Abstract
Rationale
This is a project that transcends good teaching and learning practices beyond traditional and restrictive in-class settings via Zoom and other online platforms to reach out to students at all levels, and to contribute to their continual learning, developing and mastering of the English language and reflective learning on this campus. It aims to create a student-centered, collaborative online learning environment through a series of eLearning tasks and materials in two alternative communication-intensive ELTU (English Language Teaching Unit) courses, Intercultural Communication through English and English through Performing Arts.
Approach
This project involves creating Digital Human Libraries, which provide a series of student-generated and student-community collaborative multimodal texts through:
1. Converting students’ written narrative and reflection into videos for theme-based learning materials as digital human books;
2. Utilizing the pre-recorded, student-generated videos to facilitate real-time discussions on Zoom and/or other online platforms;
3. Holding live, interactive workshops to encourage interaction between students and invited speakers on Zoom; and
4. Reviewing systematically the learning tasks and materials in the two courses mentioned.
Outcomes
1. To have eLearning materials/practices that facilitate language learning and reflection, cultivation of intercultural sensitivity and collaborative online learning in Intercultural Communication through English;
2. To have eLearning materials/practices that facilitate the mastering of the English language through reflective speech and/or writing and informative speech and/or writing in English through Performing Arts;
3. To have concrete suggestions for the implementation of similar initiatives provided for blended learning in ELTU courses.
Brief write-up
Project objectives
This is a project that transcends good teaching and learning practices beyond traditional and restrictive in-class settings via Zoom and other online platforms to reach out to students at all levels, and to contribute to their continual learning, developing and mastering of the English language and reflective learning on this campus. It aims to create a student-centered, collaborative online learning environment through a series of eLearning tasks and materials in two alternative communication-intensive English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) courses, Intercultural Communication through English and English through Performing Arts.
Activities, process and outcomes
Interactive based activities, namely, The Human Library, were conducted to provide students with the opportunities to interact with students from different regions. Digital narratives were created as teaching materials.
Deliverables and evaluation
All the data collected after the course (e.g., post-course questionnaires, semi-structured interviews) were analyzed. The results pointed to meaningful growth in language enhancement and intercultural competence. Perceptions of the project were positive.
Dissemination, diffusion, impact and sharing of good practices
A course website (
https://eltu.cuhk.edu.hk/files/DHL/) has been created for the two courses, in which students of the courses can assess the materials.
Details about this project and the findings of the activities were disseminated at local and international events.
Impact on teaching and learning
Experiential learning is crucial to promote meaningful gains in language enhancement, intercultural competence. Meaningful intercultural exchanges can be provided for local and international CUHK students to promote internationalization at home.
The short video:
https://gocuhk-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/g/personal/cherrychan_cuhk_edu_hk/EemWormUy3xGjP9M2_zwvoEBIQbh6O8IswhTLM95FA8Ivw?e=9yKC7b
