PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES IN THE USAGE OF ICT IN BIOLOGY AND GEOGRAPHY IN SCHOOLS AND TEACHER EDUCATION IN FINLAND

The purpose of this article is to introduce the Finnish education system and to describe how Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been integrated into it, with a special focus on Biology and Geography education. In the article, we describe first how national strategies regarding education in the information society and the implementation of these strategies have promoted the use of ICT in the Finnish education sector. The authors then present an overview of the Finnish education system. Thereafter, we move into pedagogical studies in Biology and Geography in the University of Oulu. Finally, we discuss, based on a case study in Northern Finland, the conceptions, experiences and attitudes of senior high school and university students on eLearning in Biology and Geography.