Wednesday 13 May 2009

Japanilaiset ristikot laboratory: teaching mathematics in Finland with Japanese puzzles


Schools in Finland have a national part of the curriculum which covers most of the studies all students must have in order to graduate high school. Yet, there are also optional studies In Finland. We have nationally agreed for what we call "special advanced studies" in all the common subjects and schools are allowed to develop their own special courses for that matter. Thus, for two years in a row I have had the wonderful opportunity to include a course about Japanese puzzles to my teaching schedule at Turun iltalukio, night gymnasium for adults in Turku, Finland.

I have always thought that Japanese puzzles are the best possible option when trying to learn logical thinking and Ms. Vihervaara, the principal of Turun iltalukio, knows about my hobby solving them. She is very eager to develop our school and gave permission to try if this course would attract students. Since I am a mathematics teacher and all the courses should fit under some suitable school subject, I chose the course to be an advanced course in mathematics, the shorter syllabus.

My students are adults aged 18 to any age. Therefore my teaching differed very much from the experiments of teachers with young children. Most of mine had already tried Sudoku’s and could solve them. Some solved just easier puzzles, some wanted more advanced ones and some of them were already a bit bored of Sudoku’s. What a suitable group to get them introduced to other puzzles, especially the picture logic ones.


To read more on this article, click here.


Love Sudoku, you can play it online here.

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