Recently, the Open University of China (OUC) organised a 2024 digital competency enhancement initiative aimed at English teachers.
This initiative was designed to bolster the teaching and research capabilities of English educators in the digital age, drawing 82 English teachers from OUC's branches across the country to explore cutting-edge digital technologies and methodologies in foreign language education. Spanning five days, the event covered a range of topics including analysis of digital research hotspots in foreign language teaching, exploration of digital topics and thesis selection, educational research design, and academic paper writing.
At the outset of the event, Ye Weiyong, Party Committee secretary and president of Lishui Open University, and Xiong Ying, vice dean of OUC's School of Foreign Languages, underscored the urgency of digital transformation in open education and the critical importance of enhancing teachers' digital competencies respectively. They encouraged participants to seize this opportunity to elevate their digital teaching capabilities and research standards.
The event was conducted through a series of lectures and workshops, featuring renowned experts such as He Gaoda who shared the latest insights on digital research in foreign language education and taught the application of advanced tools. Participants learned not only how to identify digital topics and thesis directions but also about the use of generative AI tools in academic writing, receiving comprehensive guidance on thesis design and composition. The attendees unanimously reported that the initiative significantly expanded their academic horizons, equipping English teachers with sophisticated research tools and methods, and deepening their understanding of the significance and practical applications of digitalisation in foreign language education. Following the event, the School of Foreign Languages plans to engage experts to mentor the participants, aiming to distill and amplify the experiences gained from smart teaching practices, thereby further enhancing their digital teaching skills and research capabilities.
By Li Sihan, OUC