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Hi, I'm Yali Zhao, associate professor of social studies at the College of Education & Human Development and Head of GSU Virtual Exchange Programs at the Office of International Initiatives, Georgia State University. I graduated from the University of Georgia in 2004 with a Ph.D in social science education. I came to the US in 2000. Previously, I was an associate professor at the University of Science and Technology in Beijing, China. This is my 21st year at GSU. I'm excited to meet you all here.

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UPNFM Oficial, Tegucigalpa. 9,503 likes · 344 talking about this · 2 were here. Única universidad especializada en formar docentes en la región.

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The Education University of Hong Kong is a publicly funded tertiary institution dedicated to the advancement of learning and teaching, through a diverse offering of academic and research programmes on teacher education and complementary social sciences and humanities disciplines.

We nurture educators and social leaders who are intellectually active, socially caring, and globally aware, to become agents of change in the communities that they serve. We place great emphasis on research capability - our research will contribute to the advancement of knowledge, scholarship and innovation, with sustainable impact on social progress and human betterment.

EdUHK aims to be a leading university in the Asia Pacific region and beyond, with a focus on educational research, development and innovation.

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About EdUHK | The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK)

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The Education University of Hong Kong is a publicly funded tertiary institution dedicated to the advancement of learning and teaching, through a diverse offering of academic and research programmes on teacher education and complementary social sciences and humanities disciplines.

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Dr. Yanling Zhou is a developmental psychologist and a certified primary and secondary school teacher. Before transitioning to research, she spent over a decade as a language teacher and teacher trainer in primary and secondary schools. Her research focuses on developmental psychology, particularly the language and literacy development of Chinese and English as both first (L1) and second languages (L2) in typically developing children and those with learning difficulties in early education settings. She examines key factors such as the underlying mechanisms of literacy acquisition, parental influence, and language teaching pedagogies to inform effective educational practices.

Her recent research explores the integration of both digital (including AI) and non-digital tools in pedagogical design for language teaching, aiming to enhance early bilingual literacy education through innovative, research-driven approaches.

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Welcome to our 1st virtual exchange! This platform aims to bridge the cultural gap among students at Georgia State University (GSU), the Education University of Hong Kong (EDuHK), and Universidad Pedagógica Nacional Francisco Morazán (UPNFM) in Honduras through the power of dialogues and shared experiences. Students will embark on a journey of reciprocal learning, mutual understanding, and respect by sharing personal stories and academic experiences. This exchange is more than just a conversation; it's an opportunity to explore the diverse cultural education that defines our global community. Together, we uncover the unique stories that shape us, foster cross-cultural communication, and build friendships beyond borders. This is where we celebrate our differences and discover our common ground. Upon completing this VE, you will earn a Virtual Exchange Badge issued by GSU to certify your international learning achievements.

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Spring 2025 VE Project Descripton - Padlet

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An Enterprising Public Research Institution in the Heart of Atlanta

Blending academic rigor with a rich college experience since 1913, Georgia State University transforms the lives of students, advances the frontiers of knowledge and shapes future leaders. Enrolling one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation, the university provides associate-to-graduate-degree-level educational opportunities for tens of thousands across its downtown Atlanta Campus and five Perimeter College campuses. Graduating students from all backgrounds at equal, high rates, Georgia State is the national model for student success.

One of the Nation's Largest &
Most Diverse Universities

*U.S. News & World Report, 2024
**Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, 2022

National Model for Student Success

GEORGIA STATE IS RANKED No. 2 IN THE U.S. FOR INNOVATION* and recognized as the national model for how novel, data-informed initiatives drive student achievement. Conferring degrees to 10,000-plus students each year, Georgia State has experienced the most dramatic graduation-rate increase of any university in the country since 2003. By reducing the average time to earn a degree by nearly a whole semester, it has saved students and Georgia taxpayers millions of dollars in unnecessary tuition and fees.

*U.S. News & World Report, 2024

Widest Variety of Academic
Offerings in Georgia

Named No. 1 AMONG PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN THE U.S. for undergraduate
teaching,* Georgia State is home to 12 colleges, schools and institutes.
*U.S. News & World Report, 2024

Opportunity-Rich Campus in the Capital
of the Southeast U.S.

Georgia State's 100-acre-plus campus in the heart of Atlanta overlaps with some of the country's most influential businesses and organizations. Through proximity and key university relationships, students, staff and faculty enjoy unparalleled access to major attractions, industries and city opportunities. A hub of activity and productivity, the university brings enterprise to downtown and helps drive Atlanta's economy. Five Perimeter campus locations connect with the cities and communities of Clarkston, Decatur, Dunwoody, Newton and Alpharetta, expanding Georgia State's reach across the metro area.

Economic Engine & Catalyst for Growth

As Georgia State's physical footprint continues to expand through construction, acquisitions and adaptive reuse of historic buildings, it acts as a central catalyst for Atlanta's development, economic mobility and cultural vitality. Georgia State's investment in the city includes shaping the workforce by providing employment for thousands as well as career connections for alumni-nearly 70 percent of whom live and work in Atlanta.

One of the Nation's Fastest Growing Research Portfolios

Faculty funding hit $224.72 million in fiscal year 2023, the highest in Georgia State history. Expenditures have topped $1 billion in the last five years, and awards have exceeded $100 million for eight consecutive years,** making Georgia State the No. 5 FASTEST-GROWING RESEARCH INSTITUTION IN THE U.S.*

*Higher Education Research and Development Survey, 2023
**The Chronicle of Higher Education, 2022

No. 12 IN THE NATION (No. 1 IN GEORGIA) FOR R&D EXPENDITURES IN NON-SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FIELDS*

No. 19 IN THE NATION (No. 1 IN GEORGIA) FOR R&D EXPENDITURES IN SOCIAL SCIENCES*

Competitive Division 1 Athletics

Part of the Sun Belt Conference, the Georgia State Panthers play across 16 fully accredited NCAA Division 1 athletics teams.

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Georgia State University is an enterprising urban public research institution in Atlanta, the leading cultural and economic center of the Southeast.

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Dr. Dehua Liu is a professor of education at Hunan Normal University and a doctoral advisor in the field of educational principles. His research focuses on comparative studies of Chinese and Western cultures and their impact on education, curriculum and teaching reform in primary education, teacher education and professional development, and the intersection of science, culture, and education. He has published several books, over 90 academic papers, and leads national research projects on education reform. Dr. Liu holds a Ph.D. from East China Normal University and has conducted research visits at institutions in the United States, Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea. He also serves on multiple national education committees in China.

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Self-Introduction

https://padlet.com/yzhao48/us-hong-kong-china-honduras-ve-project-phase-1-p3ayd61ahpszpk7e

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Hello,

My name is Maybel Katerine Cisneros, and I am a Honduran educator currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Education at UPNFM. I have been working as a teacher and coordinator of the English program at the Universidad Pedagógica Nacional Francisco Morazán (UPNFM), CRU-Juticalpa.

I am passionate about creating multicultural educational projects and have had the opportunity to collaborate virtually with Georgia State University, which enriched my commitment to inclusive learning environments. I also had the pleasure of visiting the university in person, deepening my understanding of diverse educational practices.

I hope this course proves to be highly beneficial for students from the United States, China, and my home country of Honduras. I am delighted to collaborate with prestigious universities such as Georgia State University in the United States with Dr. Yali Zhao, and the Education University in Hong Kong with Dr. Zhou Yanling.

Greetings!