Abstract

• One of the goals in the CUHK 2016-2020 Strategic Plan is “To adopt innovative pedagogies for continuous teaching enhancement”. This project aims to develop an integrated learning platform for the eight University General Education (UGE) courses currently offered by the School of Life Sciences. It adopts the principles of a modified social science research method called “photo-elicitation”.


• The key components of each UGE courses include a set of selected scientific theories, applications, appreciation and the ethical concerns of the use of new technologies. Because of the learners’ diversity, students often find it difficult to follow the teaching of abstract scientific concepts and make connections among the seemingly isolated theories.


• The use of narrative inquiry with photography allows students to construct the scientific concepts with respect to their prior knowledge and learning experience. Not only can it help students make connections among topics, but also promote their awareness of social implications of new technologies, such as genetically modified food and stem cells research.


• Presented with a photo which typically shows intriguing objects or events, students are motivated to learn by making use of their imagination, creativity, logical thinking and experience in addition to prior knowledge. The result of this complex cognitive process can be transformed into a reflective article or descriptive narrative, which is to be shared among their peers.