To conduct the thematic education campaign on studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and to gain a deep understanding of the situations in Preschool and Primary-school Education programmes offered by regular higher education institutions, higher vocational institutions, as well as the open education school-operating system, a delegation comprising members from the Preschool Education and Primary-school Education programmes of the Faculty of Education visited Zhejiang Jinhua Polytechnic, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua Open University, Quzhou Open University, and Zhejiang Open University from 31st May to 3rd June for field research.

Zhang Feng, vice dean of the Faculty of Education, and Wang Haiping, head of the Faculty's School of Foundations in Education, participated in the research.

During the symposium hosted by Jinhua Polytechnic, which focused on the experience of developing the Preschool Education programme, Zhang presented the establishment, development of relevant resources, and the teaching model reforms implemented in the Preschool Education programme within the OUC system. Chen Zhi and Yu Junshuai, vice deans of the Normal School at Jinhua Polytechnic, discussed various aspects of the specialty group's development in Preschool Education at the college. This included curriculum planning, development of digital course resources, implementation of practical training, and fostering integration between industry and education.

Delegation of OUC Faculty of Education visited Zhejiang Jinhua Polytechnic for investigations

Delegation of the OUC Faculty of Education conducted field research at the practical training classroom for Preschool Education in Zhejiang Jinhua Polytechnic

During the symposium hosted by Zhejiang Normal University, which focused on the experience of developing the Preschool Education programme, Zhang shared insights into the establishment and development of the Primary-school Education programme within the OUC system. Wang discussed the experience and innovations in developing digital course resources implemented by the OUC system. Huang Xiao, Dean of the School of Education at Zhejiang Normal University, and Chen Dianbin, former Chief of the Primary-school Department of the School, presented on the innovative approaches and experiences in programme development.

Delegation of the OUC Faculty of Education visited Zhejiang Normal University

Delegation of the OUC Faculty of Education conducted a field research at the behavior observation room in Zhejiang Normal University

During the symposiums hosted by Jinhua Open University, Quzhou Open University, and Zhejiang Open University, the research team investigated various issues. These included the enrollment status of the branches and study centers of the open education universities, curriculum development and reforms in teaching models, the operational status of teaching teams, the utilization of informatized environments, career development opportunities for teachers, and teacher counseling. Additionally, the research team conducted interviews with representatives of teachers and students from specific programmes to gain a deep understanding of the faculty's teaching experiences, as well as the challenges and difficulties students encounter during their learning journey. They attentively listened to feedback and advice from the branches concerning curriculum planning, curriculum framework development, resource creation, practical teaching, assessment methods, dissertation guidance and writing, and the functionalities of learning platforms.

Delegation of the OUC Faculty of Education visited Jinhua Open University

Delegation of the Faculty of Education visited Quzhou Open University

Delegation of the OUC Faculty of Education visited Zhejiang Open University

Through the research, the faculty in Preschool Education and Primary-school Education gained a comprehensive understanding of the innovative practices implemented in these programs within regular higher education institutions, higher vocational institutions, and the OUC system. They explored areas such as talent training, curriculum development, practical training, teachers' career development, integration between industry and education, collaboration between schools and enterprises, and the construction of informatized platforms. Additionally, they identified existing problems and shortcomings related to the operation of these two programs.

Written by He Jiaqi, photographed by Zhang Huirui, OUC