Values given to education and IT in China
Chinese government has been giving great weight to education as the means to create quality human capital. The rapid development of IT technology brings impact to the traditional education in the new century. As a result, great importance is being attached to IT-based teaching. Take the development of modern distance education for example, it has been highly regarded by the Chinese government and society. In March 2005, when the “two conferences”, i.e. the conference of National People's Congress and the conference of CPPCC, were held in Beijing, members of the National Committee of CPPCC proposed on the development of modern distance education; while Premier Wen Jiabao reiterated the significance of “great development of online distance education” in his government work report. It is apparent that Chinese policy-makers are well aware of the great influence of IT on education.
Besides the government, there is a wide-spread belief among teachers that computer-assisted technology will play an indispensable role in education in China, with the popularity of personal computer, the establishment of networks and the development of multi-media technology. It will influence and challenge traditional teaching at different levels. First, it will involve information-processing competence of the teachers, students and administrative staff. Second, it will cause reform in teaching objectives and values. What's more, it will bring changes in teaching method.
So IT technology is revolutionizing education and bringing new challenges as well.
Related links:
http://www.chinaonlineedu.com/2005/
http://www.edu.cn/li_lun_yj_1652/20070115/t20070115_214465.shtml :
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3 comments:
It is true in my university that computer-assisted classroom has become more and more popular. We use computers to prepare for the lesson, to carry out the lesson plan in class, to prolong the learning process of students beyong classroom, etc. It is hard to imagine that we should go back to the old time of teaching with chalk and blackboard only.
Dear xiaoli,
What you have posted here reminds me of a sentence,"IT is coming!"
It pains me at the thought that however slow I am to get used to something novel, whatever that is to happen happens. It is exactly what IT is like to me. Yes, IT is revolutionizing every walks of our life now, including foreign language education. As teachers, we are more and more dependent on it now. It's amazing that computer-assisted language learning can be so enjoyable and beneficial. However, learning to teach with the help of IT is challenging too. We're no longer solely teachers but to some extent guides, consultants, facilitators or directors.
Xiao Li,
I agree with you that IT will influence and challenge education in China. On the one hand, it will promote the quality of teaching and learning. On the other hand, it will be challenging both to teachers and students, especially to those who are not quite familiar with this new field.
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