Abstract

• A seminar-based course: The compulsory GE core-text course “In Dialogue with Nature” (UGFN1000) is an intellectual expedition in the natural world. Students reflect on humans’ knowledge about nature and their relationship with it, and discuss and write on a wide spectrum of topics from the timeless, idealistic and conceptual ones to those which are timely, realistic and tangible.
• General education and real life: Since the full launch of the course in 2012-13, more emphasis has been put on the timeless, idealistic and conceptual topics such as science vs. religion, beauty of science, and mathematization of science. However, general education is not just about abstract and perennial issues but also responds to real life. We thus find it necessary to extend selected course content to the timely, realistic and tangible regime.
• A better world: To enrich students’ learning experience in such a globalized world whose sustainability is well thought of, this project aims to implement a list of learning activities, which are not about idealistic and conceptual topics but those which are closely related to experience, and, whenever possible, connected with the Sustainable Development Goals, to arouse students’ awareness of the need to build a better world.
• International collaboration between students: CUHK students, who come from different places and cultures, will enhance the discussions by bringing in multifarious perspectives. Moreover, opportunities to do collaborative work with students from another part of the world will help CUHK students broaden their horizon and develop teamwork skills in an international context.
• An international student “summit”: The aforementioned student collaboration will culminate in a student symposium where students from CUHK and the National University of Singapore (NUS) will present their work and exchange ideas. A keynote speaker (Prof. Frederick Rowe Davis, Purdue University) who will offer a workshop during the course will be invited to give feedback on students’ works.

Brief write-up

Project objectives

The project aimed to provide opportunities for students of “In Dialogue with Nature” (i) to think internationally (responding to issues and questions derived from Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)), and (ii) to learn internationally (doing joint projects with students from Singapore).

Activities, process and outcomes

Teaching and learning activities included an online workshop on biodiversity, 25 semester-long joint projects for 75 students from Hong Kong and Singapore, and an online student symposium. Academic activities included 4 conference presentations.

Deliverables and evaluation

In terms of teaching materials, two micro-modules and a set of project topics with guidelines have been produced. In terms of dissemination of practice and experience gained, four presentations have been given. In terms of publication, one conference proceeding has been published and one journal article is in press. Evaluation was mainly done by assessment of students’ work.

Dissemination, diffusion, impact and sharing of good practices

Dissemination of the project information and outcomes took place in four presentations. Three were invited talks delivered at Eurasia University (Xi’an, online), Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (online) and CUHK (onsite). The fourth was an online oral presentation for Teaching and Learning Innovation Expo, CUHK. Moreover, a conference proceeding has been published and a journal article is in press.

Impact on teaching and learning

In the joint projects, students, who were in their first two years of study, could read academic papers when guidelines were provided. They also demonstrated competence in global engagement. Teachers could see new opportunities in virtual teaching that students from different places can enjoy virtual but real-time exchanges via video-conferencing software. Teachers have also found that sufficient instructions can encourage and help year-1 and -2 students to read rigorous academic papers.

Video Report

Please click the following link for viewing the report.
https://cuhk.ap.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=70844941-c448-44ee-9b47-b123009d89b7