On 19th September , 2017, the Experimental School’s Weigongcun Study Centre held its Fall Semester Teaching Seminar. The seminar focused on teaching and teaching reform, primarily concerning work schedule, staff exchanges, and teaching research. Thirty-five tutors attended the seminar.

The seminar reported on teaching work during the fall 2017 semester, including major and course development, current teaching faculty and student population, detailed arrangements and requirements for teaching. To provide better support for tutors, the Centre prepared teaching materials this semester, including textbooks, a tutor & course confirmation list, student roster, school timetable, staff contact list, implementation plan following course appointment, and more.

Yang Shijian from the Faculty of Economics and Management, and Wang Li from the Faculty of Science and Engineering were invited to the seminar. They shared their experiences, and exchanged views with participants on the centre’s two teaching models: blended learning and tutor-student course appointments. Yang Shijian introduced micro-teaching, and shared his teaching experience in practical teaching through micro-teaching at the centre. Wang Li shared his experience teaching the last semester's tutor-student course appointment, and put forward his suggestions for enhancing the benefits of practical teaching next semester.

Lin Xiuqin, from the Faculty of Education, and Xie Jun, from the Experimental School, were also invited to share helpful teaching tools. Lin Xiuqin report titled “How to Make Full Use of Online Tools to Serve Teaching” discussed using practical teaching tools such as power points and course recording software. Xie Jun introduced and simulated using a “Rain Classroom” to interact with the students.

The seminar also included group discussions. The tutors exchanged views on how to motivate learners, and put forward suggestions on teaching content, course design, classroom management, and more.

By Tian Min, OUC