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Editor's Note: The results of the fifth SCNU English Writing and Short Video Contest have been announced on the website of the Office of International Exchange & Cooperation of SCNU (see results). We congratulate all prize winners on their outstanding performance. Winning entries will be published in this column.
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By Li Dicong
In a modest classroom at South China Normal University, Professor Li Kedong patiently adjusts a newly imported audiovisual education device. It is a challenging task, yet his face is lit up with an excited smile. He knows this device will revolutionize teaching methods in Chinese classrooms and mark the beginning of his legendary journey with educational technology. From that moment on, he is no longer just an ordinary teacher; he has become a pioneer and driving force behind the discipline of educational technology in China. Every lecture he has delivered, every textbook he has written, and every practice base he established injected continuous momentum into the development of educational technology, quietly transforming the futures of countless students. For over six decades, he has quietly worked in the field of educational technology, pioneering the discipline in China and nurturing generations of educational talents. Professor Li modestly regards himself as an "ordinary teacher who gets things done", but his groundbreaking contributions to educational technology and his enthusiasm for promoting educational informatization have made him a leading figure in China's educational technology discipline. Today, let us delve into the life of Professor Li Kedong and learn about his remarkable achievements and selfless dedication in the development of educational technology.
Professor Li Kedong.
In 1958, as the newly established People's Republic of China began rebuilding from the ground up, Li Kedong, filled with passion, stepped into South China Normal University (then South China Teachers College). That year, the nation called for the development of education, and classrooms were filled with a hunger for knowledge and hope for the future. In such a transformative era, Li chose to study at the Department of Physics in the teacher training program. Although the classrooms were sparsely equipped, his eyes sparkled with a thirst for knowledge, and his ears absorbed the passionate teachings of his instructors. He understood clearly that the mission of education was not just a personal pursuit, but a responsibility to nurture the nation's future pillars. From that moment, he formed a deep bond with South China Normal University, a connection that would set the stage for his long and illustrious journey in the field of education. In 1962, due to his exceptional academic performance and teaching quality, he was retained by the university to teach, officially embarking on a life-long journey in education. During an era when educational resources were short and technology had not yet become widespread, Professor Li already demonstrated a relentless pursuit of education. Through media such as radio and film, he encountered and practiced audio-visual education early, laying the foundation for his later shift towards educational technology.
In 1978, the spring breeze of reform and opening-up brought about a resurgence in the educational sector, and China's audio-visual education re-emerged. Professor Li seized this opportunity and actively participated in the introduction and application of audio-visual educational equipment, making SCNU one of the first universities in China to possess advanced audio-visual educational equipment. In 1983, through the concerted efforts of Professor Li and his colleagues, SCNU established the first undergraduate major in audio-visual education in New China. Facing challenges such as insufficient equipment and a lack of textbooks, Professor Li led his team in compiling textbooks and purchasing equipment, laying a solid foundation for the nascent educational technology discipline. His textbooks, such as Introduction to Audio-Visual Education and the Research Methods of Educational Communication Science, still influence teaching and research in the field of educational technology today.
South China Normal University Founding Ceremony of Electronic Education - Li Kedong is the fifth from the left in the first row.
As a leader in the educational technology discipline, Professor Li has always been committed to integrating theoretical research with practical application. He has published numerous papers and books. He also has led students in practical activities such as audio-visual equipment maintenance and program production by establishing practical bases, which cultivated a large number of educational technology talents with comprehensive skills. In the 1990s, Professor Li Kedong actively promoted the "Multimedia Combination Teaching Design" method in universities, colleges, and primary and secondary schools across multiple provinces and cities. This approach provided a systematic framework and practical guidance for multimedia teaching design in basic education. Through detailed teaching cases and teacher training, he helped educators master the application of multimedia technology, making classroom teaching more intuitive and engaging. This method significantly improved teaching efficiency and enhanced students' learning interest, playing a crucial role in modernizing China's basic education. It became a milestone in the practice of multimedia teaching. Building on this foundation, Professor Li Kedong further advanced the integration of digital learning in basic education through his research on "instructional design, teaching models, and evaluation in networked environments." His work provided teachers with new tools and methods, making classrooms more interactive and personalized. These innovations greatly enhanced students' learning outcomes and injected fresh vitality into the modernization of basic education.
Professor Li Kedong visits the Artificial Intelligence Research Base of FRO Nanwu Middle School.
Professor Li has always paid attention to the international development of educational technology. In 1997, at his initiative, the First Global Chinese Conference on Computers in Education was held at SCNU. In 2001, Professor Li Kedong organized the inaugural International Educational Technology Forum, a groundbreaking event that served as a "bridge," connecting South China Normal University with the global stage. Li Ming, a student who attended the forum, recalled, "It was the first time I heard lectures from world-class scholars, and it filled me with hope for the future of educational technology." These forums not only elevated the international reputation of South China Normal University but also provided a vital platform for aligning China's educational technology with global standards. They enabled more scholars and students to engage with the latest international concepts in educational technology.
Li Kedong preaches on the in-depth study of STEM theory.
He has also collaborated with scholars from multiple countries to conduct experimental research on STEM education and interdisciplinary learning. In particular, in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, he founded the "Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao STEM Education Alliance", further promoting cross-regional cooperation and innovation in educational technology.
Professor Li often describes himself as an "ordinary teacher". His rigorous academic attitude and dedication to education are evident in every lecture and project he undertakes. Now in his eighties, he remains active in scientific research, delivering lectures to students and sharing his experiences in interdisciplinary learning and innovative education. Despite his active involvement, he remains humble and never boasts of his position but instead always focuses on the growth and needs of his students. For him, education is a lifelong career, and his mission is to quietly persevere and bring the power of technological change into every classroom and the hearts of every student.
Professor Li Kedong has devoted his life to fulfilling his original aspiration in educational technology. From an ordinary teacher to a leading figure in the educational technology discipline, he has upheld the duties of a teacher and driven the pioneering of a discipline. As he says, "Education is my lifelong career". The great achievements Professor Li has created in the field of educational technology will continue to illuminate the path forward for SCNU and countless future generations.
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