The Role and Reformations of

Higher Education Institutions

in a Learning Society

---------A Case Study of Tsinghua University

Yongbin Ma, Aiyi WANGThe School of Continuing Education

Tsinghua UniversityMay. 23-26 2010

OutlineOutline

Lifelong learning in China—Policies and Practices Lifelong learning in China—Policies and Practices

Challenges and reformations for Higher Education Challenges and reformations for Higher Education

Insititutions in the learning societyInsititutions in the learning society

The responses of higher education institutions: a Case The responses of higher education institutions: a Case

Study of the School of Continuing Education, Study of the School of Continuing Education,

Tsinghua UniversityTsinghua University

1. Lifelong learning in China—Policies 1. Lifelong learning in China—Policies and Practices and Practices

Lifelong learning has a long history in ChinaLifelong learning has a long history in China

1. Lifelong learning in China—Policies 1. Lifelong learning in China—Policies and Practices and Practices

Since 1990s, lifelong learning has become a hot topicSince 1990s, lifelong learning has become a hot topic

1993 The national outline of “Education Reform and Development in China” put forward the concept of lifelong education for

the first time

2002 The Sixteenth National Congress of the CPC put forward that China should build up an all people learning and a lifelong

learning society

2007 The Seventeenth National Congress of the CPC emphasized lifelong learning again

2010 The outline of “Education Planning” put forward the target to form an all people learning society without the limitations of the

time and places in 2020.

1. Lifelong learning in China—Policies 1. Lifelong learning in China—Policies and Practices and Practices

By the year 2009, there are more than 200 cities in By the year 2009, there are more than 200 cities in China have definitely set up their goals on constructing China have definitely set up their goals on constructing a learning city, more than 10 cities have instituted and a learning city, more than 10 cities have instituted and implemented a series of policies and resolutions to implemented a series of policies and resolutions to enhance lifelong learning activities, and a number of enhance lifelong learning activities, and a number of cities have listed the goal of constructing learning cities cities have listed the goal of constructing learning cities into “The Tenth five-year Plan”. into “The Tenth five-year Plan”.

1. Lifelong learning in China—Policies 1. Lifelong learning in China—Policies and Practicesand Practices

The special significances for China in constructing a lifelong learning society Transforming China from a country hindered by a heavy Transforming China from a country hindered by a heavy

population burden to a country with rich human resourcespopulation burden to a country with rich human resources

Promoting harmonious development of individualsPromoting harmonious development of individuals

2. Challenges and reformations for Higher 2. Challenges and reformations for Higher Education Insititutions in the learning societyEducation Insititutions in the learning society

R&DTeaching

Services to society

R&D

2. Challenges and reformations for Higher 2. Challenges and reformations for Higher Education Insititutions in the learning societyEducation Insititutions in the learning society

Providing lifelong learning opportunitiesProviding lifelong learning opportunitiesAdopting new enrollment policyAdopting new enrollment policyAdjusting curriculum system Adjusting curriculum system Applying ICT in delivering learning resources Applying ICT in delivering learning resources

2. Challenges and reformations for Higher 2. Challenges and reformations for Higher Education Insititutions in the learning societyEducation Insititutions in the learning society

Cultivating lifelong learnersCultivating lifelong learners

Professional knowledge

General knowledge

Lifelong learning attributes

Lifelong Learning Theory

Technical Platform Learning resources

Pilot Project of Learning

Community

Pilot Project of Learning

Countryside

Pilot Project of Learning City

Pilot Project of Learning Army

3. A Case Study of the School of Continuing 3. A Case Study of the School of Continuing Education, Tsinghua UniversityEducation, Tsinghua University

Technical platforms for a lifelong Technical platforms for a lifelong learning systemlearning system

Applying multi-transportation modes and terminalsApplying multi-transportation modes and terminals InternetInternet SatelliteSatelliteCable TVCable TVVideo ConferenceVideo ConferenceCD-ROMCD-ROMF2FF2F----------------------------------

Constructing advanced network learning platformsConstructing advanced network learning platforms

Web-based learning platformsWeb-based learning platforms

CoreDatabase

AuthenticationUser

ManagementDirectoryService

实时教学

课件点播

答疑系统

资源管理

测验考试

质量评估

结算系统

Education Portal

ExchangeDatabase

Data Exchange

作业系统

教务管理

1. Synchronous virtual-classroom

2. Courseware On-Demand

3. Administration

4. Accounting

5. Question & Answer

6. Assignment

7. Quiz and Test

8. Resource Management

9. Quality Evaluation

Lifelong learning resources for allLifelong learning resources for all

Constructing more than 3,000 coursewaresConstructing more than 3,000 coursewares Recreational learning resources (Drawing, Recreational learning resources (Drawing,

Handwriting, Dancing, fishing…)Handwriting, Dancing, fishing…)

Professional skill training resources (Homemaking, Professional skill training resources (Homemaking,

Planting, Sewing, Repairing,…..)Planting, Sewing, Repairing,…..)

Survival skill training resources for the disadvantagedSurvival skill training resources for the disadvantaged

Literacy training resourcesLiteracy training resources

Executive Development Training resourcesExecutive Development Training resources

Popular learning resources of law, health and Popular learning resources of law, health and

sanitation, family education, …..sanitation, family education, …..

Why to start learning Why to start learning countrysides?countrysides?

China still has 12 provinces in the west which China still has 12 provinces in the west which are lagging behind in economic development are lagging behind in economic development

592 key impoverished counties in China592 key impoverished counties in China Economic development is quite unbalanced in Economic development is quite unbalanced in

ChinaChina Lacking of high quality of education resourcesLacking of high quality of education resources Using ICT we can delivery high quality Using ICT we can delivery high quality

education resource to the people most requiring education resource to the people most requiring it.it.

Working Scheme of Tsinghua University, Distance Education PlatformWorking Scheme of Tsinghua University, Distance Education Platform

Teaching course videoFrequency broadcast,

Data courseware Broadcast transfers，

Satellite real time alternation

No 2 Asian Satellite Distance

Learning Center(DLC)

Satellite Receiver System

Satellite Receiver System

Internet

Live Broadcast Classroom

Multi-spot and channel live alternation system

Online Management

System

Satellite Broadcast

System

Tsinghua Main

CenterCourseware service

system

Software

Database

Network Server Cluster

DLC

Tsinghua University Education Poverty Alleviation Project setting up satellite receiver at Guangxi Debao County Learning Center

Current StatusCurrent Status

By the end of 2009, we have established more By the end of 2009, we have established more than 708 learning centers at county level, 2,275 than 708 learning centers at county level, 2,275 learning centers at town levellearning centers at town level

More than 3,000 learning hoursMore than 3,000 learning hours More than 800,000 people from rural areas More than 800,000 people from rural areas

have benefited. have benefited.

Beijing excellence Middle School teachers tutorialfor rural school students passing university entrance exam 3+X

(Sichuan Pingchang DLC is watching English tutorial )

Many volunteers go to DLCs for tutorialMany volunteers go to DLCs for tutorial English tutorial in Huade CountyEnglish tutorial in Huade County

Future DevelopmentFuture Development

Coverring 592 key impoverished Coverring 592 key impoverished counties in Chinacounties in China

Developing more useful education Developing more useful education resourcesresources

Establishing three levels of learning Establishing three levels of learning centers in counties, towns and villagescenters in counties, towns and villages

ConclusionConclusion

Lifelong learning is a guideline for higher Lifelong learning is a guideline for higher education reformseducation reforms

Developing new evaluation systemDeveloping new evaluation systemWhether it is conducive to cultivate lifelong Whether it is conducive to cultivate lifelong

learners at its maximumlearners at its maximum Whether it is conducive to provide lifelong Whether it is conducive to provide lifelong

learning opportunities for all the people learning opportunities for all the people throughout their whole lifethroughout their whole life

Through continuous adjustments and adaptations, Through continuous adjustments and adaptations, the higher education institutions are sure to play the higher education institutions are sure to play important roles in the learning society.important roles in the learning society.

Thank you for your Thank you for your

attention!attention!