Message from the Director of CETL – Dr. Susan Bridges
Dear colleagues,
Welcome to this 15th issue of Teaching and Learning Connections! This issue’s chosen theme focuses on ‘Learning and growing together in a community of practice’ and provides a timely reminder that we, as educators, share a commitment to continued support for one another with the shared goal of providing the best learning opportunities for our students.
In our extended period of virtual teaching and learning, colleagues across all programmes have been expanding their teaching repertoires by experimenting with online, blended and hybrid learning scenarios. We have tried out new platforms and e-learning tools, reflected, adjusted, and learned together. We know that many colleagues and students are excited to be returning to our physical campus in the coming semester and we look forward to seeing a new and enriched learning environment as colleagues incorporate new practices and insights gained in the past one and a half years. To support dissemination and forward planning, CETL’s on-going virtual Summer Sandbox (https://www.cetl.hku.hk/sandbox2021ss/) continues to offer assistance on course redesigning and the transition to returning to face-to-face learning.
In the current issue of Teaching and Learning Connections, we have collected five articles that all highlight the potential for learning and growing together in communities of practice. These include endeavours to develop innovative teaching or revamping curricula, while others emphasise a collective effort among teachers, researchers, and students to tackle learning challenges while contributing to society.
On a closing note, the Editor of Teaching and Learning Connections, Dr. Tracy Zou, is departing HKU and CETL. I know that the T&L community at HKU will join me in thanking Tracy for her enthusiasm and dedication as editor for the past 15 issues. At the same time, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Dr. Ronnel King who joined CETL this summer and will be taking up editorship. Feel free to send ideas and contributions to Ronnel at rking@hku.hk!
Do enjoy Issue No. 15 of Teaching and Learning Connections and stay connected with our T&L community!
Best wishes
Susan