ICI Communication ║ Professor Cui Yunhuo Introduces Learning-Centered Lesson Plans in a Harvard Graduate Class

On November 26, Professor Cui introduced the concept of "unit-based instructional design" via video. He analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of traditional lesson plans, which were typically structured around individual class periods. He further explained that the new curriculum emphasizes the implementation of academic quality and core competencies. To achieve this, educators must transform "the beauty we envision" into "a visible landscape," and then concretely into "a destination students can reach." This requires expanding the unit of instructional operation from single class periods to broader units. Additionally, he noted that traditional lesson plans are often written from the teacher’s perspective, whereas the new approach focuses on the student’s learning process, aiming to create a supportive plan that helps students understand how they will achieve mastery.

Professor Cui also shared examples of "learning-centered lesson plans" designed by master teachers. The graduate students expressed strong agreement and resonance with the shift in focus—from "teaching-centered" to "learning-centered" lesson planning.

On December 4, Professor Cui Yunhuo and Associate Professor Shi Yuchen provided feedback on the students’ lesson designs and facilitated a Q&A session. The group under review had designed a lesson plan for a middle school history class on the "Self-Strengthening Movement." Group members shared their thoughts on how teachers should frame discussion questions, incorporate reading materials beyond the textbook, and organize group discussions.

Professor Cui praised the group’s instructional design and offered his insights on setting clear learning objectives and sparking student interest during the lesson introduction phase.

During the final Q&A session, participants engaged in deep discussions on topics such as interdisciplinary design, the impact of smart technology on schools, and the potential for reform in China’s curriculum standards. The session concluded on a lively and thought-provoking note. Through this exchange, Professor Cui not only introduced the concept of "learning-centered lesson plans" but also shared the latest developments in China’s curriculum and teaching reforms, fostering a meaningful dialogue and exchange of educational ideas between China and the U.S.