Objective: Students will research, analyze, and present on various aspects of the educational system, focusing on comparing educational practices and policies between different countries.

Materials Needed:

• Internet access for research
• Presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides)
• Access to a library or educational databases
• Poster boards and markers (optional for visual presentations)

Duration: 2 weeks (spread over several class periods)

Procedure:

Session 1: Introduction to the Project (45 minutes)

1. Warm-Up (5 minutes):
   • Begin with a class discussion on students’ experiences and thoughts about education.
   • Prompt questions like: “What do you think makes a good education system?” and “How do you think education varies across different countries?”
2. Project Introduction (10 minutes):
   • Introduce the project goals and outline.
   • Explain that students will be working in groups to research and present on education systems from different countries.
3. Group Formation and Topic Assignment (15 minutes):
   • Divide students into small groups.
   • Assign each group a country to research (e.g., Finland, Japan, USA, Kenya, South Korea).
4. Research Guidelines (15 minutes):
   • Provide guidelines on what aspects to research:
     • Educational structure (primary, secondary, tertiary education)
     • Curriculum and pedagogical strategies
     • Assessment methods
     • Teacher training and professional development
     • Educational technology
     • Special education and inclusion policies
     • Government policies and funding
   • Share credible resources and databases for research.

Session 2: Research and Data Collection (90 minutes)

1. Research Phase (45 minutes):
   • Students work in their groups to gather information on their assigned countries.
   • Encourage students to use a variety of sources, including academic articles, educational websites, and government reports.
2. Organizing Information (45 minutes):
   • Groups organize their findings and begin creating an outline for their presentation.
   • Teachers circulate to provide guidance and support as needed.

Session 3: Developing the Presentation (90 minutes)

1. Presentation Preparation (45 minutes):
   • Students use their research to create a multimedia presentation.
   • Include visuals, data charts, and key points to make the presentation engaging.
2. Rehearsal and Feedback (45 minutes):
   • Groups practice their presentations.
   • Teachers and peers provide constructive feedback.

Session 4: Presentation Day (90 minutes)

1. Group Presentations (60 minutes):
   • Each group presents their findings to the class.
   • Allow time for a Q&A session after each presentation.
2. Class Discussion (30 minutes):
   • Facilitate a discussion on the similarities and differences between the education systems presented.
   • Discuss what elements could be adopted to improve the local education system.

Homework:

• Write a reflection essay on what they learned from the project and how it has changed their perspective on education.

Assessment:

• Evaluate students based on their research skills, the quality of their presentation, and their ability to work collaboratively.
• Assess the reflection essays for insight and depth of understanding.