Deeper Learning China 2019

Over 300 public, private and charter school teachers representing every province in China, Australia, Colombia, Canada and the US gathered over three days for the inaugural Deeper Learning China (DLC) Conference in Shanghai December 13-15, 2019.

Dr. Houbin Fang and the DLC Committee partnered with High Tech High to share deeper learning practices across China. The range of facilitators and programs was inspiring. The conference kicked off with keynotes from Dr. Yongxin Zhu of Suzhou University, Dr. Nicholas Dirks professor and former Chancellor at the University of California, Berkeley, and High Tech High CEO and WISE Prize for Education Laureate, Larry Rosenstock. Their collective message was one that urged the need for high quality, meaningful educational experiences for all and that in order to chart a path for the future of education we must reflect on our past, looking back to the educational philosophies of Confucius and Dewey. Following the keynotes, Rachel Giannini shared her film, No Small Matter, about the need for early childhood education advocacy and HTH screened Ted Dintersmith’s film, Most Likely to Succeed. Panel discussions followed the films to learn more about PBL and High Tech High.

DLC offered participants a range of 3-hour workshops and 6-hour deep dives over the course of the next two days led by dynamic facilitators representing deeper learning. Don Berg and Greg Burrill presented on how to design schools for more joy and genius. Iris Van Dyke of Las Virgenes USD and Curtis Taylor from High Tech Middle North County shared their respective workshops about inclusive math and your inner mathematician. Jenny Pieratt of CraftEd Curriculum and Tina Schuster from the High Tech High Graduate School of Education shared their takes on PBL Design. Michelle Sadrena Pledger represented the Share Your Learning campaign to get 5 million students to be a part of exhibition, POL or SLC.

Zoë Randall and Lacy Szuwalski came to share how they are spreading deeper learning through STEAM PBL and NGSS at San Diego Unified, the 2nd largest traditional public school system in California. Their 3-hour workshop, Let’s Investigate!: Equity in Science, they engaged learners in an inquiry-based science investigation and explored the themes of equity and openness. In their 6-hour Deep Dive, Spark Wonder: Designing STEAM PBL, participants were enthusiastic to try on different attributes of a STEAM learner and facilitator as they engaged in a Kindergarten Human Impact experience and designed their own projects.

Deeper Learning China was an incredible experience for all. We connected on the hopes of education to empower curious, creative change-makers. We explored the beauty and possibilities that Shanghai had to offer. We created dreams for the future and committed to never stop the work we are passionate about.