Thirty six mathematics and science teachers from all over Korea along with 5 supervisors participated in a ten-day educational program organized by the Curriculum Research & Development Group in the College of Education January 11–21. The group, sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Education and coordinated by the Korean Educational Development Institute (KEDI), came to learn about the innovative programs and approaches to teaching, learning, and assessment developed at CRDG. Each from different provinces in Korea, the teachers were chosen in a very competitive process by their Ministry of Education.
“We are honored to learn of the interest of these South Korean educators in our work and to be asked to share our approaches to teaching and learning over an extended period of time,” said CRDG Director Donald Young. “We were able to put together a showcase of our mathematics and science programs that challenged the teachers to think in new and creative ways and engage with us in extended discussion about our common interests in improving education.”
The visit included daily professional development sessions in science and mathematics teaching and observations of classes at the University Laboratory School. Sessions focused on the inquiry-based instructional programs developed by CRDG that challenge students of all ability levels. A group of seven Laboratory School students of Korean ancestry in grades six through twelve volunteered to host the teachers, showing them around campus and joining them for a “talk story and lunch” in the cafeteria.
The group was also able to visit other schools on O‘ahu, including Punahou, to see where President Obama went to school, and Nui Valley Elementary School where the delegation learned about the school’s International Baccalaureate program.