ECE Assistant Professor Dr. Annie Li Yixun collaborated with Bridgewater State University Professor Mrs. Melissa Russell to bring their students together for a virtual exchange. In this unique collaboration, Dr. Li's students attended an online lesson on STEM education taught by Mrs. Russell. Mrs. Russell is an expert in STEM curriculum and pedagogy and the Founding Director of the Hundred Acre School at Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich.
Prior to the lesson, lecturers and students first introduced themselves briefly using the application Voice Thread, breaking the ice and creating a sense of anticipation. And for the lesson, Mrs. Russell had interspersed break-out discussion groups throughout the two-hour class. And she had put students into mixed groups, designing the discussion questions to elicit thoughts and experiences about STEM education based on students' local knowledge and context.
The result of this lesson structure and the participation of students from different nationalities and backgrounds was a positive, multicultural, global learning experience for all students. An EdUHK student said, "I am very satisfied, and I have learned a lot of new things and met new people through this activity." Students from BSU shared, "I truly enjoyed the virtual exchange. It was interesting to see how lessons are taught differently and similarly in the US and Mainland China. It gave me new perspectives and insights."
Dr. Li, who specializes in language and literacy in our Department, was also delighted with the outcome of the collaboration. She said, "The event went extremely well, and the students enjoyed the experience. I hope that we may have future collaborations."
The team wishes to thank ECE Lecturer Mr. Edward Lai Nok Hang for his kind assistance.
Written by Sofie Chua (schua@eduhk.hk), COIL Facilitator