- QUINT has advanced understanding of teaching quality in Nordic classrooms through large-scale video-based studies. By adapting and validating the US based PLATO observation framework, the centre explored how PLATO could capture instructional quality across Nordic classrooms and subjects.
- Findings reveal strong classroom management and engagement, but weaker use of scaffolding techniques and explicit instruction—patterns possibly reflecting broader Nordic educational values and traditions.
- Subject and country differences also emerged: mathematics classrooms more often used scaffolding techniques than language, arts and social science, while Danish language arts classrooms demonstrated stronger discourse and deeper text engagement.
- Analyses of multilingual classrooms revealed a gap between inclusive policy ambitions and observed classroom practices. Studies in literature education introduced new reading strategies and comparative frameworks, while research on technology-rich classrooms highlighted how digital tools create more dynamic and student-empowered learning environments, though at the same time reducing traditional teacher control.
- Methodological studies alongside these findings strengthened the reliability and validity of classroom observation. QUINT’s analyses emphasized the importance of measuring teaching practices consistently at both the lesson and classroom levels, addressing rater errors, aligning theory with measurement, and continually monitoring potential biases in conceptualization, operationalization, and lesson sequencing.
- The centre achieved a shared data corpus based on Nordic classroom data, developed a controlled vocabulary for tagging classroom teaching and learning data and developed a videolibrary (i.ex. Praxis Gallery) to be used in teachers’ pre- and in-service learning.
- QUINT has pioneered innovative approaches to researcher–teacher collaboration using classroom videos and 'The Protocol for Language Arts Teaching Observation (PLATO)'. Projects across Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland—including 'Video to support excellence in teaching (VIST)', 'Linking Instruction and Student Achievement – Professional Learning Observations of Teaching (LISA PLOT)', 'Connected Classrooms PD', and 'Quality Literature Education (QUALE)'—demonstrated how shared frameworks, video-based coaching, and targeted practice interventions (such as Feedback, Modelling, and Strategy Instruction) support professional development and foster strong teaching communities. The Connected Classrooms project further highlighted the balance between teacher autonomy and structured guidance in technology-enhanced learning environments.
- In teacher education, classroom videos bridged theory and practice. Across three Nordic programs, video-based learning expanded teacher candidates’ instructional repertoire, enhanced field supervision discussions, and facilitated the transfer of targeted teaching practices. In Norway, these efforts are being scaled through the national Praxis Gallery video library, providing a sustainable resource for practice-based teacher education.
Impact story
Understanding what happens in classrooms is essential for improving teaching, but technical and ethical barriers often prevent cross-border collaboration and data sharing.
The centres new methods of data sharing such as the Teaching Learning Video Lab allows researchers from all Nordic countries to exchange classroom video data while maintaining privacy protection. This open data approach has already enabled new studies in education. The Norwegian dataset alone has supported 50 master’s theses and numerous international collaborations.
“We’ve seen huge demand for our classroom data and we've had major impact at policy level in the Nordic countries, particularly in Norway, Denmark and Iceland. QUINT researchers have been used as experts in national initiatives and have participated in the design of national curricula and new measures for ensuring teacher quality", says Kirsti Klette.
By pioneering Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR) data practices in education, QUINT enhanced Nordic research capacity, fostered transparency, and strengthens evidence-based policymaking in schools.