On Improvements in Korean University Value Education

Sohn, Dong Hyun; Hong, Kyung Nam; Baek, Song Ee

Korean Journal of General Education 2013;7(1):259-294.
Published online February 28, 2013.

Dong Hyun Sohn, Kyung Nam Hong, Song Ee Baek

한국 대학교 가치관 교육의 개선 방향에 관하여

손동현, 홍경남, 백송이

Abstract

Based on the prior search-results on the change of values in Korean undergraduate students, we observed the typical value transition from communism to individualism, which may involve the possible problem of value difference between the former and the latter-oriented generations. In order to grasp the status of value education for solving the value difference problem in Korean university institutions, we conducted searches of detecting the aims of university general education and the real education practices. It turned out that the educational efforts needed for the problem solving were not properly made. Furthermore, it is period-required to cultivate the virtue values for critical thinking, such as independency, reflection and creativity, but the contrary traits of passivity and dependency rather spreaded among the students while being focused in teaching. In relation to the possible identity loss under the internet cyber-environment, it is needed in education to connect the virtual reality with real things, but the needed educational efforts were also made little. We gave some proposals of solving the value-related problems, and urged the self-conscious value reflection in both sides of the teachers and the students.

Key Words: Value, General Education, Value Difference, Value Education, Critical Thinking