To further explore and implement the guiding principles from the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and to build on the successes of the thematic education campaign, the Faculty of Education at the Open University of China (OUC) recently organised a seminar in Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province.
This seminar aimed to enhance the quality of preschool and primary school education, fortify the establishment of a top-tier professional teacher team, and bolster the advancement of high-quality open education.
Li Song, a member of the Party Committee and vice president of the OUC, was in attendance and gave a keynote speech. The seminar was chaired by Zhang Xia, the dean of the Faculty of Education. The event saw participation from 97 key personnel and dissertation supervisors from the OUC's Faculty of Education, as well as representatives from 40 affiliated branches and colleges. The format of the seminar included expert lectures, specialized training sessions, experience-sharing opportunities, and group discussions.
The 2023 OUC seminar on Preschool and Primary School Education programmes, as well as training for dissertation supervisors, was held in Zhuhai.
Li Song delivering a speech
Li Song emphasised that the OUC must prioritize the essential task of fostering virtue through education if we aim to position China as a leading nation in education. Adapting teaching to the needs of the students and grounding educational practices deeply within the vast landscape of China are both crucial. The OUC should steadfastly uphold the educational philosophy that one can learn anytime, anywhere. There's a need to approach operations with a holistic view of the entire OUC education system, and to do so with openness. Pursuing excellence and focusing on quality improvement are imperative to ensure both the high quality of education and sensible growth in enrolment numbers. Li Song also underscored that teachers must never forget their primary mission: to nurture talent for the Party and the nation. They should remain confident and strong, moving forward with both courage and innovation. Continued efforts in reforming the curriculum, teaching methods, and assessment are vital. By doing so, we inch closer to establishing China as a premier educational powerhouse and furthering the grand ambition of national rejuvenation.
Professor Zhao Jianhua and Associate Professor Zhao Guoqing making keynote presentations
Professor Zhao Jianhua from the Future Education Research Centre at Southern University of Science and Technology delivered a presentation titled "The Future of Education in the Perspective of AI and Digital Transformation." He explored the influence of artificial intelligence on the education industry at large and provided insights into how educators should strategize their teaching methods and career trajectories amidst the digital transformation. Meanwhile, Associate Professor Zhao Guoqing from the Faculty of Education at Beijing Normal University presented "Teaching for Thinking in the Era of Artificial Intelligence." He elucidated the core concept of teaching for thinking, the trajectory of educational reforms in light of AI's impact, and how cultivating thought processes can enhance teaching methods.
Professor Wang Lu and Dr. Chen Fengying giving specialized training on dissertation supervision
Four dissertation supervisors from the branches of Anhui, Beijing, Sichuan, and Guangzhou sharing experience
Wang Lu, vice chairman of the Education Sub-committee of the OUC Degree Assessment Committee and a professor at Guangzhou Open University, alongside Chen Fengying, the secretary-general of the Education Sub-committee and a doctoral faculty member of the Faculty of Education, provided specialized training using exemplary dissertation cases. They emphasised the criteria, academic standards, and common challenges in writing education-focused dissertations. Moreover, four educators from the Anhui, Beijing, Sichuan, and Guangzhou branches shared insights on supervising dissertations, discussing topic selection, writing standards, and the defense process.
Zhang Feng and Wang Haiping providing an overview of the development of Preschool Education and Primary School Education programmes
Seven programme leaders from various branches and the Experimental School sharing experiences in teaching reform and innovation
Zhang Feng, the vice dean of the OUC Faculty of Education, and Wang Haiping, the head of the School of Basic Education, provided insights into the ongoing developments, curriculum design, resource development, and innovative teaching reforms in preschool and primary school education. Additionally, seven program leaders from the OUC Experimental School and its branches in Hubei, Sichuan, Fujian, Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi, and Hebei discussed their accomplishments and experiences in educational reform. Their discussions spanned topics from ideological and political curriculum development to the dynamics of online teaching teams, innovations in digital learning resources, and integrated practice reforms.
Group discussion
During the group discussion, the attending teachers delved into the fundamental requirements for teaching in higher continuing education disciplines. They discussed challenges in dissertation supervision and potential solutions, as well as ways to enhance course assessment and teaching quality in a digital context. They also offered insightful suggestions on how the Faculty of Education can optimize coordination and management of educational activities within the OUC system.
The meeting offered clear themes and was rich in content, fostering meaningful exchanges among preschool and primary school educators within the OUC system. It delivered timely updates on teaching strategies from the headquarters, showcased practical achievements in educational reform, and set a strong foundation for the digitalisation and high-quality advancement of our majors.
By He Jiaqi, OUC