Abstract
This proposal centres upon devising an innovative online platform that enriches the conceptual frames of CUHK’s IaH (Internationalization at Home) and IoC (Internationalization of Curriculum). In consequence, the project is designed to: enhance internationalized knowledge, skill and cognizance manufacture beyond the current domestic institutional scaffold; expose learners to new forms of experiential, active e-learning; with a WUN partner/CUHK International Partnership Development Programme associate*; and, extend online pedagogy so that learners will, on one hand, deepen comprehension of intercultural relationships and interactions across the globe in urban historical contexts and, on the other hand, have new opportunities to nurture lifelong learning for their own future global competitiveness.
In seeking to directly align the proposed project with the PI’s existing courses (and a new course to be given from 2021-22), yet having relevance too to History capstone courses HIST4801 and 4802 as well as elements of the Geography, Architecture, and Urban Studies syllabi, the e-platform will supply students with original content and activities so that outcome-based blended learning at CUHK is broadened. Moreover, by participating in active-centred education, students will obtain first-hand experience of divergent methodologies, and intellectual and cultural standpoints (presented by scholars in Hong Kong and Australia) so that, ultimately, the purpose, diversity, delivery, and meaning of their schooling can be enlarged, plus, their grasp – understanding, attitude, value – of global citizenship increased.
* The project will be undertaken with Prof. Christopher Vernon, Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Education at the University of Western Australia (UWA). It will fortify the PI’s successful application in 2018-19 to CUHK’s International Partnership Development Programme and proposed visit, in April 2021, to the UWA campus.
Brief write-up
Project objectives
The project was formed so as to aid students’ off and on campus cultural learning opportunity, to bolster CUHK History Department’s ongoing ventures to integrate various teaching and learning approaches into its UG curriculum in the form of Urban History pedagogy, to consolidate the said Department’s attempts to promote internationalization, and, to adjoin History instruction to other academic fields via promoting factual and critical thinking standpoints.
Activities, process and outcomes
The project, inspired by student feedback about online learning and centring upon a web platform and exam preparation exercises, encourages learners to have new cognizance and enlarged skills so as to form new meanings re colonial urban environments in Asia. In informing students of cities and topics formerly outside the confines of the History UG curriculum, thus, learners use visual sources to critically recognize the factors behind the creation and shaping of Asian colonial cityscapes.
Deliverables and evaluation
The project has produced a web platform that directly relates to course lectures and the take home exam in order to provide for in and out of class hour learning development (facts and skills).
Dissemination, diffusion, impact and sharing of good practices
The PI is happy to participate in the Centre for Learning Enhancement And Research (CLEAR)-organised events if asked, and is presently searching for an international conference at which to present the project’s activities, processes, and pedagogies. Should the next CUHK eLearning Expo be of a relevant theme to the IoC (Internationalization of Curriculum) project then an abstract for presentation will be submitted.
Impact on teaching and learning
From the standpoint of pedagogy, the online platform has bolstered the means by which the urban past can be learnt. It has helped establish new learning curiosity, new ways to engage with Urban History (as an academic field), and augments knowledge taught within the general framework of the History UG curriculum. With its active learning focus, the project gives direct engagement with themes presented by the teacher. Against this backdrop, ultimately, the project aids students to develop more than basic attention as to what urban culture is, what it means to different people, and the impacts of cultural interaction in an urban situation. From this they have new opportunity to re-evaluate cultural diversity and reason so why Hong Kong is so culturally and environmentally distinct.
