[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education announced on the 27th that it held the ‘2020 1st Gwangju Education Online Forum.’
In order to promote stable education in the current era and respond to the changing future society, about 300 people participated in real-time in this online forum. The recorded video can be viewed on the Gwangju Office of Education’s YouTube channel.
The first forum, held under the theme ‘Key Directions of Gwangju Education in the COVID-19 Era,’ featured presentations by Professor Lee Doohyu of Chonnam National University and Professor Kim Jongwon of Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology.
Following this, designated discussions were held with participants including sophomore student Kim Hyewon from Seolwol Girls’ High School, parents, and representatives of teacher organizations.
Professor Lee Doohyu stated, “To respond to the accelerated changes in education caused by the COVID-19 crisis, it is necessary to set short-term tasks such as addressing educational disparities, fostering community spirit, democratic citizenship education, and redefining the functions of schools. For the mid- to long-term, it is essential to establish a learner-centered education system, innovate curricula, and strengthen the role of teachers.”
Professor Kim Jongwon suggested, “The future society will expand around people to include society, environment, energy, and unknown realms. Strategic education policies are needed in the emerging fields of artificial intelligence, the open and connected data world, various infrastructures, and platform ecosystems. To this end, smart classrooms based on infrastructure platforms, eco-friendly energy schools, and sustainable school space innovation projects are necessary.”
The discussants reviewed Gwangju education in the COVID-19 era and freely debated various aspects such as curriculum, teaching and learning method improvements, and resolving educational disparities to determine future directions.
Following this, opinions from online real-time participants were collected during a Q&A session.
Superintendent Jang Huiguk said, “This online forum was prepared to actively respond to educational changes arising from the COVID-19 crisis. I hope that education will go beyond student-centered to student-led, providing learning opportunities connected to life. I also hope this online forum serves as an opportunity for the education sector and society to work together to resolve educational disparities caused by economic differences.”
On the 28th, the ‘2020 2nd Gwangju Education Online Forum’ will be held on the theme ‘Directions for Gwangju Education in the Climate Crisis Era.’
On the 29th, the Ministry of Education, Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education, and Education Policy Network will jointly host the ‘5th Education Policy Network Education Policy Debate’ and the ‘4th I.D.E.A. (Innovation in Education Data in the AI Era) Forum,’ co-organized by the Korea Educational Development Institute, Korea Education and Research Information Service, Gwangju Office of Education, and Jeollabuk-do Office of Education, under the theme ‘Utilization of Educational Big Data and Establishment of Education Support Systems.’
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