The Role and Reformations of
Higher Education Institutions
in a Learning Society
---------A Case Study of Tsinghua University
Yongbin Ma, Aiyi WANG
The School of Continuing Education
Tsinghua University
May. 23-26 2010
Outline

Lifelong learning in China—Policies and Practices

Challenges and reformations for Higher Education
Insititutions in the learning society

The responses of higher education institutions: a Case
Study of the School of Continuing Education,
Tsinghua University
1. Lifelong learning in China—Policies
and Practices

Lifelong learning has a long history in China
1. Lifelong learning in China—Policies
and Practices

Since 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
and Practices

By the year 2009, there are more than 200 cities in
China have definitely set up their goals on constructing
a learning city, more than 10 cities have instituted and
implemented a series of policies and resolutions to
enhance lifelong learning activities, and a number of
cities have listed the goal of constructing learning cities
into “The Tenth five-year Plan”.
1. Lifelong learning in China—Policies
and Practices

The special significances for China in constructing
a lifelong learning society
 Transforming China from a country hindered by a heavy
population burden to a country with rich human resources
 Promoting harmonious development of individuals
2. Challenges and reformations for Higher
Education Insititutions in the learning society
Teaching
R&D
R&D
Services to society
2. Challenges and reformations for Higher
Education Insititutions in the learning society

Providing lifelong learning opportunities
Adopting new enrollment policy
Adjusting curriculum system
Applying ICT in delivering learning resources
2. Challenges and reformations for Higher
Education Insititutions in the learning society

Cultivating lifelong learners
Professional knowledge
General knowledge
Lifelong learning
attributes
3. A Case Study of the School of Continuing
Education, Tsinghua University
Pilot Project of
Learning
Community
Pilot Project of
Learning
Countryside
Pilot Project of
Learning City
Technical Platform
Learning resources
Lifelong
Learning
Theory
Pilot Project of
Learning Army
Technical platforms for a lifelong
learning system

Applying multi-transportation modes and terminals
Internet
Satellite
Cable TV
Video Conference
CD-ROM
F2F
----------------
Constructing advanced network learning platforms
Web-based learning platforms
Education Portal
1.
Synchronous
virtualclassroom
2.
Courseware
On-Demand
3.
Administration
4.
Accounting
5.
Question &
Answer
6.
Assignment
7.
Quiz and Test
8.
Resource
Management
9.
Quality
Evaluation
实
时
教
学
课
件
点
播
Authentication
教
务
管
理
结
算
系
统
User
Management
Core
Database
答
疑
系
统
作
业
系
统
Directory
Service
测
验
考
试
资
源
管
理
质
量
评
估
Data Exchange
Exchange
Database
Lifelong learning resources for all

Constructing more than 3,000 coursewares
 Recreational learning resources (Drawing, Handwriting,
Dancing, fishing…)
 Professional skill training resources (Homemaking,
Planting, Sewing, Repairing,…..)
 Survival skill training resources for the disadvantaged
 Literacy training resources
 Executive Development Training resources
 Popular learning resources of law, health and sanitation,
family education, …..
Why to start learning countrysides?





China still has 12 provinces in the west which
are lagging behind in economic development
592 key impoverished counties in China
Economic development is quite unbalanced in
China
Lacking of high quality of education resources
Using ICT we can delivery high quality
education resource to the people most requiring
it.
Teaching course video
Frequency broadcast,
Data courseware
Broadcast transfers，
Satellite real time alternation
No 2 Asian
Satellite
Tsinghua
Main
Courseware service Center
Distance
Learning
Center
(DLC)
Satellite Receiver
System
system
Satellite
Broadcast
System
DLC
Software
Database
Online
Management
System
Multi-spot and channel
live alternation system
Network
Server
Cluster
Satellite Receiver
System
Live Broadcast Classroom
Internet
Working Scheme of Tsinghua University, Distance Education Platform
Tsinghua University Education Poverty Alleviation Project setting up
satellite receiver at Guangxi Debao County Learning Center
Current Status

By the end of 2009, we have established more
than 708 learning centers at county level, 2,275
learning centers at town level

More than 3,000 learning hours

More than 800,000 people from rural areas
have benefited.
Beijing excellence Middle School teachers tutorial
for rural school students passing university entrance exam 3+X
(Sichuan Pingchang DLC is watching English tutorial )
Many volunteers go to DLCs for tutorial
English tutorial in Huade County
Future Development
Coverring 592 key impoverished
counties in China
 Developing more useful education
resources
 Establishing three levels of learning
centers in counties, towns and villages

Conclusion
Lifelong learning is a guideline for higher
education reforms
 Developing new evaluation system

Whether it is conducive to cultivate lifelong
learners at its maximum
 Whether it is conducive to provide lifelong
learning opportunities for all the people
throughout their whole life
Through continuous adjustments and adaptations,
the higher education institutions are sure to play
important roles in the learning society.

Thank you for your attention!