Seongdong-gu Lifelong Learning Sample YouTube Lectures Gain Popularity

Providing Opportunities to Instructors Who Lost Their Lecterns by Utilizing the Lifelong Learning Instructor Pool

‘Non-regular Special Lecture’ Video Posted at Seongdong-gu Lifelong Learning Center

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jeong Won-oh) is gaining popularity among residents by presenting a sample lifelong learning lecture series called ‘Bi(Be) Jeonggyu Special Lectures’ on its YouTube channel to meet the residents' academic enthusiasm.

‘Bi(Be) Jeonggyu Special Lectures’ includes a dual meaning of ‘~be’ and ‘before,’ signifying ‘becoming a regular special lecture’ and ‘a special lecture before a regular course.’

In May, the district recruited lifelong learning instructors. The recruitment was conducted by submitting lecture demonstration videos, and out of 43 submitted videos, 35 videos deemed publicly shareable were selected.

A modest honorarium was paid for the selected videos. This was intended to provide opportunities for instructors who lost their platforms such as cultural centers due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

The selected videos were edited and refined into lifelong learning content and uploaded to the Seongdong-gu Lifelong Learning Center YouTube channel. From basic literacy courses teaching Chinese characters and English to vocational skills such as real estate and barista training, as well as cultural arts and humanities education including tea ceremony, Nanta drumming, and calligraphy, residents can access desired lectures anytime and anywhere without classification by type.

A district official stated, “Considering views and ‘likes,’ highly responsive content will be offered as offline lectures in the future,” adding, “It is expected to be an opportunity to verify instructors’ capabilities through voting and simultaneously open courses that actively reflect residents’ demands.”

Jeong Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “This lecture series will be a modest but meaningful gift to residents thirsty for new lectures and supporting instructors,” and added, “We plan to expand customized lectures in various fields that can be easily accessed anywhere, and we will become a Seongdong-gu that makes greater efforts to develop learner-centered online and offline integrated education, using the COVID-19 crisis as a stepping stone.”