The Center for 21st Century Skills @ EDUCATION CONNECTION was pleased to host Professor Chen Zhixin, the Dean and faculty member of the Management Teaching-Research Office of the Economics and Management Department, and Professor Ling Xudong, faculty member of the Information Engineering Department, from Ningxia Polytechnic University in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, PRC. The visit by the professors from China marks the beginning of a international education collaboration.
The collaboration between the Center for 21st Century Skills @ EDUCATION CONNECTION, Connecticut Career Choices (CCC), and Ningxia Polytechnic University will result in a unique cross-cultural learning experience for participating students and teachers. During the two-week stay, Prof. Chen and Prof. Ling visited select Connecticut schools and attended meetings at the IBM Southbury Conference Center and Central Connecticut State University. Professors Chen and Ling will also met with Hartford Pathways to Technology Magnet High School seniors and parents in preparation for the Pathways student senior trip to Ningxia Polytechnic University in March 2008.
Prof. Chen and Prof. Ling will interact with students and teachers engaged in project-based learning as they take part in the Connecticut Innovation Academy (CTIA) program and the E-Commerce and Entrepreneurship course. This year, CTIA requires student teams to research, design, develop, and present an innovative computer-based learning game that teaches middle school students a concept in science, technology, engineering, or math. The E-Commerce course fosters the development of academic skills, creative thinking, and problem solving through the completion of a comprehensive e-commerce business project. Connecticut students will exhibit their projects at the Connecticut Innovation Expo, May 9–10, 2008, at the Connecticut Convention Center. A Virtual Exposition will also be conducted online simultaneously so that students in China can present their projects and interact with Connecticut students.