Showcase 4: The Power of Words: A University-wide project to encourage extensive and proactive reading and writing among students (書寫力量)

Introduction:

The Power of Words (書寫力量) is a showcase of good practice in language education by integrating experiential learning into students’ university life and reaching out to the Hong Kong society through various collaborations. It started with the writing of poems at up to 25 locations in the CUHK campus. A series of talks, for instance “Dialogues in the Arts”, and other collaboration events such as university-wide writing events, cultural performances, exhibitions and film screenings were organized to introduce the world of literature to both CUHK students and members of the Hong Kong society. The project demonstrates a good practice in documentation by making all the videos and other multi-media resources accessible by the public on its Facebook page and blog. These social media platforms allow the interaction between CUHK students and other audiences. The success of this project attracted public attention with various invitations of collaborations received from within and beyond CUHK. After the publication of the essay collection “A Day at CUHK in the 21st Century” contributed by students, colleagues and alumni, the project continued with the ‘glass poetry exhibition’, i.e., the display of hand-written poems on glass windows in different locations of the CUHK campus, with funding support from the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (ADC). The ‘glass poems’ has become an iconic attraction on CUHK campus now. It has inspired literature teachers and lovers from high schools, bookstores and even restaurants to start writing poems. Although the funding ended in 2015, the project went on with the enthusiastic participation of students and colleagues. The achievement of this project is beyond expectation.

Project theme(s):

Language education
Experiential learning
Student learning and experience

Faculty(ies)/ Department(s):

Independent Learning Centre
Department of Chinese Language and Literature
The Office of the Arts Administrator
The University Library

Principal Supervisor(s):

Dr. Chan Yin Ha

Co-supervisor(s):

Dr. Chao Lip Yan
Dr. Raymond Tsz Hong Chau
Prof. Fan Sin Piu
Ms Chung Siu Mui
Mr. Ma Fai Hung

Period:

TDG 2012-15 triennium