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Saturday 27 April 2024
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Active Learning Series: Active learning – Why bother and how to start?

Active Learning Series: Active Learning – Why bother and how to start?
Organised by Centre for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (CETL)

Series Abstract
In light of the ongoing renewal of curricula, advances in pedagogy, and the integration of new digital technology in higher education, there is a pressing need to explore more innovative approaches to engage students through active learning. To support teachers in this endeavor, the Centre for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (CETL) is launching a new Active Learning Series in May. This series aims to foster greater student engagement and motivation by implementing pedagogical strategies that leverage cutting-edge technologies.

The Active Learning Series will provide a platform for exploring the latest teaching and learning strategies developments, featuring speakers from HKU and overseas. The series will focus on innovative approaches facilitating student-centered learning, collaboration, and critical thinking. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in various teaching and learning techniques and collaborate with colleagues to design and implement innovative approaches customized to their students’ needs and interests.

Overall, the Active Learning Series represents a valuable opportunity for teachers to enhance their teaching skills and stay at the forefront of pedagogical innovation in higher education while providing students with an engaging and effective learning experience.

[4 May 2023] Talk 1: Promoting active learning in a synchronous hybrid learning environment - a workshop on designing learning games
Talk 1: Promoting active learning in a synchronous hybrid learning environment - a workshop on designing learning games

Date : 4 May 2023 (Thu)
Time : 1:00pm – 2:00pm (HKT, UTC+8)
Venue : CETL Learning Lab (RRS 321, 3/F, Run Run Shaw Building, Main Campus, HKU)
Speaker : Dr. Tris Kee, Senior Lecturer, CETL

Abstract
Teaching and Learning in higher education is undergoing a paradigm shift with the advent of Generative A.I., hybrid, and hyflex learning. In light of these developments, this seminar and workshop on active learning seek to explore novel approaches that leverage gamification software to design collaborative games in a synchronous hybrid learning environment. The objective is to promote student engagement, foster interaction between students and instructors, and enhance assessment and feedback. During the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to co-design using 2D and 3D tools to brainstorm and refine their ideas to enhance different pedagogical practices.

About the speaker

Dr. Tris Kee
Dr. Tris Kee is a Senior Lecturer at the Centre for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, a part-time Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Hong Kong, and an Adjunct Associate Professor at Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne. Tris has nineteen years of full-time academic experience in teaching, research and knowledge exchange in both UGC-funded and self-funded higher education institutions in Hong Kong and overseas. She has led and collaborated on over fifty problem-based learning projects, working with academics from other universities, industry and government departments on adaptive learning, creative learning environment and designing hybrid learning environments. Tris researches on problem-based learning, experiential learning, and innovative learning environments. Her papers have been published in Sustainable Development (Impact factor 6.159), Journal of Problem-Based Learning (Impact factor 1.595), and Journal of Inclusive Education (Impact factor, 3.133).
[11 May 2023] Talk 2: Using the Goal-Access-Feedback-Challenge-Collaboration-Fantasy gamification model to foster active learning strategies in virtual teaching and learning
Talk 2: Using the Goal-Access-Feedback-Challenge-Collaboration-Fantasy gamification model to foster active learning strategies in virtual teaching and learning

Date : 11 May 2023 (Thu)
Time : 1:00pm – 2:00pm (HKT, UTC+8)
Venue : CETL Learning Lab (RRS 321, 3/F, Run Run Shaw Building, Main Campus, HKU)
Speaker : Professor Timothy Hew, Professor, Academic Unit of Human Communication, Development, and Information Sciences, Faculty of Education, HKU


Abstract
Although the use of fully online learning has grown significantly over the last three years due to the pandemic, it is still viewed as a weaker option than face-to-face in-person learning. Specifically, the lack of student engagement in online learning activities remain a persistent problem to many educators. In this seminar, I shall describe the use of gamification as a strategy to engage online students. Despite the buzz around gamification as a possible method to engage individuals, it has also attracted considerable controversy and disparaging labels such as ‘gamification is bullshit’, ‘pointsification’, and ‘gamification backlash’. Drawing upon several theoretical perspectives, I will present a theory-driven “meaningful gamification” model called the GAFCC-F model comprising of goals, access, feedback, challenge, collaboration, and fantasy. In this presentation, I will highlight some of the important findings regarding the effect of this model on student engagement. I will also discuss some of the main lessons learned.

About the speaker

Professor 
 Timothy Hew
Professor Timothy Hew is a Professor of Information and Technology Studies at the Faculty of Education, the University of Hong Kong (HKU). Trained as a Systems Engineer with a bachelor degree in Computer Technology, Professor Hew had worked for 4 years in Sony before entering the educational field. He has a master degree in Instructional Design and Technology, and a PhD in Instructional Systems Technology from Singapore and USA respectively. His primary research interests are in how technology can be used to support learning and engagement in both formal and informal contexts. Professor Hew has been listed as a World Top 1% scholar in his field by Essential Science Indicators based on Web of Science indexed journal article citations from 2015 till present. Professor Hew has won more than 50 types of international recognitions and awards, including various best/excellent paper awards, and highly-cited/most-cited article recognitions.
[18 May 2023] Talk 3: The use of active learning to promote nursing students’ clinical competence and clinical reasoning
Talk 3: The use of active learning to promote nursing students’ clinical competence and clinical reasoning

Date : 18 May 2023 (Thu)
Time : 1:00pm – 2:00pm (HKT, UTC+8)
Venue : CETL (RRS 321, 3/F, Run Run Shaw Building, Main Campus, HKU)
Speakers :
Dr. Veronica Lam, Principal Lecturer, School of Nursing, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, HKU
Ms. Jessica Cheuk, Lecturer, School of Nursing, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, HKU

Abstract
Nurse educators are constantly striving to promote clinical competence and clinical reasoning skills in nursing students. Active learning is an effective approach to achieving this, as it requires students to engage in the learning process earnestly through experiential opportunities. Two TDG projects, Simulation Ward (SimWard) and Interactive hybrid teaching mode, were implemented with an active learning approach, and positive outcomes and responses were received from students. SimWard allowed students to practice what they learned with simulated patients and simulators, while Interactive hybrid teaching provided an opportunity for students to practice their clinical reasoning skills by making nursing decisions in managing patients with various clinical conditions. These innovative teaching strategies provide nursing students with platforms to transfer knowledge in caring for patients and boost their self-confidence.

About the speakers

Dr. Veronica Lam
Dr. Veronica Lam is the Principal Lecturer and the Associate Director of the Bachelor of Nursing (FT) Programme and Director of Master of Science in Nursing Programme in the School of Nursing in the University of Hong Kong. She is the external examiner for three Hospital Authority nursing schools and the external advisor of nursing programmes in two Hong Kong nursing institutions. Veronica is a Registered Nurse and specializes in Paediatric and Neonatal ICU Nursing. She worked in the P&NICU in HK and Sydney for many years before moving to the academic sector over 15 years ago. Veronica current leads a team in promoting and enhancing various teaching paedagogies with the use of advance technology, such as simulation, VR and Robots.
Ms. Jessica Cheuk
Ms. Jessica Cheuk is the Lecturer at the School of Nursing and has extensive experience in clinical education. Apart from completing her Master degree in nursing, she also earned another Master degree in the Faculty of Education at HKU. The course equipped her in the development of eLearning and simulation in nursing education. And she is currently studying a Doctoral of Nursing, and her research interest is virtual simulation. She received Teaching Development Grants from HKU in 2022 on using interactive teaching to promote self-regulated learning.
[30 May 2023] Talk 4: Digital literacy on the design and orchestration of active learning in online, blended, or hybrid education
Talk 4: Digital literacy on the design and orchestration of active learning in online, blended or hybrid education

Date : 30 May 2023 (Tue)
Time : 12:30pm – 2:00pm (HKT, UTC+8)
Venue : Zoom
Speaker : Professor Tim Fawns, Associate Professor (Education Focused), Monash Education Academy – an academic part of the learning and teaching centre, Monash University

Abstract
I discuss aspects of digital literacy that relate to the design and orchestration of active learning in online, blended or hybrid education. Firstly, I present an account of educational practice in which teaching methods and technologies are entangled with particular contextual elements, purposes and values. From there, I discuss how digital literacy relates to active learning from teacher and student perspectives. From each perspective, digital literacy entails knowing not only how to use technology in particular situations but also appreciating possibilities, risks and ethical challenges. Finally, I speculate on the connection between digital literacy and creative imagination in educational design.

About the speaker

Professor Tim Fawns
Tim Fawns is Associate Professor at the Monash Education Academy, Monash University, Australia. Tim’s research interests are at the intersection between digital, clinical and higher education, with a particular focus on the relationship between technology and educational practice. He has recently published a book titled Online Postgraduate Education in a Postdigital World: Beyond Technology.

For information, please contact:
Mr. William Yieu, CETL
Phone: 3917 8192; Email: wyieu@hku.hk