Fulbright-Hays GPA to S. Korea

A group of 16 New Jersey educators, including teachers from New Jersey schools and William Paterson University students and faculty, successfully completed their four-week visit to South Korea, funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) grant. Led by Dr. Carrie Eunyoung Hong, professor of Literacy, and Dr. Kyung-Hyan Angie Yoo, professor of Communication, from William Paterson University of New Jersey, the group explored pedagogical and technological innovations in South Korean educational settings to enhance their teaching practices. 

 2024 Fulbright-Hays Teacher Training Program in Korea

Their project, "Enriching Education through Cross-cultural Exploration: Learning from Technology and Pedagogy Innovations in South Korea," received a $168,280 Fulbright-Hays grant and was one of the 32 GPA awardees selected nationwide in 2023. It focuses on three objectives:

  1. Comparative Exploration of Education Systems: The educators compare South Korea’s education systems and practices with those in the US. 
  2. Cultural Immersion: Participants immerse themselves in Korea's rich history and vibrant culture.
  3. Technological Advancements: They explore how AI, virtual reality, and social media are shaping the future of education. 

      To achieve these goals, the group participated in several activities, including:  

      • Teaching in a Korean High School: The group visited Suwon Academy of World Languages High School, teaching classes on subjects including English, science, social studies, and art. This interaction helped the educators understand Korean education by engaging directly with high school students. 
      • Cultural and Educational Tours: The group traveled across cities such as Seoul, Kongju, Sejong, Jeonju, Busan, and Gyeongju, participating in enrichment activities, visiting historical landmarks, and attending seminars at educational institutions. 
      • AI-Assisted Teacher Exchange: The program includes a Korea-U.S. teacher matching initiative, where 29 Korean and American teachers and pre-service teachers collaborate through AI-enhanced communication. This exchange aims to improve mutual understanding and share innovative educational practices.  

      Chungnam Science High School Visit.JPEG

      Upon returning their trip, participants completed various outreach activities for New Jersey educators. One of the outcomes is the generation of lesson plans about Korea across subject areas. Here are some examples of Lesson Plans developed by participants.

      • Science
      1. Lesson on _to be added____(Ms. Sue-Anne Alonso)
      2. Lesson on __ to be added ___ (Ms. Jacquline Katz)
      3. Lesson on __ to be added ____ (Ms. Ivette Soto)
      4. Lesson on __ to be added ___ (Mr. Adam Fleisher)
      5. Lesson on __ to be added __ (Mr. Domenick Ciminiello)
      • Social Studies
      1. Lesson on _ to be added ___ (Mr. Ryan McKenna)
      • English/Language Arts
      1. Lesson on _ to be added ___ (Ms. Priscilla Yoon)
      2. Lesson on _ to be added ____ (Mr. Austin Murphy-Park)
      3. Lesson on_ to be added ____ (Ms. Christy Lee)
      4. Lesson on __ to be added ___ (Ms. Rachel Morgese)
      5. Lesson on _ to be added ____ (Ms. Sara De La Cruz Jimenez)
      6. Lesson on __ to be added ____ (Ms. Nicole Kahwaty)
      • Art & Music
      1. Lesson on __ to be added __ (Ms. Emily Evanowski)
      2. Lesson on _ to be added ____ (Ms. Julia Macedo)

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      This project marks William Paterson University’s second teacher training program in Korea. In 2014, the university also received this grant and has continued to foster Korea-US educational exchanges through various grants and programs. Recently, through the SEED Grant supported by the Korean Studies Promotional Service of South Korea, the university successfully organized summer training in Korea for 13 undergraduate students over the past three years (2020-2023) and established a Korean Studies minor in 2022.

      *Fulbright-Hays GPA Grant: Founded in 1946 by U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright, the Fulbright Program is highly competitive and selects awardees nationwide each year. This grant is provided by the U.S. Department of Education and the International and Foreign Language Education (IFLE) office. The grant supports overseas projects involving training, research, and curriculum development in world languages and area studies for teachers, students, and faculty.