Chaeah Park

[chaeahpark-blog]

My 10 key words in 2016

Application DONE!

The application for Master's program in Finland was submitted. There was not much of information about studying in Finland so that I had to prepare everything by myself without anyone's help in Korea. Unexpected difficulties always popped up even after I completed my application. Also, I realized that I had made few small mistakes in my application after submitting my application. I was frustrated and almost gave up to be accepted to study in Finland. Luckily, however, I got an email from the school and had a chance to have an interview with the Faculty of LET. Even though it was very nervous during the interview, it was enjoyable. It was a good chance to share my philosophy and mission with people who are in the common interesting field.

Raised career value

My career value has been doubled up. Better working condition and more right of autonomy to manage my own class were given. I could focus on developing new teaching materials and game activities for young kids to help them to learn with fun. Also it was great opportunity to observe how educational technology can support students to learn subjects with more fun and concentration.

New challenge

For the first time of my life, I worked as a freelancer. There were more challenges when it comes to working as a freelancer. Everything had not been set so that I should start from zero. Even though it was more difficult than working in a company, I've learned that there are more positive possibilities and flexibilities to support children's learning process.

Youtube channel

I opened my Youtube channel to share my teaching experience and knowledge with others.

Finland, Learning Education and Technology, University of Oulu

I got accepted as a student of Master's program of Learning Education and Technology in the University of Oulu. We arrived Finland on 7th of August and my program start at the end of the month.

Entrepreneurship

Back in Korea, I had been thinking to join startup programs in Oulu before I arrive here. Thus, I participated in Demola project for autumn semester and Startup Weekend Oulu. Demola project was one of the memorable experiences of the last semester. The project that I participated in was about creating a mobile game based on a storybook. It was good to learn how to apply my own experiences and knowledge into totally different area.  However, it was not so impressive to work during the Startup Oulu Weekend. Most mentors have different opinions from me and my husband concerning startup. I can understand their purpose. They want to help us to make profit and to survive in competitive startup markets. However, I was disappointed because I feel mentoring was about money not for human being. Human being had existed first before money appeared.

Collaborative learning

The best learning experience ever in my life. Competitiveness can be barely found in Finnish education system. Excessive competition in Korea is one of cause which affects students not to enjoy their learning at all. How can we apply this educational culture in Korea?

Self Regulated Learning

I could sympathize with my former students' hardship when I had never-ending stack of homework for SRL class. I learned that the amount of homework and time is critical for students to digest contents which are dealt in a class.

Lulea, Sweden

Travel to Luleå with classmates and my family. Even though it was not a huge city in Sweden (22nd biggest city in Sweden), the infrastructures were much more developed than Oulu. After coming back from the trip, I searched for the information about Sweden and other Nordic countries. Even though Finland is geographically neighborhood of Sweden, it is not considered as Scandinavia sometimes. There are lots of hidden historical backgrounds between Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland. It would be my next journey to see and learn about other Nordic countries. (Denmark would be the first place to visit.)

People

My journey in Finland has been started. I was pretty much nervous at the very begging of the program. Thanks to my beloved family, friends and awesome people in Oulu, however, I could overcome difficulties occurring deep inside of my mind. I have learned precious lesson regarding relationship, which I have neglected in Korea.  Thank you all my family and friends!

The books that I've read in 2016

1. 나는 왜 시간에 쫓기는가 2. 청소년을 위한 뇌과학 3. 코끼리는 생각하지마 4. 마음의 미래 5. 나는 세상으로 출근한다. 6. 지적대화를 위한 넓고 얕은 지식 - 현실너머편 7. 유시민의 글쓰기 특강 8. 최고의 공부 9. 관계의 교육학 비고츠키 10. 마음챙김 학습혁명 11. 정의란 무엇인가 12. 코끼리는 생각하지마 13. 시민의 교양 14. Play 15. The invention revolution