But today, six years later, this "basic idea" of Peking University does not seem to be universally recognized by students.
Facing the reporter, "Why did you choose to study in the primary semester?" The first reason that almost every Peking University student interviewed thought of was "receiving credits". These students claim that just to relieve the pressure of normal semester, they decided to "even allocate some credits to holidays" in order to gain more free time. It is obviously against the original intention of Peking University that the primary semester becomes a tool for collecting credits.
Zhao Hua, a sophomore in Chinese Department of Peking University, is trying to go abroad after graduation. This summer vacation, he took part in a GRE class to strengthen his English (forum), so he "dropped in for a short semester". Zhao Hua said frankly: "I randomly selected classes in primary school, and I didn't expect anything, just wanted to earn credits." .
Interviews with three universities in Beijing found that the main reason why students are dissatisfied with the first semester of primary school lies in their curriculum and teaching methods. Hu Bing of eecs 2008 said that he "has been sleepy in class for more than half a month". He said that because the primary school curriculum is basically the same as usual, the teaching methods are still traditional, and most students are not new to the summer school curriculum.
In Tsinghua, which is separated from Peking University all the way, many interviewed students said that the gains in primary schools are actually "quite watery" and have little practical significance. In the eyes of Betty Wong, a sophomore in the school's basic science class, "the primary school semester is like a holiday, listening to lectures, copying homework, playing games, sleeping, spending the rest of the time with my girlfriend, and then having a holiday". Some people even complain that the primary school semester takes up half of the summer vacation, leaving them no chance to go out for internship.
Many students said that if the difference between the primary school semester and the university semester is only the shortening of time and there is no innovation in teaching methods, it will become a burden for students.
In a classroom full of auto parts in Tsinghua University, Mr. Qiu Bin, a teacher from the Department of Automotive Engineering, told the reporter that when he was an undergraduate 2 1 year ago, he attended the summer school held by the school and studied BASIC language in a stuffy classroom. "Listening to the professor's words, it pains me to think that students from other schools are already enjoying their leisure summer vacation." Now that he has become a teacher, he doesn't want his students to make the same mistakes as teachers in the primary school semester.
"I don't ask for an exam, mainly to make up for the lack of students' usual classroom exercises." He pointed to the parts piled up in the classroom and said, "I'll teach you how to assemble car parts and disassemble engines." , and hand in homework or participate in defense in groups. "The operability of this course is very strong, which arouses students' enthusiasm for summer study." If it is still the same as usual, the teacher will tell students to listen, and the goal of improving students' practical ability in primary school will not be achieved. " Teacher Qiu said.
Inviting college students from all over the world to join China students in a one-month short-term semester, and hiring foreign university teachers to teach in English is a sign that most universities offering short-term semesters show their internationalization. However, the reporter found that students are actually more concerned about "no exams, little homework, and handing in a few papers", which is the main criterion when they choose courses.
"The most important thing for us students is to pass the exam." Xiao Tao from the Law Department of Peking University told the reporter, "It may be that the concept has not changed. When I encounter a difficult course, I will consider how to pass it. If you do well in the exam, everyone will lose enthusiasm. " During the reporter's interview, many students said that they "can understand the efforts made by the school to improve our comprehensive ability", but they are also helpless in the face of the reality that seemingly international primary schools encounter the exam-oriented education model. "You have to do your homework first, pass the exam and talk about the rest when you are free."
Miss Li of Michigan State University was invited to teach interactive advertising research course in School of Journalism, Renmin University of China. "My class doesn't have to take the exam." He said, "I am like a tour guide, leading everyone to take the sightseeing bus in Barcelona. Any student is a passenger on the bus. When they want to get off and visit the attractions they are interested in, I will give them a detailed explanation and guide them to visit in depth. "
In the first few classes, the "tour guide" showed students many cutting-edge advertising cases and research ideas that have never been seen in China. Students can choose related fields according to their interests and specialties, and then conduct in-depth research under the guidance of teachers, and finally submit papers.
In the last two classes, Miss Li sat in the coffee shop of the school and communicated with the students who handed in their papers. "I comment on their papers, which is actually an equal exchange. Sit at the same table and chat like friends so that I can know what they really think. " Teacher Li said: "As usual, in the same classroom, it is difficult to grasp the hearts of students. We hope to help students have their own research results without too much pressure. "
Professor David Jasper of the University of Glasgow in the United Kingdom introduced western culture to 40 college students at the Summer School of the National People's Congress. The professor, who has a deep knowledge of the Bible, commented that his students in China are "all diligent" and earnestly complete the reading tasks stipulated in the curriculum every day. But he also criticized frankly and tactfully. "They all work hard, but sometimes they work too hard and lack critical thinking." Professor David Jasper said, "I hope my students can put forward different opinions and argue with me. Maybe China students are more reserved, and they rarely do. " Mr. David Jasper may not understand that teachers in many universities in China don't encourage this kind of argument in class, and they can't help their students form such study habits.
Although there was resistance to the "small semester" at first, after the 26-day class, Xiao Chen of the National People's Congress and his classmates frankly felt the academic atmosphere and unique teaching mode of foreign universities, but "if this method is also integrated into the usual teaching, it is the best way for us to truly become international talents."