In June 2022, the Faculty of Foreign Languages at the Open University of China (OUC) launched a reform project focused on leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance smart English teaching.
The objective is to investigate the application of AI in delivering personalized learning trajectories for English learners within the expansive framework of open education.
On 15-16 December 2023, the "OUC Smart Teaching Workshop and Summary on the Pilot Project on Artificial Intelligence Empowering English Smart Teaching Reform" was held in Haikou City, Hainan Province. The event was attended online by Liu Xuanxuan, deputy secretary of the Party Committee and secretary of the Discipline Inspection Committee of the OUC, who delivered a speech. Additionally, Zhan Xingwen, vice president of the OUC Hainan Branch, gave a speech. The event was presided over by Zheng Jipeng, vice dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages at the OUC.
Liu Xuanxuan emphasised that the OUC is vigorously implementing national strategic initiatives in the digital arena. Focused on advancing the cause of open education and striving towards the goal of "building a digital university that connects the world," the OUC is dedicated to establishing the OUC Smart Teaching brand. This initiative, particularly the reform of English teaching empowered by artificial intelligence, has spurred innovation in educational and teaching models, fostered a community of digital learning, propelled the development of the teaching staff within the OUC system, and fully utilized the system's unique operational strengths. Smart teaching has thus reached a pivotal new phase.
To further advance teaching reform, Liu Xuanxuan set forth three key expectations. First, to harness the institutional benefits for the sustained growth of open education by enhancing system-wide collaboration; second, to embrace the concept of smart teaching for the continual refinement of open education through innovative education and teaching models; and third, to bolster teachers' digital proficiency, thereby facilitating the transformation and upgrade of open education through professional development of the teaching staff.
Zheng Jipeng has summarised the work of smart teaching reform and has officially released a series of achievements in education reform. These include the "Student Manual for Artificial Intelligence Empowered English Smart Teaching Reform," the "Teacher Manual for Artificial Intelligence Empowered English Smart Teaching Reform," and the "Compilation of Achievements in Artificial Intelligence Empowering English Smart Teaching Reform." He stated that these publications will play a significant role in enhancing the development of teaching staff, improving teachers' professional qualities and teaching abilities, boosting the individual development and practical skills of students, and providing improved teaching plans and personalized guidance.
Three teacher and student representatives who participated in the Smart English Teaching Reform spoke successively, sharing their experiences. Concurrently, the Presidents Forum on Digital Development was held, themed "What Can Open Education Do in Building a Leading Country in Education". The discussions encompassed multiple dimensions, including the contextual background of establishing a leading nation in digitalisation, the strategic framework for the digitalisation of education, the digital transformation of open education, and the reform of intelligent teaching models.
During the two-year smart teaching reform initiative, which emphasised learning promotion through reform and competitions, a variety of activities were organised. These included a series of teacher training workshops, the selection of core English literacy accomplishments among students, and the recognition of outstanding academic papers authored by teachers. This event also featured an awards ceremony for both teachers and students who excelled in various competitions, along with commendations for the pilot branches that spearheaded the teaching reform efforts.
Furthermore, student representatives from these pilot branches demonstrated their English proficiency in creative ways. Their performances encompassed a range of activities, including singing English songs, dubbing, recitation, and a combination of singing and dancing. These diverse displays not only showcased their language skills but also highlighted the effectiveness of the innovative teaching methods introduced during the reform.
The goal of this event is to fulfil the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education, to further the smart teaching reform at OUC, and to explore innovative approaches for leveraging digital technology in enhancing English smart teaching. Additionally, it aims to support the growth of digital education and contribute to the "OUC Approach," a model for positioning our country as a leader in the field of education.
Written by He Man; photographed by Zhang Jun, OUC