‘Turning abandoned mines into playgrounds’... Entrepreneurship teaching materials created by teachers set to be released

[Financial News] Teaching materials for entrepreneurship education, designed to foster students’ can-do spirit and problem-solving skills, were unveiled for the first time on the 9th for use in elementary, middle and high schools nationwide. The Korean Federation of Teachers’ Associations (KFTA) and the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) Entrepreneurship Development Center have published an ‘Entrepreneurship Education Guidebook,’ developed by bringing together ideas from teachers in the field, and are beginning pilot distribution.
The guidebook’s most notable feature is that it includes vivid lesson examples teachers can use right away in the classroom. For example, a lesson in Gangwon Province poses the question, ‘How can we put a closed-down abandoned mine to use?’ Students then come up with business ideas of their own, such as a cave attraction or an indoor playground, to address local problems. Tailored to the characteristics of six regions across the country, including the Chungcheong and Jeolla regions, the guidebook comprises eight class sessions and transforms ordinary lessons exploring local areas into a place where tomorrow’s entrepreneurs can develop their ideas.
The teaching materials are the fruit of the ‘Ingenious Teachers’ Camp’ held by the two organizations over the past winter break. Teachers in the field designed the lesson plans themselves to help students learn the can-do spirit and values of innovation they will need in life, including how to turn local limitations into opportunities.
The KFTA and FKI plan to distribute the guidebook first to 11 elementary, middle and high schools nationwide for use in their classes, and then make it available free of charge on each organization’s website so that more schools can use it.
KFTA President Kang Ju-ho stressed the importance of supporting classroom-centered instruction, saying, “I hope these teaching materials, which reflect teachers’ concerns and passion, will lay the foundation for strengthening students’ problem-solving skills.” Jeong Cheol, head of FKI’s Entrepreneurship Development Center, also said, “We will continue to expand teacher training and support to help promote entrepreneurship education activities led by teachers.”

[email protected] Kim Man-gi Reporter