PaikkaOppi is a Finnish educational innovation that uses an open web-based geographic information system (GIS) learning environment to support new pedagogical approaches in schools. It consists of a web-based GIS application and ready-made exercises. The application allows users to view and produce geographic data sets and maps of Finland. It offers diverse map data and has been used in Finnish high schools since the 2000s to teach subjects like biology and geography. Current projects aim to increase nationwide use, develop new integrated curriculum materials, and create an easy-to-use map application with open data and interfaces.

1. - from a learning environment project
to a digital tool supporting new pedagogy
in national education
www.paikkaoppi.fi
PaikkaOppi
Finnish educational innovation
supporting open science and
the information society

2. Finnish innovation
PaikkaOppi is an open
web-based learning
environment of GIS for
schools.
It consists of:
1. a web-based GIS
application that can be
used to view and
produce GI datasets.
2. a set of ready-made
exercises and project
frameworks.

3. Base map and terrain models of Finland.
PaikkaOppi offers a diverse selection of map
data presentation including:
• Orto-, aerial and satellite photos
• Hydrology (water systems)
• Geology and topography
• Land use and traffic
• Environmental research
• Nature protection areas
• Community structure and planning
• Cultural, environmental and historical maps
• Geographical grid systems
• Local names and administrative maps
Various map themes
in the PaikkaOppi
map application

4. • Financed by The Finnish National Board of Education.
• The service has been used in education of biology and geography in Finnish high schools throughout
the 2000s.
• Status and aims of current projects:
• the usage of PaikkaOppi has increased in schools nationwide making PaikkaOppi an essential
part of e-learning materials in Finnish schools at all levels and many school subjects.
• develop pedagogical materials which support the idea of an integrated curriculum alongside. The
emphasis is on student-centered and problem-based or project-learning.
• create a new map application, which is easy to bring into use in different school subjects.
• the service is produced using open source Oskari.org software. It supports the use of open data and interfacing.
Latest projects 2014-2018

5. • Datasets, pedagogical tools and
learnign materials are free for
users.
• All Finnish schools have equal
possibilities to use them.
• Schools don’t need to invest in
separate GIS-programs and maps.
Equality of education

6. • The Finnish National Board of Education
• Universities of Turku and Helsinki
• Arbonaut Ltd
• National Land Survey of Finland, Finnish Geospatial
Research Institute, Lounaispaikka, Arbonaut Oy
• Education arranged cities: Turku, Kaarina and Joensuu
• The coordination is now in the Centre for ICT in Learning,
City of Turku.
Developed in co-operation
of several actors in the 2000s

7. PaikkaOppi as a tool for integrative studies
Finnish core curriculum for basic education has been revised and
put into practice in August 2016
• Core curriculum reform 2016 opened opportunities to examine the state
and the content of GIS education in Finnish schools, while integrative
learning is an essential part of learning in primary education.
• For that purpose PaikkaOppi is now provided as a tool for integrative
learning for teacher in various subjects and for class teachers.
Integrated curriculum combines several subjects to study the same topic. It
helps students to perceive things as entities, and to see things learned in
different subjects connect to each other and the various phenomena of life.

8. Finnish core curriculum of basic education 2016
wide-ranging objectives, concerns all subjects :
Multiliteracy
Everyday life and work life skills
ICT-skills
GI services are great help in these aims
Multidisciplinarity
Thinking skills and
exploratory learning
Co-operation with
local actors
”Real life” learning cases
Participation in
social activities

9. Study of winter plants
Primary school. This excercise integrates biology,
geography, physical training and visual arts.
Students learn various winter plants and animals
using them in winter as a nourishment.
Development of the model:
Class teacher Maritta Tammio
School Piispanlähde 2nd class, Kaarina
Integrated research of chemistry and geography for upper
comprehensive school.
Analysis of water samples are taken from lakes, rivers, sea.
pH of the water, opacity, conductivity of electricity and
oxygen saturation are analysed. Results are visualised on
the PaikkaOppi map application.
Development of the model:
Teachers of biology and geography: Ari Kalske, Minna Hämäläinen,
Luostarinvuori School 9th class, Turku and MobiLuma project from the
University of Turku
Hydrological research

10. Mathematics. Pictures
of symmetrics in nature
of the city are
positioned on the map.
l
Geography and home economics.
Local food project. Where does the
food come from? Dinner is prepared
from local ingredients. Information is
collected of local farmers’ food
production practices and the effects
they have on humans, animals and
environment.
Local history. Traditional knowledge is
collected as a text, audio or video format. For
example, intervewing people that have lived in
an area for a long time. Videos are presented
in a map and then shared with residents of an
area..
Biology, environmental
studies. Mobile
herbarium. Images and
descritions of plants on
the map.
Chemistry and geography.
Study of water systems.
Samples from various waters
are compared and results are
presented on the map.
What differentiates the
samples from one another?
Mathematics and geography
Estimation of geometric shapes
in a vicinity. Create and
calculate routes, their length
and areas on the map.
Students can collect a variety of information about the surrounding area on the map

11. Project coordinator Virpi Hirvensalo
City of Turku, Centre for ICT in Learning
virpi.hirvensalo@turku.fi
www.paikkaoppi.fi
Contact: