Education reform

In the recent decades, the greatest challenge to university education is how to adapt to the needs of different students. With the popularization of university education and the increase of rates for passing through college entrance examinations, students today are totally different in their interests, background, motives and academic preparation.

Then, what strategy do higher educations in each country have to deal with that? High education reform is worth to be praised in many aspects. Compared with the past few decades, higher education system in many countries has become more and more flexible in educational requirements. They have reformed their lectures according to the interests of the students. Learning does not depend totally on lectures in classes anymore. The students have chance to take social practice to make up for the shortage of class lectures. The knowledge and skills students learn adapt better to the needs of markets and students themselves. Taking full advantage of the electronic technology to improve the quality of learning is especial useful for students who wouldn't accept traditional education. The teaching form of internet education and fictitious university has come into being now. Meanwhile, a new challenge to teaching has also appeared, which is the pressure of internationalizing the lectures. That change needs us to reflect thoroughly on the basic aspects of curriculum design. Many universities and other educational institutions have taken measures to adapt to globalized study, but have achieved little effects by far.

`

However, it is still hopeful to realize further reform in educational practice in future, as the fundamental change on educational orientation has been finished. In most situations, higher education today is practicing the teaching principle of focusing on students. This important change forms a sharp contrast against the situation decades ago. The concept of active learning is being widely accepted. Of course there is still shortcomings. This change happens slowly in the front edge of education. In many universities, giving a lecture is still a basic education method. But the situation is still encouraging in general.

As a baby, when you want something, you cry for it, but as an adult, you fight for it.

Home town trees

I grow up in a tiny village in the central of China. A village hugged by trees. 

Aspens stand straight like a guard, from which you can hear singing of cicada in middle summer. Locust trees blossom in spring, the flowers of which are usually picked up and cooked as food, one of the favorite foods of kids. Tung-trees offer people shadows with their large leaves in summer. It was quite soothing to take a rest at noon under these shadows after a half day's hard work on farmlands. 

There is a small brook in front the village, though often without water. Some willows stand on the inner side of the brook. They sprout in spring, growing new tender green branches, hanging down over the brook. When wind comes, they will sway, look like waving hands to us. Kids would break off a small twig and make a whistle from it. It was cool. At primary school, I read a poem titled Intoning the Willow, composed by an ancient Chinese poet He Zhizhang, comparing its leaves to jades. 

We also used to plant many kinds of fruit trees, pear trees, peach trees, jujube trees, persimmon trees for example. The rich soil and favorable climate help them to bear enough fruits for the mouth of kids. 

I owe my simple and happy childhood to the beautiful countryside scenery, the refreshing air and the trees.

(Original content. Copyright reserved by the author.)