RealLives: Five Years of Empowering Korean Education

Introduction

It has been a remarkable journey for RealLives since its first introduction to South Korea in 2018, thanks to an invitation from Ashoka's Korea office. Five years on, this pioneering immersive simulation platform has transformed educational practices across the country, reaching over in secondary and high schools, as well as being incorporated into MBA and Nursing courses at four universities.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Ashoka Korea team and Ashoka Korea's Country Director Hae-young Lee , whose invitation initiated RealLives' Korean journey. We acknowledge the innovative teachers and professors who dared to trial RealLives, designing new pedagogies and curricula that have truly enriched our students' educational experiences. Above all, we express our deep admiration for the young Koreans whose adeptness in technology and enthusiasm for gaming have made RealLives' Korean journey an incredibly rewarding adventure.

Celebrating the Five-Year Milestone: The RealLives Achievement Sharing Meeting and Workshop

As we approach this five-year anniversary, we are delighted to announce the upcoming RealLives Achievement Sharing Meeting and Workshop. Scheduled for August 11, 2023, at Hanyang University, Seoul, this event will not only mark the milestone but also serve as a platform to reflect, share experiences, and look forward to RealLives' promising future.

The Korean Translation Challenge: A Testament to Collaboration

One of the most formidable challenges we faced on our journey was creating a Korean version of RealLives. As a simulation game that uses text and is driven by a myriad of variables, aligning the dynamics of RealLives with the nuances of Korean grammar presented an enormous hurdle. We were in desperate need of a translator to help bridge this linguistic gap.

Recognizing the power of collective effort, we turned to our LinkedIn network, calling for volunteers to assist us with the translation process. The response we received was overwhelmingly positive, but one volunteer in particular stood out - Ms. Lidia B. . Her dedication and linguistic prowess played a pivotal role in bringing the Korean version of RealLives to life.

Support for our endeavor extended beyond individual volunteers. A startup company, Nest4Next, also stepped forward to assist us, further testament to the collaborative spirit that has driven the success of RealLives in Korea. We were further blessed with the help of Dr. Junggoog Go and several enthusiastic students from schools across the country.

The successful creation of the Korean version of RealLives is a powerful example of what can be achieved when a community comes together to support a shared vision. We are incredibly grateful for the collective efforts of all those who played a part in this achievement.RealLives: Empowering Global Citizenship

RealLives is more than just an educational tool. It empowers students to become global citizens, fostering empathy, social skills, and a broad understanding of the world's diverse cultures. By immersing students in scenarios across different socio-economic and geopolitical contexts, it prepares them to engage with the complexity of our global society while actively promoting sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Hanyang University: Pioneering the Use of RealLives

The first and only Ashoka U Changemaker Campus in Northeast Asia, Hanyang University, has led the way in integrating RealLives into its curriculum. Under the guidance of Professor Hyun S. Shin , students are learning to empathize and creatively problem-solve, embodying Ashoka's core values for changemakers: creativity, empathy, and collaboration.

Breaking New Ground: The Global Social Entrepreneurship Course at Sungkyunkwan University

In another landmark innovation, Professor @Won jun lee (https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/won-jun-lee-24840617/?originalSubdomain=kr) of the MBA department at Sungkyunkwan University launched the 'Global Social Entrepreneurship' course. This three-month program, the first of its kind in SKK University's MBA department, integrated SDGs with social entrepreneurship education. It exemplifies the innovative pedagogical strategies adopted by Korean educators, leveraging the potential of RealLives to empower students with the knowledge and skills necessary to be global changemakers.

Further amplifying this innovative journey, Professor Won Jun Lee's department at Sungkyunkwan University along with HBM Social Cooperative's CEO Mr. Kyunghyun Rio Kim has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with RealLives. This MOU is a testament to the collaborative commitment to continually explore innovative pedagogical approaches, expanding the potential of RealLives within the university's curriculum and beyond. This partnership opens a gateway for more groundbreaking courses in the future, further strengthening the transformational impact of RealLives in the Korean educational landscape.?

A Significant Partnership: MOU between Korea University's Department of Education and RealLives

In a significant step forward, the Department of Education at Korea University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with RealLives. Led by Prof. Nansook Yu, this partnership aims to integrate RealLives into their graduate and post-graduate programs, providing students with a unique educational experience that equips them with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to navigate a complex and rapidly changing world.

Alongside Prof. Yu, Prof. Kim has been instrumental in forging this partnership. The MOU extends beyond the university's walls, laying the groundwork for research and the expansion of RealLives into Korean secondary and high schools.?

An essential element of this collaboration is the training of home economics teachers. By equipping teachers with the knowledge and skills to leverage RealLives in the classroom, this MOU supports the development of innovative pedagogical practices that can empower students to become engaged members of society and global citizens.

This partnership underscores the shared commitment between the Department of Education at Korea University and RealLives in transforming educational experiences, and it sets a robust foundation for future collaboration and innovation.?

RealLives Across Korea: Insights from the Ground

From Seoul to Busan and Gwangju, educators across Korea have adopted RealLives, incorporating it into their unique teaching methods. The insights gleaned from these varied implementations provide invaluable data, helping to refine RealLives to better suit the Korean education ecosystem and contributing to the evolution of global education.

Join the RealLives Education Community

Beyond the event, we're inviting educators to join the dynamic RealLives Education Community in Korea. This platform facilitates the exchange of ideas, experiences, and innovative teaching methodologies. Members can provide direct feedback and suggestions to the RealLives Foundation, ensuring that the platform continues to evolve in response to educators' needs.

Looking to the Future

As we commemorate the five-year milestone of RealLives in South Korea, we encourage educators to join us in shaping the future of education. Your participation, insights, and experiences are vital to continuing the revolution that RealLives has begun, cultivating a new generation of students ready to face global complexities with empathy, understanding, and innovative problem-solving skills.

Bless us on August 11, 2023, to celebrate this important milestone and contribute to the future of education as a changemaker. Together, we can continue to empower the next generation of global leaders.

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