Editor's Note: In order to further study Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC); carry out the spirit of the speeches of the general secretary at the National Conference on Ideological and Political Education and China's National Education Conference; implement the fundamental task of ethical education, further strengthen the construction of university teaching,
enhance the abilities of head teachers, and give play to their role in the implementation of teaching processes, the Open University of China (OUC) has selected 618 head teachers who have made outstanding contributions to the cause of education at the OUC for this purpose.
A head teacher disseminates the OUC's teaching principles and learner-development model, facilitates the implementation of teaching processes, organises student activities, and provides comprehensive learning services, making up part of the teacher team that keeps the closest contacts with OUC students. The OUC website and its official WeChat account will present the accomplishments of some of the top head teachers in order to publicise their roles as pacesetters, promote respect for teachers and their work within the OUC, enhance their feelings of responsibility and mission, and improve the quality of the management and services provided by teacher teams at the OUC.
Tang Yongxia, a Geography graduate from Hebei Normal University, is a senior teacher. Over the last seven years, since beginning work in the Huailai School of the Hebei Branch in 2012, she has been a class tutor in the junior-college open-education Primary-school Education programme. 100 percent of the students in each class have graduated, and 50 percent of them gone on to further their studies in undergraduate programmes; none of them have dropped out. She was awarded in 2018 by the Huailai People’s Government. For three consecutive years, in 2016, 2017 and 2018, she was recognised for her contributions to enrollment by Zhangjiakou Radio and TV University (RTVU), and was named an “Excellent Head Teacher” by Huailai Radio and TV University.
Concern for the ideological development of students motivates her to concentrate on their ideological and political education
Most open-education students are ambitious young adults who have started to work a short time earlier. They have to work hard to support their families while also enhancing their skills, and are under great pressure both at work and at home, coping with financial strains while also burdened with school work. Tang Yongxia is sympathetic with them, concerned about the details of their lives, mild in her approach, and draws on her own experience when she teaches, all in order to keep them optimistic and determined.
Patient in managing students and dealing with their needs
It is a teacher's basic responsibility to be “tireless in teaching”. Since open-education students have to learn independently online while holding down jobs at the same time, they are pressed for time. To ensure her effectiveness, she oversees student management on her own. Whenever she takes over a new class, she communicates with each student by phone beforehand, and sets up a WeChat group. She also uses her free time after work to ensure that her students acquire their learning materials on time, and in order to give solid guidance in relation to using the online system, she runs through its operations herself, ensures that all the tutors have done the same, and then communicates with the class about it via WeChat. She solicits feedback from the students in order to keep enhancing the system, and they in turn are deeply impressed by how kind and considerate she is toward them.
Enthusiastic in seeking solutions to problems and serving well
“People doing good deeds do not need to promote themselves; others will do it for them”. Since open education caters to workers, enrolment takes place during the winter and summer holidays. This is why teachers take time from their vacations to help their students. Tang Yongxia stays in touch with anyone planning to enroll, regardless of whether or not that person is one of her own students, and she does her best to help him or her deal with problems. Over time, with her enthusiasm well-known, former students have made a point of introducing new ones to her, and this has made her effective at bringing new enrolment to the school.
Taking Responsibility to ensure smooth progress and maintain processes
In accordance with requirements, Tang Yongxia urges students to attend face-to-face tutorials and participate in collective activities, helping them take advantage of what RTVU education has to offer. The Entrance Guide for Open Education is a course designed to introduce new students to the learning requirements and characteristics of RTVUs, and to help them manage their learning over the course of their studies. Therefore, Tang Yongxia places great emphasis on the first face-to-face tutorial, and all students are strenuously urged to attend. At the same time, she strongly recommends they attend the school opening ceremonies, since, as their first collective activity, it is conducive to fostering their “team spirit”. Moreover, she encourages everyone to participate in the examination-guidance sessions so that they become familiar with the Open University of China (OUC) examination system. One of the prominent features of open and distance education is autonomous individual learning, and a credit system has been set up as part of this. It is stipulated in this system that the credits obtained for each elective are added to the school records of students within the eight years that their status is in effect. To ensure that most students are able to complete their courses and receive the credits required for graduation within the two and a half years that normailly takes,Tang Yongxia focuses on helping them choose the right courses. At the beginning of each semester, she reports to the management any students who have quit or suspended their schooling and applies for approval of this. She helps students transfer, getting in touch with the RTVU nearest them and completing formalities in order to help them continue their studies.
Motivation to make greater efforts at self-improvement
“A workman must keep his tools sharp to do good work.” Since open education has set, high standards for the quality of its tutors, it is imperative for them to keep up with their fields and with operations procedures and requirements. Tang Yongxia herself is active in maintaining her knowledge, teaching competence, and ability to solve practical problems at work.
As a head teacher, Tang Yongxia will continue to be enthusiastic about community open education, working hard to learn new teaching skills and to connect with her students.
By OUC News Network