From Struggling Student to Stanford CTO: Paul Kim's Journey in Education Technology

Meet Paul Kim, Associate Dean and Chief Technology Officer at Stanford University Graduate School of Education, who turned his childhood curiosity into a passion for education technology innovation.

1. Paul Kim struggled in school in Korea due to being a "bad performer" and not agreeing with the traditional learning methods.
2. He found joy in teaching himself how to investigate and analyze things by taking apart appliances and electronics.
3. After high school, he decided to study in the US and enrolled in an ESL program due to his limited English skills.
4. Kim's first A in a US college course was in a music appreciation class, where he wrote a five-page essay in Korean and received positive feedback from his professor.
5. This experience taught him the importance of understanding students individually as an educator.
6. He pursued higher education in education technology to leverage his technical competencies in the field of education.
7. One of the major solutions he has developed is Smile, Stanford Mobile Inquiry Based Learning Environment, which encourages students to develop inquiry skills through asking questions.
8. Kim believes that asking questions can help individuals learn, change, and innovate, and his goal is to help students come up with important, critical questions.
9. He emphasizes the importance of self-regulation and metacognition as essential skills for future success.
10. Kim stresses the need for education systems to adapt to changing technology and teach students how to best utilize tools and networks around them.
11. Through his experiences, he has learned from inspirational students and strives to make high-quality education accessible to all learners.
12. He believes that education is the foundation for peace and prosperity for all.
13. Kim encourages a focus on new competencies required for success in the future rather than ancient skills that are no longer relevant.
14. Public schools often struggle with innovation due to safety concerns, large student-teacher ratios, and administrative burdens.
15. Teachers should have more autonomy to adapt and innovate within the education system.
16. Kim's personal background in engineering helped shape his approach to learning and education technology.
17. He values hands-on learning experiences and experimentation over traditional lecture-based methods.
18. The SMILE program has been implemented in various countries, including Ethiopia, with positive results.
19. Kim aims to help students develop a love for learning through the use of engaging materials that align with their interests.
20. He emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural nuances when teaching English language learners.
21. Education should empower and equip individuals with the skills needed to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing technological landscape.
22. Kim's personal journey from struggling student to successful educator demonstrates the transformative power of education.
23. He advocates for a holistic approach to education that goes beyond traditional teaching methods and incorporates technology, metacognition, and self-regulation.
24. As an associate dean and CTO at Stanford University Graduate School of Education, Kim continues to work towards creating high-quality education programs accessible to all learners.

Source: EO via YouTube

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