The Third Sogang K-MOOC Lunch Talk Concert Hosted by SGCTL

Sogang University Center for Teaching & Learning (SGCTL) held the third Sogang K-MOOC Lunch Talk Concert over three days on November 5, 8 and 9. K-MOOC stands for Korean Massive Open Online Course. The Lunch Talk Concert has been held every year since 2019. However, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Lunch Talk Concert was organized in a real-time non-contact form in the studio of Samsung Gabriel Hall. It was live-streamed on both the YouTube Sogang K-MOOC official account and ZOOM.

The most recent Lunch Talk Concert was intended for both on and off campus learners who are interested in Sogang K-MOOC and contained lectures by Sogang K-MOOC teachers. Professor Lee Ye-kyung who is the Director of the Center for Teaching & Learning said in her opening statement, “The Center for Teaching and Learning is committed to creating a barrier-free environment where everyone can take lectures, as highlighted by the spirit of K-MOOC and to fostering a voluntary MOOC-based learning community. In order to achieve this, Sogang University is developing and offering a range of excellent and unique lectures.” She also remarked, “I hope that the Lunch Talk Concert serves as a venue where Sogang K-MOOC teachers and learners meet in real-time and communicate in person to share what they want to know about lecture courses and explore answers, thereby providing an opportunity to experience the masterpiece lectures that are unique to Sogang.”

• Five online real-time lectures that provide practical information for modern people

▲ (From left) Professor Lee Uk-yeon from Chinese Culture and Professor Chae Seo-young from English Literature and Linguistics

To start with, in the first session, Professor Lee Uk-yeon from the Department of Chinese Culture gave a lecture on “Lǔ Xùn and Modern Times: Ah Q and Ah Q’s Era, and Us.” Based on the understanding of “The True Story of Ah Q” and “Spiritual Victory” of Lǔ Xùn, the lecture provided the opportunity to cultivate critical thinking and life wisdom. On the same day, Professor Chae Seo-young from the Department of English Literature and Linguistics offered a lecture called “Tips for Overcoming an English Barrier for Undergraduate Students and Office Workers.” She presented on accurate pronunciation through understanding the characteristics of English and offered up tips on English conversations and presentations that learners can employ in their real lives.

▲ (From top left) Professor Chong Chae-hyun from Philosophy and Professor Kim Hyeong-min from European Languages and Cultures

(Bottom) Choi Dai-hyuk from the Graduate School of Education

During the second session, Professor Chong Chae-hyun from the Department of Philosophy gave a lecture entitled,” Hundred School of Thoughts” and talked about worries, the critical consciousness, and solutions from the hundred school of thoughts that can enlighten people in a contemporary setting. Professor Kim Hyeong-min from the Department of European Languages and Cultures offered an easy and enjoyable lecture on “Public Holidays of German-Speaking Countries” to help understand the public holiday cultures of German-speaking countries. 

The third session that was aired on the last day featured “Exercise Physiology: Runner’s High” by Professor Choi Dai-hyuk from the Graduate School of Education. Throughout the third days lecture he provided additional information on running as an exercise, such as running efficiently and the brain’s reaction during exercise. At the end of each lecture, teachers and learners were able to communicate with each other via Q&A sessions which included pre-prepared and on-the-spot questions from learners.

• Wrapped up successfully with enthusiastic participation by 353 learners and dynamic live Q&A sessions

Learners who took part in the third Sogang K-MOOC Lunch Talk Concert dispensed the following reviews, “Lectures and Q&A sessions with detailed answers from lecturers were very intensive and informative”; “Since lectures were given during lunch time, I thought it was good that I was able to attend the lectures even while at work.” The concert ended successfully with the cumulative number of participants reaching 353 on the YouTube real-time streaming channel and ZOOM.

The Center for Teaching and Learning intends to progressively approach learners not only through newly developed lectures but also via various programs and events held each year. K-MOOC lectures are posted on the K-MOOC web page and more information can be found on relevant programs and events on the Center for Teaching and Learning web page.

- Sogang K-MOOC web page: http://www.kmooc.kr/school/SOGANGk/

- Sogang K-MOOC’s official YouTube account: Search K-MOOC at YouTube

- Center for Teaching and Learning web page: https://sgctl.sogang.ac.kr/ctl/main/main_form.acl