Lectures and sightseeing

1 Educational work in Reykjavík pre-schools and compulsory schools. Lecture.
2 Individualised and co-operative learning. Lecture.
3 Inclusion. Lecture.
4 IT in schools. Lecture.
5 Recreational activities. Lecture.
6 Visit to primary school.
7 Visit to pre-school.
8 Visit to youth centre/youth recreational centre.

The City of Reykjavík runs an ambitious educational policy for pre-schools and compulsory schools (grade 1 to 10) and has formulated a 10-year vision for the schools in tune with global trends. Educational authorities in Reykjavík emphasise individualised and co-operative learning. The foundation for this ideology can be found in legislation on pre-schools and compulsory schools. Individualised education departs from traditional classroom teaching and places the student in focus. According to Icelandic legislation, the pre-school is the first level of schooling, and individual plans are increasingly made for each child. An assessment tool has been prepared, in co-operation with compulsory school headmasters, to evaluate the schools' progress to individualised learning and support further plans. The most recently built compulsory school in Reykjavík was designed and organised according to ideas about individualised learning.

The policy of inclusion has caught substantial international attention. An effort is made to ensure that children with special needs have access to schooling within the general pre-school and compulsory school system. These efforts include increased consultation and in-service training for teachers, a new approach to learning, increased funds for special education and employing para-professionals in schools. One aspect in the implementation of this policy was the integration of deaf and hearing children in one of the city’s compulsory schools. This development project has gained substantial interest internationally and is known as the “Icelandic method”.

The Internet learning environment facilitates adapting plans to individuals and enables the teacher to create a study unit for student groups. Infomentor is a Web-based Management Information System, designed to serve the School Community. It eases the adminstrative work of headmasters and teachers, promotes quality teaching and simplifies reporting and information flow both within the school and to students and parents. Infomentor offers a unique pedagogic approach, with tools that promote individual learning (such as individual curriculum planning) and individual evaluation (such as portfolio). In the past few years, a distance education language centre has been operated for advanced students in foreign languages. Students are distributed among schools in the city and around the country and work on projects at their own speed. Experiments have also been made in the teaching of optional subjects for adolescents in many of the city’s schools.

At the close of a normal school day, there are various social and recreational activities, which have educational value, available to children. Emphasis is placed on active participation, learning while doing, democracy and equality. Particular attention is paid to encouraging the participation of individuals who are at a disadvantage due to disability or social circumstances and ensuring that they have equal opportunities. The social activities with young people are intended to strengthen social development and a healthy lifestyle, and emphasis is placed on preventive measures for negative behaviour such as bullying and teasing.

 Learn more about pre-schools and compulsory schools in Reykjavík