Transcript Challenges - University of Hong Kong

U21 Program in Global Issues





Auckland
British Columbia
Hong Kong
Melbourne
Nottingham
Goals
…interdisciplinary and highly
interactive fully online courses that
hope to “equip graduates with
knowledge and competencies which
will enable them to work and
participate as global citizens”
Curriculum

Courses on issues of global relevance,
such as:
•
•
•
•
•
•


Poverty
Peace and security
World health issues
International trade
Sustainability and the environment
Human rights and international law
Some online, some F2F
Collaborative constructivist learning
Curriculum
Students have to take at least
50% of their courses at another
institution
 Usually online, but could be on
exchange
 Internationalization agendas and
e-mobility
 One compulsory introductory
course

UBC Course Home Page
Course menu gives access to
content and communication
tools
Student Diversity by Area of Study
Diversity by ethnicity and religion


Ethnic mix: first- or secondgeneration immigrants from
Egypt, China, Singapore, the
Philippines, the United States of
America, South Africa, Iran,
Korea, Poland, Thailand, East
Asian, European…
Diverse religious affiliations,
including Catholic or Protestant
Christianity, Islam, Sikhism,
Baha’i and Judaism…
Weekly Content Modules
Content Module
Front Page
Weekly Reading
Audio Lecture
Discussion Questions
Module Content
Video Presentations
Discussion Forums
Inside a Topic Forum
Course and program evaluation

Variety of stakeholders
•
•
•
•

Variety of issues
•
•
•
•

Students
Faculty staff
Administrators
Senior Managers
Courses and Program
Administration
Curriculum, pedagogy/delivery, assessment
Finance and sustainability
Use of developing instruments for on-line
program evaluation
Student Feedback
“I'm still loving the fact that I share a virtual
classroom with such a mix of students from all over
the world. Other strengths include: engaging, upto-date information and links, prompt and detailed
feedback, interesting subject topics, great
interactive discussions & exposure to others' ideas.
Being part of a group of students committed to
learning, global citizenship & social justice was
also really exciting. The teaching was also
outstanding - the obvious passion for the teaching
material was contagious!”
Student Feedback
“I thought that there was a risk with
an online subject that people wouldn't
give it much effort or thought because
you can hide behind a computer
screen, but in reality the involvement
level is probably better than in most of
the 'real' classes I have been in.”
Student feedback
“I absolutely love hearing from
people all around the world it is just great to have people
chatting from Hong Kong,
Canada, Australia... Have
really enjoyed being able to
learn about different
countries and how the issues
affect different regions
differently.”
Student feedback
“The programme is a great, innovative one. I have
never imagined that an educational programme can
be co-organized by five universities together. I think it
is a great start and action for universities to become
“global”. I understand that the programme cannot be
managed easily, but it helps students to get more
exposure and it provides motivation for students to
self-learn and think critically. I sincerely hope that
the programme can carry on for the coming years. “
Student feedback
“Lastly, I wonder if it would be possible to arrange a
summer exchange part (for e.g. visit, conferences with
lectures) among these institutions for participating
students (for e.g. for students who have completed the
course meeting certain standards) and instructors. I
understand that organizing such section will be very
sophisticated. However, since it is not a common practice
for five well-known universities to cooperate together
to organize a meaningful and
educational programme, it will be
good to extend interaction beyond
the internet. “
Student evaluations
Course
Student evaluation
Normal:
6.43
5.65
Overall satisfaction
levels
4.1
3.0
Recommend to other
4.2
Rewarding and
challenging learning
experience
4.3
Program
Student evaluations
Generally lower ratings (3.0+) for
technical and administrative support.
No responses lower than 3.0.
 Moderately low scores (3.1+) for the
ways in which collaboration between
students is enhanced!
 High scores for course materials,
feedback from professors.

Competency development

Scores at or above 4.0 for the development
of a number of competencies:
• ability to plan own work
• development of relevant ethical, social and
professional perspectives
• analyse, synthesize and evaluate
• foster my personal and intellectual independence
• improved my skills in written communication
Impact outside
U21
Stanford/Oxford Marshall Scholar study
Students enrolled on this course are
more global citizens:
 More emails sent outside Hong Kong
 Seek more information about world
and local politics
 Feel that the internet has influenced
their understanding of foreign
cultures

Summary: benefits of program
All the advantages of online learning
 “Big societal issues”
 International intellectual collaboration
 Opportunity to evaluate online
learning
 Further development of capacity for
technology enhanced learning

Summary



Evidence for good educational value,
despite diversity of structure and diversity
of motivation
Requires better support structures and
facilities; administration and coordinator
Funding and sustainability:
•
•
•
•
Additional universities
External students
Fee paying students
Added value for U21 university recruitment