Student-centered learning culture takes root through diverse teaching methods

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST). [Herald DB]
Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST). [Herald DB]

The Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology said its educational innovation program, INGE, is helping establish a student-centered creative learning culture and nurturing well-rounded talent.

INGE stands for "Initiatives in New GIST Education." The program aims to build a new educational identity for GIST as a future-oriented institution by developing teaching methods and reforming how courses are delivered.

Over the past decade, 74 courses have been supported under the INGE program, incorporating a range of teaching approaches — project-based learning, problem-based learning and flipped learning.

Students take part in every stage of team projects, from defining problems to developing solutions. By applying theories learned in class to real assignments and refining solutions through discussion and collaboration, they build creative problem-solving skills and interdisciplinary thinking.

Kim Hee-sam, a professor of economics in the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences who has been involved with INGE since its early days, ran a student-centered project course through his "Behavioral Economics 2" class in 2016.

Students designed and conducted surveys, field investigations and social experiments on their own, applying what they had learned to real-world problems. They also took the lead throughout the entire project process, including drafting research proposals and managing budgets.

Students present the results of their team projects in the INGE course "Service Learning Project." [Provided by GIST]
Students present the results of their team projects in the INGE course "Service Learning Project." [Provided by GIST]

The INGE program has continued to evolve beyond its initial project-focused format, expanding into new approaches such as education using generative AI.

Song Eun-seong, a professor in the Department of AI Convergence who has participated in INGE since 2021, has guided students through the "Service Learning Project" course, directing them to identify and address problems in their local communities and everyday lives.

In practice, students have carried out a range of service improvement projects — including a shopping assistance service for the visually impaired and a dormitory information-sharing system to improve student convenience. Through gathering user feedback and refining their services, students gained hands-on experience in field-oriented problem solving.

GIST plans to further strengthen its student-centered learning environment through the INGE program, expanding education grounded in advanced technology and broadening projects linked to industry and society.

The institute will particularly push ahead with educational innovation aimed at cultivating the creative problem-solving skills and interdisciplinary thinking demanded in the era of generative AI, accelerating its efforts to develop talent capable of leading future society and industry.


nbgkoo@heraldcorp.com