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BNU and KU have Enhanced understanding and cooperation through BNU–KU Academic Seminars on Education


On 22nd and 23th June 2017, Beijing Normal University (BNU) -The University of Kansas (KU) Academic Seminars on Education were held at Jingshi Hall, Beijing Normal University. The seminars were organized by the Advanced Innovation Center for Future Education (AICFE). Twelve scholars from BNU and KU shared their ideas in the field of education policy, assessment, reform, special education and higher education in the context of China and the US. The seminar aims to strengthen the communication and collaboration with top universities worldwide and explore new mechanisms for technology innovation and talents cultivation by integrating domestic and international resources.   
 
Keynote Speakers  include Prof. Rick Ginsberg (Dean of the School of Education, KU), Prof. Lisa Wolf-Wendel (Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies in the School of Education, KU), Prof. Kelli Thomas (Associate Dean of Teacher Education and Undergraduate Programs of the School of Education, KU ), Prof. Neal Kingston (Director of the Achievement and Assessment Institute), Prof. Michael L. Wehmeyer (Ross and Marianna Beach Distinguished Professor in Special Education), Foundation Distinguished Professor Yong Zhao, and Sheree Wills (Head of Confucius Institute,). On BNU’s side, Prof. Xudong Zhu (Dean of the Faculty of Education, BNU), Prof. Shengquan Yu (Executive Director of AICFE), Prof. Meng Deng (Deputy Head of Institute of Special Education, and Director of Research Centre for Inclusive Education), Chengwen Hong (Associate Dean of Higher Education Research Institute), Dr. Lishan Zhang, and Ms. Xiaoshan Guo from AICFE presented at the seminar.
 
 
BNU–KU Academic Seminars on Education
 
 
Prof. Xudong Zhu, Dean of the Faculty of Education, BNU
 
Prof. Xudong Zhu, Dean of the Faculty of Education pointed out that it is an honor to meet with Prof. Rick Ginsberg. He hoped the seminars and meetings could promote the cooperation among KU, the Faculty of Education, and AICFE.
 
 
Foundation Distinguished Professor Yong Zhao, KU
 
On behalf of the delegation of KU, Prof. Zhao stated that nowadays we are facing the same issue in education, namely how to achieve excellence and equity. We hoped that both BNU and KU could take this opportunity to reach deeper understanding of each other in order to cultivate talents in the 21st century who have abilities to learn and to create.
 
Prof. Rick Ginsberg, Dean of the School of Education, KU
 
 
Prof. Shengquan Yu, Executive Director of AICFE, BNU
 
 
Prof. Kelli Thomas,
 Associate Dean of Teacher Education and Undergraduate Programs of the School of Education, KU
 
 
Ms. Xiaoshan Guo, AICFE, BNU
 
 
Prof. Neal Kingston, Director of the Achievement and Assessment Institute, KU

Dr. Lishan Zhang, AICFE, BNU
 
On 22nd June, Prof. Rick Ginsberg, Prof. Shengquan Yu, Prof. Kelli Thomas and Xiaoshan Guo (on behalf of Dr. Ling Chen), Prof. Neal Kingston, and Dr. Lishan Zhang delivered the speech. Prof. Rick Ginsberg indicated that with the  new President taking office, the United States will draw up several policy initiatives impacting throughout Pre-K – 12educationand teacher preparation programs. The initial indication is that there will be a greater focus on privatization efforts, vouchers and charter schools, with continued expectations around accountability and documenting outcome performance. The Executive Director of AICFE, Prof. Shengquan Yu analyzed how to improve the regional education quality based on big data. For teachers, Prof. Kelli Thomas pointed out that teachers in the United States are faced with issues of accountability, closing achievement gaps among sub-groups, and overall demonstrating student learning outcomes. Developing the knowledge and skills to use evaluation and assessment data for making instructional decisions is important for teachers. Xiaoshan Guo from AICFE, on behalf of Dr. Ling Chen, represented the application and effect of Online and Offline Teaching Services (OOTS). The OOTS enrolled more than 7,000 award-winning teachers from 10 districts in Beijing as online tutors, which gathered excellent intelligent resources online. Prof. Neal Kingston shared the use of learning maps. There has been increased recognition that curriculum, instruction, and assessment must work as a unit. This integrated framework is often referred to as the learning triangle. Despite this recognition, empirical evidence of the efficacy of formative assessment suggests that teachers need a better organizing structure to take full advantage of the learning triangle. Dr. Lishan Zhang shared the research on learner’s information processing and problem-solving ability assessment.
 Group photo of speakers on June 22

Prof. Michael L. Wehmeyer,
Ross and Marianna Beach Distinguished Professor in Special Education, Department of Special Education, KU
 
 
Prof. Meng Deng, Director of Research Centre for Inclusive Education, BNU
 
 
Prof. Lisa Wolf-Wendel, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies in the School of Education, KU
 
 
Prof. Chengwen Hong, Associate Dean of Higher Education Research Institute
 
On the morning of 23th June, Prof. Michael Wehmeyer, Prof. Meng Deng, Prof. Lisa Wolf-Wendel and Prof.Chengwen Hong delivered the speeches successively. The discussion focused in the field of special education and higher education. Prof. Michael Wehmeyer introduced the practice in special education today, both in the United States and internationally, in light of multiple factors that include strengths-based models of disability and the emerging role of positive psychology in the field, the movement from individualized to personalized learning, and the importance of school-wide, multi-tiered systems of supports that deliver high quality instruction to all students. Prof. Meng Deng indicated that special schools should be a part of, instead of apart from, inclusive education. Prof. Lisa Wolf-Wendel provided a comprehensive overview of the characteristics of the system of American higher education. Topics included a discussion of the academic labor market, declines in state funding, increasing tuition, concerns about access, and the press for efficiency and accountability. Prof. Chengwen Hong presented policy making process in higher education in China
 
 
Group photo of speakers and staffs on June 23
 
China Education Daily supported the “BNU–KU Academic Seminars on Education” for live broadcasting. The seminars ended with warm applause from all audience and we should believe that new development opportunities are emerging from the communication and cooperation with top universities worldwide.