Science education in Republic of Korea : Fostering gifted students

Abstract

Rapid movement of ICT increases internationalization of society and demands structural switch of industry in each country. Because rapidity of technological innovation is accelerated in industrial community, companies must keep creating new technologies for existence. Japan must tackle development of excellent researchers and engineers to resolve this situation and to exist as world leader in science and technology. It is necessary to foster leaders who have out-of-the-box ideas as well as to gain the number of scientists and engineers for this approach. This is because that drastic technical innovation by the idea that far exceeds current science level ensures a post of world leader for Japan. It has just started in Japan though various attempts were made in various foreign countries to develop the leader who is able to contribute it to this drastic reformation. It is necessary to examine the educational contents and the methods to continue the attempts in Japan. Therefore, this paper investigates and analyzes education for gifted children in Republic of Korea which has similar educational system in Japan. As a result, following characteristics are revealed. (1) It aims to develop an individual to a maximum extent. (2) It functionally ties up with the educational system to find and foster gifted children. (3) To ensure approach described above, it sets up special exception in traditional school system and nationally promote it. (4) It adapts original methods and improves curriculum in the educational system. (5) It uses the power of University to a maximum extent.