Professor Susan Drake from the School of Education at Brock University in Canada delivers a speech at the 17th Shanghai International Curriculum Forum at East China Normal University on Nov 1. [Photo/ecnu.edu.cn]

The Chinese Institute of Curriculum and Instruction held the 17th Shanghai International Curriculum Forum at East China Normal University from Nov 1 to 2.

The forum was attended by more than 300 experts and scholars specializing in curriculum design and teaching research from China and abroad.

Attendees discussed curriculum integration and how to improve curriculums throughout China and the world.

Cui Yunkuo, head of the Institute of Curriculum and Instruction (sponsored by China's Ministry of Education), welcomed guests at the opening ceremony. He said that curriculum design should serve students and cultivate a fine new generation for a better future.

Professor Susan Drake from the School of Education at Brock University in Canada affirmed the importance of curriculum integration in education reform. She discussed the development history, current situation, and goals of current courses, and hoped to see the development of a new type of interdisciplinary curriculum.

Professor Deng Zongyi from the School of Education at University College London said school courses and disciplines should be more considerate of the way people think of the world in the 21st century.

Scholars delivered reports on their latest research in the education field and expressed a desire to cooperate with the Institute of Curriculum and Instruction and East China Normal University.

More than 30 curriculum researchers and representatives of teachers discussed the planning and implementation of curriculum integration at a number of roundtable dialogues during the forum.