Experiential Learning in General Education
Experiential Learning in General Education
Speakers:
Dr. Li Ming Kenneth (Office of University General Education)
Prof. Lam Weng Cheong (Department of Anthropology & Department of History)
Date: 2 June 2021
Time: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Venue: ZOOM
Language: Cantonese
Experiential learning has been increasingly important in higher education in recent years. This learning mode allows students to apply classroom knowledge into practice, which inspires them to have a deeper understanding of the subject. Experiential learning also emphasizes students’ interaction with the environment and with others. By doing so, it encourages students to be active agents, and thus helps nurture them to become responsible global citizens and leaders.
In this GE lunch seminar, we have invited Dr. Li Ming Kenneth and Prof. Lam Wen Cheong to share their experience in conducting experiential learning in General Education.
Dr. Li will share the design and learning outcome of adding an agricultural experience element in the science classics reading course UGFN 1000 In Dialogue with Nature. He would also introduce the course design and effectiveness of a summer course UGEB2296 Experiencing and Rethinking Science and Technology in Agriculture, with a sharing on the challenges and reflection of experiential learning during COVID 19 though online teaching.
On the other hand, according to Prof. Lam Weng Cheong, teaching humanities is encountering more and more challenges in modern days, especially when “factual knowledge” becomes easily accessible. However, Prof. Lam argues that we should not lose sight of the important value of the humanities, which is to offer different perspectives on long-term social traditions navigating the development of history. Based on his teaching of four General Education courses related to archaeology, Prof. Lam in this seminar will share how he views teaching as a precious opportunity to learn: to reflect on the relevance between his teaching subjects and daily life, and to explore how to add more meaning to learning experience of the human past.
Speakers' Bio
Dr. Li Ming Kenneth obtained his B.Sc. and M.Phil. degrees in Biology, and Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Dr. Li is currently a Lecturer in the Office of University General Education. Dr. Li has taught the General Education Foundation course UGFN1000 In Dialogue with Nature and the blended learning version of the course (UGFN1001) for a cross-institutional course-sharing project with students coming from three other local universities. Dr. Li is devoted to developing student-centered pedagogy, including flipped classrooms, blended learning, peer-assisted learning, and experiential learning. His initiative of experiential learning through rooftop farming has enriched students’ learning experience. Extending this good practice, Dr. Li has developed UGEB2296 Experiencing and Rethinking Science and Technology in Agriculture, an experiential learning course on modern agriculture, permaculture and related sustainable development goals. Dr. Li has endeavored to explore opportunities for students to learn beyond the courses to accelerate their growth and development. Dr. Li has also taught GESH1010 Orientation and Outreach. Dr. Li received the Exemplary Teaching Award in General Education 2019 and the Vice-Chancellor’s Exemplary Teaching Award 2019.
Prof. Lam Weng Cheong has been teaching at The Chinese University of Hong Kong under the joint appointment by the Department of Anthropology and the Department of History since 2015. Professor Lam has taught four General Education courses, namely, UGEA2330 Chinese Cultural Heritage, UGEB2502 Human Evolution, UGEB2505 Deciphering the Past: Culture, Archaeology and Science, and UGEC1633 Understanding Archaeology. His research currently focuses on ancient market exchange and the development of metal technology in ancient China. Professor Lam believes that the role of a teacher is to make academic knowledge easier to understand and to inspire students to see the connections between the past and the present in human societies. Prof. Lam received the Faculty of Arts Outstanding Teaching Award 2016 and the Exemplary Teaching Award in General Education 2019.
Presentation Powerpoint (Li Ming) (Login required)
