The students participating in the PISA 2006 Scientific Literacy Assessment were asked:
“When learning school science topics at school, how often do the following activities occur?”
Finnish students consider that they frequently perform experiments and practical work by
following the instructions of a teacher (or a workbook). Both teachers and workbooks guide
students to make conclusions from experiments they have conducted. These activities
happen on average more frequently in Finland than in other OECD countries. Teachers also
actively present demonstrations. However, students are seldom allowed to design their own
experiments or do investigations to test their own ideas. Finnish students think that in most
lessons they are given opportunities to explain their ideas and express their opinions about
topics. This kind of atmosphere is important for learning and motivation. In the classroom,
a class debate or discussion occurs in some lessons. Finnish students consider that teachers
are active members of the science class. They frequently explain how science ideas can be
applied to a number of different phenomena and for understanding the world at large.
Students also encountered the relevance of “broad science” concepts to their lives through
explanations by their classroom teachers.