1. The Annual Meeting of the Directors of Education in the Nordic Capitals June 12th 2006 What are the main challenges facing tomorrow's schools? Ingvar Sigurgeirsson Iceland University of Education... with a panel of experts

2. The Panel Kristín Jóhannesdóttir, vice-principal: What are the challenges facing the multi-cultural, inclusive school? Hafþór Guðjónsson, associate professor: How can we change our conceptions of learning and develop our schools as collaborative learning communities? Lilja M. Jónsdóttir, assistant professor: How can we educate students to become active participants in a democratic society? Stefán Jökulsson, assistant professor: Does teaching have a future?

3. Times are changing... faster... and faster Social and economic changes Globalization Diversification The knowledge and information explosion The new technologies New modes of communications Comsumerism Emerging health problems Environmental challenges

4. The Icelandic Background Good schools and high standard facilities Emphasis on academic subjects, textbook teaching, traditional content, seatwork Problems with the boys (more than in your countries) Differences between communities Growing interest in development teaching and assessment methods Current trends and policies: –Inclusion policies –Individualization... differentiation...

5. How do we best prepare children for an unknown world? At first glance, the idea of designing a curriculum that prepares students for the future seems unassailable. After all, education is not only for the present. Students will be living in a world different from the one they now occupy, and schools should enable them to deal with that world. As unassailable as such an idea appears, who among us can tell what the future will look like? Projections about lifestyles, social arrangements, and problems that will be encountered are notoriously difficult. Who could have predicted 20 years ago the challenges that adults address today?...... we can best prepare students for the future by enabling them to deal effectively with the present... (Elliot Eisner 2003)

6. What should schools teach? Eisner: Judgement Critical thinking Meaningful literacy Collaboration Service and contribution We might add: Expressive skills Leadership skills Creativity Initiative Handling our feelings

7. Kristín Jóhannesdóttir Vice Principal of Fellaskóli, Reykjavík What are the challenges facing the multi-cultural, inclusive school? Kristín´s background: Grunnskoli-teacher Consultant (Nordic languages) Textbook author (Danish)

8. Hafþór Guðjónsson associate professor (Curriculum and Instruction, Science Education) Iceland University of Education How can we change our conceptions of learning and develop our schools as collaborative learning communities? Hafþór´s background: Degree in biochemistry Science research High school-teacher Teacher trainer Textbook author (Science) Research: Teacher education, science teaching

9. Lilja Jónsdóttir assistant professor (Curriculum and Instruction) Iceland University of Education How can we educate students to become active participants in a democratic society? Lilja´s background: Grunnskóli-teacher Teacher trainer Advisory work for schools Research: Teacher education, the challenges facing novice teachers

10. Stefán Jökulsson assistant professor (Media Literacy) Iceland University of Education Does teaching have a future? Stefán´s background: Grunnskóli-teacher Musician Radio production Translator Research: Media literacy, communication, creativity

11. No lack of challenges (a personal view) How can we learn to build on research in our schools? How can we make schools more caring places? What can we do in order to put thinking before rote learning? How can we make what students learn in schools more interesting and relevant for more kids? »... and now to our panel