Essence of an International Conference in Seattle

Venue: RRS905

Sir Run Run Shaw Building, Ho Sin Hang Campus, HKBU

Abstract

Some people may think that teaching an interdisciplinary course with a colleague will be difficult because they cannot include all of the disciplinary concepts they usually do in a course, and also because of the need for close collaboration. In this workshop, we will discuss how to find teaching partners, how to work harmoniously on developing a course, and how to structure the course. We will discuss some common areas that can cause disagreement and some ways of coming to agreement. Learning more about your own preferences for organizing a course and which areas can be open for compromise will be a central goal.

Speakers Biography

Professor Susan Fiksdal
Visiting Fulbright Scholar
Hong Kong Baptist University

Linguist
Former Head
The Culture, Text and Language section
Evergreen State College

Professor Susan Fiksdal, Fulbright Scholar at HKBU for the 2011-12 academic year, joined HKBU from the Evergreen State College, an innovative liberal arts institution in Washington state. As a linguist from Middlebury College with PhD from University of Michigan, she has been the head of the Culture, Text and Language section of the curriculum at Evergreen. Author of 10 publications and numerous papers on text, language and life-long learning topics, Professor Fiksdal is now working with the GE Office, CHTL as well as coordinating with a team of scholars through the Hong Kong America Center providing support on the General Education programs for Hong Kong’s tertiary institutions as part of the 3-3-4 Educational Reform Initiatives. In the coming academic year, Professor Fiksdal will provide support on the General Education Programme as well as the faculty development by hosting various workshops and seminars.

(Click for the full text)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
- Published in the South China Morning Post on 20th April 2012 -

Venue: WLB 104

The Wing Lung Bank Building for Business Studies, Shaw Campus

Abstract

Studies show that students learn more effectively through active teaching and learning than through lectures. In this workshop we will focus on how to create an environment in the classroom that encourages students to take an active role in discussions. After an explanation of some strategies, participants will focus on their own classes and the goals they have for discussion.  Structuring discussions to achieve your particular goals can help students learn critical thinking skills as well as become more creative in their thinking. We will also look at some of the reasons why students may not participate in group activities and some strategies that work well to engage them.

This workshop is for faculty who have never tried group work as well as for those who have. We will begin with your experience and you will engage in some types of group work during the workshop.

Speakers Biography

Professor Susan Fiksdal
Visiting Fulbright Scholar
Hong Kong Baptist University

Linguist
Former Head
The Culture, Text and Language section
Evergreen State College

Professor Susan Fiksdal, Fulbright Scholar at HKBU for the 2011-12 academic year, joined HKBU from the Evergreen State College, an innovative liberal arts institution in Washington state. As a linguist from Middlebury College with PhD from University of Michigan, she has been the head of the Culture, Text and Language section of the curriculum at Evergreen. Author of 10 publications and numerous papers on text, language and life-long learning topics, Professor Fiksdal is now working with the GE Office, CHTL as well as coordinating with a team of scholars through the Hong Kong America Center providing support on the General Education programs for Hong Kong’s tertiary institutions as part of the 3-3-4 Educational Reform Initiatives. In the coming academic year, Professor Fiksdal will provide support on the General Education Programme as well as the faculty development by hosting various workshops and seminars.

“Steve Jobs said: “It’s in Apple’s DNA that technology alone is not enough — it’s technology married with liberal arts, married with the humanities, that yields us the result that makes our heart sing, and nowhere is that more true than in these post-PC devices”.”

So who is right?

Let’s read Vivek Wadhwa’s comment, who is currently a visiting scholar at UC Berkeley, on the Berkeley Blog.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

From the Berkeley Blog of UC Berkeley, 22 Mar 2011.
Original Post URL: http://blogs.berkeley.edu/2011/03/22/engineering-vs-liberal-arts-who%E2%80%99s-right-%E2%80%94-bill-or-steve/

Conference Announcement

City University of Hong Kong (CityU) and the Hong Kong America Center (HKAC) are pleased to announce an international conference on General Education. The conference will be held on June 12-14, 2012 at the City University of Hong Kong.

In September 2012, Hong Kong’s public universities will launch a four-year undergraduate curriculum to replace the existing three-year curriculum. This follows a significant reform featuring liberal studies in HK’s schools. A significant proportion of the new curriculum will be devoted to General Education. This conference will bring together academic leaders, innovative teachers, and advocates for reform and quality improvement in higher education in Asia, North America and Europe to discuss university curriculum reform and the enhancement of undergraduate education. The conference will share the Hong Kong experience in General Education curriculum reform and consider wider patterns of application. The first day will focus primarily on Hong Kong and the lessons learned. The focus of the second and third days will broaden to the Asian and international contexts.

Conference Themes

Venue: ACC209

Abstract

Speaker Biography

Prof. Janel Curry has a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Minnesota. She has served as Dean for Research and Scholarship for nine years at Calvin College and is presently Professor of Geography at Calvin College and holds the Byker Chair in Perspectives on Political, Social, and Economic Thought. She served as a GE Fulbright scholar in Hong Kong in 2010 at CityU and is back for another term as part of the Fulbright GE team.

Prof. Martha Carothers
Visiting Fulbright Scholar
City University of Hong Kong 

Prof. Richard S. Mack
Visiting Fulbright Scholar
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Emeritus Professor in Economics
Central Washington University

Professor Richard Mack, Fulbright Scholar at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University for the 2011-12 academic year, was Dean of Graduate Studies and Research and taught at CWU’s Department of economics for 36 years, including over 100 courses in GE. He has also taught in CWU’s Environmental Studies, Resource Management, and Douglas Honors College programs, as well as visiting gigs at Janus Panonius University in Hungary, Dublin City University, Ireland, and in several London programs. Prof. Mack has undergone a number of rebirths in the economics field. Trained at Dartmouth College and Colorado State University as in International Economics and Regional Economics, many of his publications are in journals specializing in Regional Development, Energy Economics, Resource Use, Public Utilities, History of Thought, as well as the economies of Ireland, the EU, and China.

The diplomats in Hong Kong have served recently in Kabul for their governments.  They are Mr. Werner Lauk, Consul General of Germany, Mr. Martin Murphy, Consul (Economic-Political) of the U.S., and Mr. Russell Abel, Vice Consul (Political & Economic) of the United Kingdom.

As an Afghan, Prof. Reza Hoshmand, Director of General Education at HKBU, will open the panel by giving some historical context to the current events. Dr Glenn Shive, Director of the HKAC, will moderate the panel. Date:
23 Feb 2012 (Thursday)
 

Time:
1:00pm – 2:30pm

Venue:
RRS905,
Sir Run Run Shaw Building,
Ho Sin Hang Campus, HKBU

For enquiries, please contact Miss Mei Chan at ge@hkbu.edu.hk or 3411 2014. ]]> http://www.hkbu.edu.hk/ge/news/2012/whats-next-for-afghanistan/feed/ 0 http://www.hkbu.edu.hk/ge/news/2012/ge-dialogue-techniques-to-increase-student-motivation-for-instruction-and-learning/ http://www.hkbu.edu.hk/ge/news/2012/ge-dialogue-techniques-to-increase-student-motivation-for-instruction-and-learning/#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:12:42 +0000 mei http://www.hkbu.edu.hk/ge/?p=5106 17 Feb 2012 (Friday)
12:30 pm – 2:15 pm
(light lunch from 12:30-12:45pm)

Venue: WLB109

The Wing Lung Bank Building for Business Studies, Shaw Campus

Abstract

Motivation is critical to preparing students for instructional activities and learning in the classroom. If students are not motivated to learn they will not pay attention and often show a lack of participation in classroom activities. This workshop will present three theories of motivation that can be easily applied in any level of classroom teaching. Numerous group activities will guide instructors through how to incorporate motivation into their daily lesson plans so they can easily increase student motivation to learn.

Speaker Biography

Prof. Brenda Litchfield
Visiting Fulbright Scholar
The University of Macau

Professor
Instructional Design and Development
The University of South Alabama

Prof. Brenda C. Litchfield, PhD, is Professor of the Instructional Design and Development at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama, USA. She is currently a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Macau where she teaches a graduate educational psychology course and works with the Centre for Teaching and Learning Enhancement. She graduated from Florida State University with a PhD in Instructional Systems. She is active in environmental education and has directed the development of several activity projects for the Environmental Protection Agency, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and state environmental organizations. She was instrumental in establishing the faculty development program at her university and continues to conduct seminars and training sessions for university and public school teachers. Her areas of interest and research are teacher training, motivation, and environmental education.

Over 230 principals and teachers from 140 secondary schools took part in the HKBU Secondary School Principals’ Day 2012 organised by the Academic Registry on 11th January 2012. With the theme of “Partnering for Excellence: Bridging Learning Experience from Senior Secondary to University”, the event sought to enhance  communications between the University and secondary schools in order to achieve a better partnership for implementing the new academic structure.

Our Director of General Education, Prof Reza Hoshmand gave a speech during the morning plenary session and held a parallel session on the afternoon with topic “GE Shaping First Year Experience”.

Let’s read how it is reported on eNews or visit the event website for photos, presentation slides and videos!