QUINT Sets the Direction

The research project Quality in Nordic Teaching (QUINT) has now been formally concluded after seven years of work. The project was one of the largest Nordic research initiatives of its kind in the field of education. QUINT was funded by NordForsk in collaboration with research councils and ministries from all five Nordic countries and received a total grant of NOK 25 million.

Extensive Collaboration

QUINT brought together researchers from all five Nordic countries and established a unique collection of classroom video recordings at the lower secondary level, along with a database and analytical methods that make it possible to compare teaching practices in a new and systematic way.

Faculty members from the Faculty of Education at the University of Akureyri participated in the project: Birna Svanbjörnsdóttir, Associate Professor; Hermína Gunnþórsdóttir, Professor; Sólveig Zophoníasdóttir, Adjunct; Rúnar Sigþórsson, Professor Emeritus; and Guðmundur Engilbertsson, Associate Professor.

Differences Between Subjects

The project was highly comprehensive and produced outputs and findings that can be widely used in future policymaking, teaching practice, and further research. Overall, these extensive video-based studies and analyses have deepened researchers’ understanding of the quality of teaching in Nordic classrooms.

Among the main findings is that classroom management and student participation in Nordic classrooms are generally strong. However, there is a need for greater pedagogical support to ensure that teaching is clear and purposeful.

The study also revealed differences between subjects. In mathematics, teachers used scaffolding to a greater extent than in mother tongue instruction, the arts, and social studies. The findings also showed a considerable gap between ambitious policy goals on inclusion and actual classroom practices when it comes to the education of multilingual students.

Five Key Recommendations for the Development of Teaching Practices

During the project period, QUINT influenced policy development in the Nordic countries and will continue to do so in the future. Five key recommendations were put forward emphasizing the importance of promoting the continued development of teaching practices and systematic professional development. These include analysing classroom video recordings, implementing broader use of video in teacher education, and strengthening the connection between research and practice in schools.

There is also a need to enhance collaboration between teachers and researchers, respond more effectively to the needs of multilingual students, and ensure that teaching practices reflect strategic policy goals on inclusion.

QUINT has left a strong mark on the educational discourse of recent years, with more than 600 presentations delivered in connection with the project. In addition, the project received 73 awards and recognitions. A new book on QUINT was published in February 2026. Further information about the book is available here.

The final report and further information about the research can be accessed here.