Abstract
In order to support our CUHK postgraduates in their pursuit and application of knowledge in their specialized fields (Graduate Attributes for Research Postgraduate Programme, CUHK), the Graduate School and the Centre for Learning Enhancement And Research have been offering a wide range of workshops through the Improving Postgraduate Learning (IPL) series. Despite its extensive coverage, an area which has been receiving relatively less attention but is fundamental to postgraduate success across disciplines is the ability to think and evaluate critically while reading primary literature and scholarly work (Anuar & Sidhu, 2017). Coupled with our observation of the increasing pressure to publish before graduation, the proposed ARCTAPS project intends to complement the current IPL series by developing two online learning series in (1) Active Reading and (2) Critical Thinking respectively, and providing our postgraduates with the opportunities to turn their drafts/ manuscripts into (3) Academic Publications by working intensively with writing experts in a writing camp. With the above, we hope we can further equip our postgraduates with two most sought-after skills in the increasingly knowledge-based world in the twenty-first century, namely the high-level analytical thinking and sophisticated communication skills (Chu et al, 2017).
This ARCTAPS project is jointly proposed by the Independent Learning Centre (ILC), which possesses expertise in developing and maintaining online learning modules, and the CUHK Library, which has a wealth of experience in addressing the changing needs among our postgraduates using multiple means (e.g. through collaborative workshops with the ILC, Research café, and Research Poster Exhibition). For details of these support services, please visit: https://www.lib.cuhk.edu.hk/en/research.
To address the needs of our RPGs, the ILC has been supporting the Research Café and offering collaborative workshops with the CUHK Library since 2015 (e.g. through our Thesis Writing Tips workshop series, Winning Academic Presentations workshop series and Publishing Your Research Series). Our workshops are always fully subscribed well before the registration deadlines. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive always. Up to the end of AY2018-2019, a total of 799 postgraduate students have attended our RPG collaborative workshops. Since the first Research Poster Exhibition organized by the CUHK Library in 2016, the ILC has been an active working partner. We have witnessed not only increasing number of entries from the RPGs, but also increasing number of quality posters and oral presentations in the past three years.
Two other PG exclusive workshops which are also worth mentioning are “Designing a Successful Oral Defence” (collaborated with the CUHK Library since 2017) and “Successful Writing in Life Sciences” (collaborated with the CUHK Library since 2018). Demand for the workshops was great; for example, in the first semester of 2019-20, we had to run the “Successful Writing in Life Sciences” twice in October. Apart from relying on the usual ILC and CUHK Library promotion channels (Mass Mailing, webpage, and posters), we also contacted the Graduate School Office, and the specific faculties/ departments directly for promotion (e.g. School of Life Sciences for the “Successful Writing in Life Sciences” workshop). These channels have proven effective.
Brief write-up
Project objectives
In order to support our CUHK postgraduates in their pursuit and application of knowledge in their specialized fields (Graduate Attributes for Research Postgraduate Programme, CUHK), the Graduate School Office and the Centre for Learning Enhancement and Research (CLEAR) have been offering a wide range of workshops through the Improving Postgraduate Learning (IPL) series. Despite its extensive coverage, an area which has been receiving relatively less attention but is fundamental to postgraduate success across disciplines is the ability to think and evaluate critically while reading primary literature and scholarly work (Anuar & Sidhu, 2017). Coupled with our observation of the increasing pressure to publish before graduation, the ARCTAPS project intends to complement the current IPL series by developing two online learning series in (1) Active Reading and (2) Critical Thinking respectively, and providing our postgraduates with the opportunities to turn their drafts/ manuscripts into (3) Academic Publications by working intensively with writing experts. It is hoped that we can further equip our postgraduates with two most sought-after skills in the increasingly knowledge-based world in the twenty-first century, namely the high-level analytical thinking and sophisticated communication skills (Chu et al, 2017).
Activities, process and outcomes
The following activities were carried out:
(a) Completion of the Active Reading series – a total of 6 online learning modules respectively on (1) Evaluate Your Acting Reading Skills; (2) What to Read?; (3) Advanced Academic English; (4) Identifying and Understanding; (5) Questioning and Evaluating; and (6) Taking Valuable Notes have been developed.
(b) Completion of the Critical Thinking series – a total of 5 modules respectively on (1) Introduction to Critical Thinking and Useful Metalanguage; (2) The Analyses and Formulation of Short Arguments; (3) The Analyses and Formulation of Extended Arguments; (4) How to Organise Your Paper Around an Argument; and (5) How to Detect Fallacies and Avoid Them have been developed.
(c) Student writing conferences with the intention of helping students to turn their manuscripts into publishable journal papers are being organized for students and writing experts. A total of 4 conferencing hours are being assigned for such purpose. Feedback will be collected from both students and writing experts.
Deliverables and evaluation
PG students of the collaborative workshops between the Independent Learning Centre (ILC) and the Library have been invited to try the
Active Learning series in April, and they have been encouraged to complete the survey at the end of each module. Link to the online learning series:
https://www.ilc.cuhk.edu.hk/workshop/ARCTAPS/AR/
The ARCTAPS project complements the
Improving Postgraduate Learning (IPL) series currently organized by the Graduate School Office and CLEAR in supporting CUHK postgraduates in their pursuit and application of knowledge in their specialized fields in communicating their research in writing to a wider academic audience through publishing their results and outputs.
Dissemination, diffusion, impact and sharing of good practices
A short video on the online learning series can be accessed via this link:
https://bit.ly/39dZ8Ff
The project shows the fruitful collaborative experience between the ILC and the university library as both are critical in support our PG students in their academic journey in the CUHK. Relevant resources – both print and online – from both units are appropriately included in the online series to provide students with convenience in easily accessing relevant tools when researching, reading, drafting and writing academic papers.
This project also represents a successful attempt in developing online learning support for PGs, which is very rare.
The team has plans to present our experience in international conferences in near future.
Impact on teaching and learning
Pilot study results are still being collected and collated at present (project end date has been extended to 30 June 2022.
