What are these attributes and how should we nurture them?
| At the Institute, our vision is to prepare a new generation of teachers with a well-rounded knowledge base, acquired through multi-subject disciplines, international perspectives, as well as excellent communication and problem solving skills. Fostering these exceptional qualities among our young people calls for a learning experience which goes beyond the traditionally perceived school and classroom context. To this end, our “Education Plus” concept encompasses a learning process that will foster these important qualities in Hong Kong’s future teachers. |
|
Under “Education Plus”, our students will be offered a total-learning experience, through both formal and non-formal education, with the former being provided by both diverse subject specialisations and cross-subject disciplines. In this brief overview, we are focusing on the latter, providing a quick look at our non-formal education initiatives.
At the Institute, non-formal education has been built in as an integral part of the curriculum, enabling students to acquire an alternative source of knowledge, through co-curricular activities, conducted locally, on the Mainland and around the world.
Locally in Hong Kong and starting with our activities on campus, students are encouraged to actively participate in community services and hall life. These activities help them to develop a spirit of service, empathy, people and communication skills, self-organisation, self-management as well as independence. Anyone, who is keen to participate in Institute affairs, can get involved in running departmental associations, student societies and even the Student’ Union, helping to hone their decision making, leadership and organisational skills.
Broadening overall exposure for our students, we provide ample opportunities for their participation in local and overseas Work Internship Programmes, exchange programmes, training courses, conferences, as well as Service Attachment Projects and Study Tours. Just this summer alone, a number of our students acted as volunteers in the Equestrian Olympics in Hong Kong, while many others visited the Mainland, Italy, Japan, the US, Vietnam and Australia on HKIEd initiatives.
Among our many different co-curricular activities, the Study Tour Organiser Award Scheme is an outstanding example of how awards can motivate students and stretch their imagination and initiative. Working on an independent basis, 16 teams of 65 students were involved in planning, preparing and presenting proposals for a study tour abroad. After going through an extremely stringent assessment process, three tours to Australia, Osaka in Japan, and Italy were ultimately selected.
In view of our concerted efforts, we are confident that the Institute is grooming a new generation of teachers, who will in turn help to nurture our children, equipping them with the necessary qualities to meet the constantly changing global requirements of the knowledge era in the 21st century.
|
