Focus on practical training
NOK 127 million for practical teaching aids
Practical training
At a time when more and more teaching methods are being digitized, Norwegian authorities have put practical training in focus. The government has announced its proposal to earmark an impressive NOK 127 million to support the purchase of learning materials that will revolutionize how students learn. This comes as a breath of fresh air in the world of education, and we want to explore what this means for students and schools across the country.
More hands-on learning in school
Minister of Education Tonje Brenna explains it clearly: "Everyday school life is characterized by too much sitting still and too little variation and practical learning. Schools across the country report that they need more resources for equipment and alternative learning arenas in order to give students the opportunity to learn with both head and hands."
This initiative is about bringing a new dimension to education by giving students the opportunity to learn through hands-on experience. Curricula will become richer and more varied, and it is in everyone's interest to ensure that students have the necessary resources for this learning.
Financial support for schools
The money set aside for practical training will be distributed to the municipalities as earmarked grants based on the number of pupils in grades 5-10. This means that schools with approximately 1,000 pupils will receive over NOK 300,000 in funding. Even the smallest municipalities will be guaranteed a minimum amount of NOK 10,000. This ensures that no pupils are left out of this important initiative, regardless of where they live.
Interest compensation for major investments
In addition to direct support for teaching materials, the government will introduce an interest compensation scheme for major investments in premises and equipment. This will entail a total of NOK 8 billion in loans to municipalities over eight years (NOK 1 billion per year). In 2024, around NOK 30 million will be set aside for this scheme.
This will free up significant funds that can be used to improve facilities for practical training. School kitchens, craft rooms, music rooms and other equipment will be able to be upgraded, and schools will have their interest costs covered when they take out loans for these purposes.
Digitization of learning materials
The government is also looking at the need to digitize teaching materials. With a historic investment of NOK 40 million, work on digital skills and infrastructure in kindergartens and schools will be strengthened. This will help teachers and pupils find good digital teaching materials, while balancing digital teaching with more traditional methods.
Emphasis is placed on privacy and universal design for learning materials, while taking into account the rapid development of technology such as artificial intelligence.
In summary
This significant investment in hands-on training and support for the purchase of learning materials is an encouraging development for schools across Norway. It gives students the opportunity to learn with their hands and heads, and ensures that they have the necessary resources at their disposal. At the same time, the digitization of learning materials is being strengthened to meet modern teaching needs.
This is an exciting time for education in Norway, and it looks like students and schools will benefit from this ambitious initiative.
As one of the only producers of hands-on learning materials, we at MakeKit are following this initiative and are excited to see how these funds will be used to improve our education system.
You can read more on Regjeringen.no in the link at the top of the page.
Solutions for hands-on learning
Here is a small selection of good teaching aids for practical learning and technological mastery. They are designed and adapted to LK20 and the new curricula, as well as based on the value base of education.
All these learning materials are made in Norway and made from sustainable materials.
Bubble:bit
Meet the robot that lights up your day with an LED bulb, welcomes you with a friendly wave and blows bubbles of pure excitement. Bubble:bit is the best introduction to micro:bit and its possibilities
Snow:bit
There's nothing like the joy of playing in the snow. And with Snow:bit, we've taken that joy to a whole new level by blending the magic of micro:bit programming with the innovative WonderKit board and Nordic craftsmanship. The result? Your very own motorized snow racer. Get ready for some snowy fun!
Wheel:bit
Wheel:bit is an affordable, versatile, 3-wheeled car that can be turned into a drawing machine or a soccer-playing robot. Wheel:bit can drive autonomously or be controlled remotely by another micro:bit. Use your creativity and convert the vehicle into a garbage cleaning robot or your very own design.
Air:bit
Meet the world's first micro:bit drone, Air:bit. Learn about electronics, batteries, motors and propellers as you build the drone. Fly intuitively using the motion sensor in micro:bit. Extend the experience with a WiFi camera, or create your own design using a 3D printer or laser cutter.
