To Copenhagen and Beyond: Beyond Copenhagen Part 2

Week 9 (28/03/16) – Professional and Cultural

It is hard to believe that this week saw the end of the first half of our semester at UCC Zahle. With St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, group presentations and preparations for our Easter travels, it has been a very busy week and the sense of finality that came with finishing classes for Easter made me realise how quickly time is moving on!

St. Patrick's Day in Copenhagen

The week began with a trip to the Danish Learning Festival. This annual event boasts an exhibition area with a wide range of educational materials and is open to all those involved in the education of children and young people in Denmark. I thought it was particularly interesting to talk to a range of experts and discover different teaching techniques connected to children with SEN, the use of ICT in the classroom and the teaching of phonics. The General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (2011) encourage the development of creative and innovative approaches to teaching and, in competence 20, outline the expectation that is upon teachers to effectively use a range of strategies, approaches and resources to promote high levels of learning and achievement. The festival was beneficial, therefore, in providing me with ideas and inspiration and, when I return home, I will attempt to integrate some of the techniques I have acquired into my lessons.

Learning about the use of ICT in the classroom

Sensory equipment for children with autism

Gamla Stan (the Old Town)

Traditional Swedish 'Fika'

Danish author Anderson (1868, p. 434) makes a bold statement, noting that, “To travel is to live.” Whilst there is definitely more to life than travelling, having a week off university and the whole of Scandinavia at our doorstep, we wanted to embrace the opportunity to explore new territory. So, on Friday, we packed up our rucksacks and suitcases and boarded the first of three flights that would take us on an 8-day tour around Scandinavia. Our first stop was the beautiful city of Stockholm, or rather Skavsta, a minute airport in the middle of a Swedish forest which was a 90 minute bus journey away from Stockholm…I suppose this catch was reasonable considering the fact that our flights only cost us £4 each in the first place! The bus journey had its advantages, however, as we enjoyed a relaxing drive through the Swedish countryside and saw fields for the first time since leaving Northern Ireland; whilst this scenery was very picturesque, it served to make me realise how much I truly appreciate (and miss) the “Green green grass of home”! Stockholm itself was beautiful and we enjoyed visiting Gamla Stan, the historic part of the city, learning about the infamous ‘Pippy Longstocking’ in true primary teacher style at Junibacken and belting out some classics as we danced on the stage with Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid at the ABBA museum. One of the highlights was a boat journey around the Stockholm archipelago, a cluster of small islands which make up the second-largest archipelago in the Baltic Sea. A trip to Sweden would not be complete, however, without experiencing ‘Fika’; an important practice in Swedish culture, protected by law, that is dedicated to drinking coffee and taking a break (Visit Sweden, 2016). The nature of ‘Fika’ is characterised by ‘slowing down’; it is very distinguishable from the rushed coffee breaks that we are used to in Northern Ireland and re-iterates the relaxed Scandinavian way of life that we have also observed in Denmark. I have to admit that I could very quickly get used to a cappuccino and a cinnamon bun a couple of times a day; perhaps it is best that it remains a Swedish tradition!