Confucius said: "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand." This simple quote has in it everything we have to keep in mind as a Hanyangian. That is, ears and eyes will not do; actions will do.

Millions of university students suffer from studying in a university where the learning environment is quite different from that of the past. These days, students are required to utilize their computer knowledge in classes and take mandatory English-only courses. This is also the case for professors who have to compete with scholars globally. They should not only outcompete in their research against scholars abroad but also run their classes in English.

Appropriate actions should be taken to survive in this dog-eat-dog society. For those suffering, the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) was created. Established on Mar. 2003, the CTL since then has been striving to support those who are in need on campus. With the purpose of accommodating students with quality education and enhancing HYU's educational infrastructure as a whole, CTL works under three building blocks: teaching method, studying method, and e-learning. Under CTL, not only the students get help but also the professors in need receive education regarding teaching methods.

A new definition of teaching

CTL currently provides numerous workshops and lectures for professors who are eager to participate. CTL's teaching method largely includes workshops, Hanyang Rainbow Teaching Method, and English writing lab. IHN met with Jong-ho Lee, a senior researcher in CTL, to answer the questions of our inquisitive readers regarding teaching methods.

Firstly, workshops are run by invited expert lecturers to motivate professors to adopt top notch and up-to-date teaching methods which will enhance students' academic performance. Workshops also include discussion among professors so as to share teaching materials and receive constructive feedback. Secondly, CTL provides professors with seven constructive teaching methods—just like seven rainbow colors—which encourage professors to adopt the teaching methods in a creative and effective manner. The rainbow teaching methods are as follows: Reflective Teaching, Emotional Teaching, Creative Teaching, Communicative Teaching, Project-based Teaching, Technology-supported Teaching, and Informative Teaching. Lastly, English writing lab is for professors who are in need of professional aid in writing research papers in English. The faculties proofread the papers in advance and work together to enhance clarity, logic, and style.

"Knowing the expertise and knowing how to deliver it to others are totally different," said Lee. "Learning how to effectively transfer the knowledge entails efforts to adjust the tone of voice and gestures, and these little things will completely change the atmosphere of the class," Lee added. Lee still gets many calls from professors asking how to teach well and he too works hard on developing teaching methods year after year.

Exclusive tips for studying

You will likely grasp the problems and come up with specific solutions for your studying methods with the help of real-life trainings. This is what the CTL basically engages in regarding studying methods. Studying methods aims to achieve five different goals - satisfaction, confidence, sense of accomplishment, self-esteem, and efficacy.

Ok-bun Kim, another senior researcher who sets and creates programs and workshops for students, had a word with IHN for further explanation. "Workshop for studying methods has two main concepts. One is to help students enhance adaptability in school and develop academic skills, and the other is to inform them with hands-on experiences in workplaces and help them to construct life visions along with future goals," said Kim. Workshops are held on a monthly basis and the contents of the upcoming ones include communication skills, speech skills, university level marketing, and ways to lengthen the concentration time.

Through these workshops, innumerable students were able to reap benefits out of what they have learned. Among them, IHN specifically chose an awarded HYU student who presented in the exhibition about an outstanding studying method for a further interview. Using a mind map form of note-taking, Yeon-jin Jo (Business Administration, '12) successfully overcame difficulties in studying and finally got high grades in the end. "With the mind map, I was able to see the big picture and connect it with the remaining details, thereby understanding the entire class materials in a short amount of time. With the image-formed notes I drew myself, I could effectively review the materials covered in lectures," said Jo.

Study coaching program

For those who wish to get studying guidance in a short period of time, CTL provides them with group study coaching program in September and October in the second and fourth week respectively. Under four categories—setting goals, time management, note-taking, and concentrating/memorizing, students will receive intense tutoring with their group members. First coaching session started on Sep. 9, 2013 for two hours in the CTL center located on the fifth floor of the economic and finance building.

"Due to my low grades, I applied for this coaching program. Now I am hoping to get tangible help from instructors. Many other students should also make use of school programs just like I do," said Young-kwon Jo (Mechanical Engineering, '10) at the first coaching session.

A word of encouragement

Efficient studying is not just about using the cognitive side of one's brain but also about using the emotional side of one's mind. Similarly, university life is not only about studying the majors, getting good grades, and accumulating academic-related experiences. In other words, university life as a whole is about finding good opportunities and grabbing those chances by taking actions. HYU students should not linger and lag behind missing all the fruitful programs but try harder to encourage themselves for the bright future.

Seongun Jeon suj0915@hanyang.ac.kr Other articles written by this reporter

Hyein Kimhyeinkim@hanyang.ac.kr
Photo by Bomin Park