Eight Teachers Attended the National Teacher Training

The 2011 National “Focus on Class” High School Teacher Training was held in Yantai No. 1 High School from July 20^thto July 27^th. Zhang Zhiyong, Deputy Director of Shandong Education Department and Professor Huo Yiping from East China Normal University, sponsor of this training, were present at the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. Eight teachers from our school attended this training. They were Liu Zhigang (from Chinese T&R Group), Gu Yanbing (from English T&R Group), Liu Wei (from Physics T&R Group), Song Zhigang (from Chemistry T&R Group), Kong Dexing (from Biology T&R Group), Tian Xuelian (from History T&R Group), Hu Zhaoqiang (from Geography T&R Group) and Wang Jiawei (from Politics T&R Group).

“Focus on class” teacher training is a distinctive program of the “science and education cooperation” project supported by China Association for Science and Technology, aiming at teachers’ professional development. It includes intensive skills training, extensive practice and exchange and on-the-spot discussions. Based on the new standard of high school curriculum and adhering to the idea of making different designs for one lesson, the teacher training is dedicated to setting up a platform for improving teaching and developing teachers’ teaching skills. It helps teachers to realize common progress and sustainable professional development by providing opportunities of thinking, sharing, discussing, reflecting on and improving their teaching.

The content of the training in Yantai consists of four modules: standards of a good lesson, how to make a design for a whole unit, how to make a design for a specified lesson and special topics for each subject. The participants first listened to the lectures given by the experts and watched teaching videos; then had a discussion in groups. After that, they must finish assignments related to each module. Those assignments are discussed and given a comment by the experts. Finally, teachers polished their own work with the experts’ guidance. In this training, everyday teaching activities are emphasized, enhancing the aim, practicability and effectiveness. Besides, the arrangement of the content is in accord with the law of cognition, which promotes teachers’ progressive improvement. In general, features of this training are prominent: practical and effective content; interactive and cooperative style; tense but harmonious atmosphere; strict but scientific management as well as friendly interpersonal relationship.

The eight teachers from our school studied with enthusiasm. They listened attentively to the lectures, took an active part in the discussion and always worked hard until midnight to make a perfect teaching design. In the face-to-face communication with the experts, they solved many teaching problems, learned new teaching skills and have deepened their understanding of teaching theories. What’s more important is that there is qualitative improvement in their teaching ideas. With these new ideas, young teachers of our school are to make greater and sustained progress in their future teaching.

(FromLiu Zhigang & Kong Dexing)

Translator:Gu Yanbing

Reviser:Cong Peiying