Patterns of instruction in Finnish and Norwegian lower secondary mathematics classrooms

Abstract

This paper focuses on patterns of instructional practices in mathematics classrooms in two Nordic contexts, Finland and Norway. While sharing some key features in terms of ways of organizing schooling and education, these two contexts also exhibit interesting differences in instruction at the classroom level. In using a standardized coding manual to systematically analyze features of instruction in 16 classrooms, eight in Helsinki, and eight in Oslo, we found that whole-class instruction dominated in Oslo, and individual seatwork was the main instructional activity in Helsinki. Instruction in Helsinki showed more evidence of clear instructional explanations, connection of new knowledge to existing knowledge, and explicit learning goals; Oslo students had greater opportunities to participate in classroom discourse and peer discussions. This study contributes to the understanding of how similar contexts enact distinct instructional patterns in the classroom, and how these can be related to the aspects of instructional quality.