Sharing School-Specific Practices Pursuing the Values of Innovation Schools
[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education recently announced on the 20th that it held the ‘Bittgoeul Innovation School Elementary Regional Council’ under the theme of ‘Sharing School-Specific Practice Cases Pursuing the Value of Innovation Schools.’
The ‘Bittgoeul Innovation School Elementary Regional Council’ was promoted as a follow-up activity to the council held from July 28 to 30, which focused on ‘Sharing Concerns and Seeking Solutions for Remote Classes.’
At the council, each elementary school reflected on the first semester’s remote classes and shared concerns about interactions with students, feedback, learning difficulties, knowledge-centered education, and emotional support, striving to find better solutions.
Gwangju Sangmu Elementary School applied the ‘Creating a Daily Life Rule Rhythm’ project to remote classes for 6th-grade students to enhance their self-directedness.
Through online activities, they continuously conducted attendance checks at 9 a.m., morning exercises, study content guidance, online learning sessions, and organizing learned content. Additionally, as another aspect of self-directed learning, they carried out the ‘Online Concert’ project.
Students steadily practiced one musical instrument and were able to boost their confidence and sense of achievement through instrument performances in the ‘Online Concert.’
In the case of Gwangju Bongju Elementary School, teachers made efforts to communicate with students through e-learning platform comments, KakaoTalk, group chats, and phone calls to reduce learning gaps and deficits among students.
They also conducted the ‘Dream Camp During Vacation’ for students struggling with remote classes.
Through the five-day ‘Dream Camp During Vacation,’ students were able to enjoy classes they usually found difficult. Not stopping there, in the second semester, they are helping students develop interest and enjoyment in learning through supplementary instruction linked with emergency care.
Gwangju Dongsan Elementary School operated an educational community model through collaboration, which proved effective during remote classes. Teachers at Gwangju Dongsan jointly developed the ‘Math Stepping Stone’ materials to ensure students did not miss basic learning.
During the remote class period, they also carried out the ‘Small but Certain Happiness (So-hwak-haeng)’ project, where students challenged themselves with small but desired activities at home such as exercise, singing, cooking, and crafting, accumulating successful experiences.
A student who participated in the ‘So-hwak-haeng’ project said, “Although I am alone at home now, I didn’t feel alone because the teacher kept showing interest and cheering me on, which gave me strength.”
Munheung Elementary School held video conferences with student council officers and conducted events that could bring joy to students, such as posing in front of thermal cameras and contactless games in the COVID-19 era.
A teacher at Munheung Elementary said, “In the first semester, we adapted to remote classes, which were tried for the first time due to COVID-19, and gave much thought to classes that could help students,” adding, “In the second semester, we plan to more actively promote club activities, autonomous activities, and project activities that embody the innovation school values of ‘shared publicness and community.’”
A Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education official said, “It was a difficult time not only for teachers preparing remote classes but also for parents and students who shared care and education at home,” and added, “Based on the discussions shared at the Bittgoeul Innovation School Elementary Regional Council, we plan to hold the ‘Bittgoeul Innovation School Forum’ on November 18 under the theme ‘Rethinking the Essence of Education in the COVID-19 Era (tentative).’”
He continued, “We hope the ‘Bittgoeul Innovation School Forum’ will be an opportunity to share various cases where the community upheld and practiced the values of innovation schools during this era of transition.”
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