Interviewer and Editor by: Frankie Yeh

VIS Co-Founder Principal Richard Huang: Empowering the Next Generation Through Project-Based Learning and Sustainable Education

In an ever changing world educational institutions must evolve to equip students with the critical 21st century skills high in demand across the modern world. Since 2019, Richard Huang, Chancellor of Taipei VIS@betterworld lab Experimental Education, has been at the forefront of experiential education. Recognizing the pressing need for an innovative and pertinent approach to learning, VIS embarked on a mission to transform Taiwanese education through Project-Based Learning (PBL).

 

Experiential Education and Critical Thinking

Richard Huang's journey into the realm of innovative education began with a simple yet profound realization: Taiwan's traditional education system struggles to provide students with the essential skills required to thrive in the modern world. The overemphasis on rote memorization and textbook-based learning falls short in cultivating innovation, problem-solving skills, and interdisciplinary collaboration—qualities indispensable in our rapidly changing landscape.

Project-Based Learning (PBL) is a pedagogical approach encouraging active inquiry, critical thinking, and collaboration to solve real-world problems, enhancing subject knowledge and nurturing creativity and teamwork. Recognizing the demand for Taiwanese students to possess these skills, Richard Huang introduced PBL education to VIS@betterworld lab Experimental Education, setting the school on a path toward nurturing well-rounded global citizens

At the heart of VIS's educational philosophy is the belief that every student possesses unique talents and interests. To unlock each child's potential, the school has designed a diverse curriculum that offers a broad range of subject choices. VIS incorporates practical learning and real-world applications into its educational approach, allowing students to discover their strengths and passions.

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International Vision and Global Citizenship

VIS's educational model extends beyond academics; it fosters students' worldview and instills sustainability concepts. The curriculum design seamlessly integrates interdisciplinary elements, motivating students to explore problems from multiple academic perspectives. This interdisciplinary approach helps students develop a global perspective, appreciate the interrelationships between different fields, and gain an understanding of the world's diversity.

The school places a robust emphasis on experiential learning, encouraging students to actively engage in community projects, field trips, and real-world problem-solving. These experiences sensitize students to social and environmental issues, empowering them to identify sustainable solutions and make a positive impact on the world.  Through teaching and campus practices, the school cultivates values of environmental respect and social responsibility, shaping students into active participants in global sustainability issues.

VIS encourages students to seize learning opportunities, including international exchanges and volunteer service programs. These experiences expose students to different cultures and challenges, igniting their passion to contribute to global sustainability efforts.

Aligning With International Universities for Global Success

In today's interconnected world, many students aspire to attend top foreign universities. VIS recognizes the significance of assisting students in achieving this goal. The school offers professional college counseling services, guiding students through standardized tests, university applications, and essay writing.

VIS has also forged partnerships with various overseas universities, providing students with opportunities for exchange programs, summer courses, and collaborative projects. Placing a strong emphasis on nurturing well-rounded students, VIS's curriculum design emphasizes critical thinking, communication skills, and leadership—skills that hold value not only for international university applications but also for future career experiences.

VIS has embarked on a transformative educational journey, recognizing the necessity for innovation and relevance in education. Through Project-Based Learning (PBL) and an unwavering commitment to sustainability, VIS empowers its students to become well-rounded, globally minded individuals prepared to confront challenges of the future. As VIS continues to evolve and refine its approach, it stands as a beacon of progressive education in Taiwan, nurturing the leaders of tomorrow.

VIS聯合創始人暨總校長黃禮騏：藉由PBL學習模式和永續教育培養下一代的力量

在當今快速變化的世界中，教育機構必須不斷發展，才足以為學生提供21世紀成功所需的關鍵技能。自2019年以來，臺北市VIS國際實驗教育總校長黃禮騏一直站在體驗式教育的前沿。他知曉教育迫切需要一種創新和切實可行的學習方法，因此發軔執行PBL專案導向學習（PBL）來改變臺灣的教育。

 

體驗式教育和批判性思維

黃校長進入創新教育領域的旅程始於一個簡單卻深刻的體悟：臺灣傳統教育體系難以為學生提供於現今蓬勃發展的社會中所需之基本技能。過度強調死記硬背和以教科書為基礎的學習皆不足以培養創新、問題解決能力和跨學科合作能力，而這些能力在現今迅速變化的環境中是不可或缺的重要能力。

專案導向學習（PBL）是一種鼓勵積極探究、批判性思維和合作，以解決真實世界問題的教育方法，提升學科知識，培養創造力和團隊合作精神。 黃校長深深體悟到臺灣學生需要具備這些技能的需求，因此將PBL教育方式執行於臺北市VIS國際實驗教育，使VIS致力邁向培養學生成為全面向的世界公民。

VIS教育理念的核心是相信每位學生都擁有獨特的才華和興趣。為了啟發每位學生的潛力，VIS設計多元的課程，提供廣泛多元的科目可以選擇。 VIS將真實社會的狀況和應用融入其教育方法，使學生能夠發現自己的優勢和激發起熱忱。

 

國際視野和世界公民意識

臺北市VIS國際實驗教育的教育模式不僅限於學術領域，同時也培養學生的世界觀並灌輸可持續發展的概念。課程設計整合跨學科的要素，激勵學生從多面向的學術角度探索問題。這種跨學科方法幫助學生發展全球視野，觀察不同領域之間的相互關係，並了解世界的多樣性。

VIS強調體驗式學習，鼓勵學生積極參與社區議題、實地考察和解決真實世界存在的問題。這些經驗讓學生對社會和環境議題有更切身的認識，使他們有能力找到可持續的解決方案，並對世界產生正向積極的影響。透過教學和校園實踐，VIS培育學生對環境尊重和社會責任價值觀，塑造學生成為全球可持續發展議題的積極參與者。

VIS鼓勵學生把握學習機會，包括國際交流和志工服務。這些經驗使學生接觸不同的文化和挑戰，激發學生對全球可持續發展努力的熱情。

 

透過與國際大學合作，實現國際接軌

當今緊密互聯的世界中，許多學生渴望進入國外頂尖大學。 VIS深知協助學生實現這一目標的重要性。VIS提供專業的大學升學輔導，指導學生可參與標準化考試、大學申請和寫作。

VIS也與世界各國大學建立了合作夥伴關係，為學生提供交換學生計劃、暑期課程和課程合作的機會。VIS的課程設計強調批判性思維、溝通技巧和領導力，這些技能不僅在世界各國大學申請中更有價值，也對未來職業經驗產生重要的影響。

VIS已啟動一個創新轉型的教育計劃，知曉教育中創新和相關性的必要性。通過專案導向學習（PBL）和對可持續發展的堅定理念，VIS賦予學生全面發展和全球思維的能力，為未來的挑戰做好準備。隨著VIS不斷發展和完備的教學方法，使VIS成為了臺灣先進教育的典範，並積極培育未來的領袖。