Programme:
Certificate in Professional Development Programme on e-Learning in Primary English, 2015

School Name / Current Job Title:
Vice Principal in Sham Tseng Catholic Primary School

Fung Long Daniel

The programme allows us to explore the world of e-learning. In the ever-changing teaching and learning environment, teachers face different challenges. Not only do they have to cope with a wide learning diversity, they also have to keep themselves updated with new pedagogies.

Back in the days, learners had to learn in a teacher-centered classroom where the blackboard is in front of everyone with very limited teacher-student interaction and student talking time.

Yet, being up-to-date isn’t about adopting as much e-learning elements as possible. It is about choosing the right thing to do at the right time.

In the programme, teaching practitioners were given opportunities to think in context and decide what e-learning materials are best for different topics. Through collaboration, we even had the chance to draft a proposal applying for Quality Education Fund (QEF). It was a very authentic experience. It equipped us with the growth mindset and helped us bring changes to our practicing schools.

The world of e-learning is like a trackless sea. It is up to us, the captain of the ship, to screen what’s best for our learners and take the appropriate e-learning elements on board. It is also of paramount importance to motivate our fellow sailors.

Programme:
Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Secondary) - Information and Communication Technology, August 2021 (Distinction, Dean's Honour List 2019-20 and 2020-21)

School Name / Current Job Title:
HK University of Science and Technology, Senior Lecturer (Data Science)

Ng Hing Ngok Krates

a) How the programme helps to equip me for future challenges
- There had been lots of challenges in my PGDE studies: Many of my courses in the final year were conducted virtually using Zoom, everybody, including the teachers at EdUHK, had to adjust to this mode of teaching instantly. The amount of pressure we all faced as both a PT student and a FT teacher was very intense. Fortunately, everybody in the programme was very accommodating and supportive, and eventually we all became better teachers.

b) significant experience at EdUHK
- I can say the programme had a good balance of theories and practice. I can use the practical knowledge in my FT teaching job, and use the theories to dive deep into a specific topic in my research.

c) opportunities and challenges in EdUHK / work
- There were plenty of opportunities for us to use the latest digital tools in the programme, for example, numerous virtual presentations in different courses, blended teaching in the Field Experience... etc. these experiences were really helpful to me. - To add further challenges to my personal life, I changed my job from a leadership role in an international school to a teaching position in a tertiary institution during my PGDE studies. Nevertheless, all the things I learned in the programme can also apply to my current capacity to teach new courses in data science using a blended learning approach.

d) advice to current students
- Be proactive: there are plenty of opportunities for you to learn to be a better teacher in the programme, besides the prescribed courses, EdUHK regularly invites many experienced teachers and school principals to share their experiences with PGDE students. During my studies, STEM, AI, online teaching...etc. were the hottest topics (and still are) and those tested experiences were the quickest way for us to learn from the best. I suggest current PGDE students join those sharing sessions as many as they can and ask questions proactively. Do leverage EdUHK's excellent networks of different schools as you cannot easily get advice from so many expert practitioners in the field yourself. In addition, be proactively to connect with your classmates, their experience is also a wonderful source of skills and knowledge.

Liu Wei

Programme:
Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Secondary) - Mathematics, 2019

School Name / Current Job Title:
Mathematics Teacher at Tiancheng Middle School Affiliated to Guangzhou Tieyi Middle School

The experience of studying at EdUHK has benefited me a lot. In the process of studying in the educational university, The teachers’ words and deeds made me understand the true meaning of "Great learning makes a teacher, Moral integrity makes a model.", which is the benchmark for my continuous efforts and pursuit in my future work. The most precious experience of this programme was teaching practice. I came to the local middle school as an intern teacher for two classes, and applied theoretical knowledge to practice, which is an important bridge for me to change my identity from student to teacher. Due to the COVID-19, we have conducted a period of online teaching. This experience is not only a severe challenge, but also gives us the opportunity to learn online teaching. The teachers used their professional knowledge to demonstrate how to effectively conduct online teaching. They also laid a solid foundation for our second semester online internships, and also exercised the important abilities that I need to master in future work. I also hope that current students can cherish the moment, because the learning experience here will be your lifetime wealth.

Luo Shi Cheng

Programme:
Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Primary) - Mathematics, 2018-2019

School Name / Current Job Title:
APSM teacher at HHCKLA Buddhist Wisdom Primary School

The one-year course is very plentiful. In addition to letting me learn the necessary qualities of the teacher in class, there are also various drill opportunities before the internship. The college has a good relationship with the internship school, which provides students good opportunities, so that I can equip myself as a student to enter the classroom. During the internship, the instructor also gave full advice to help me make progress in teaching. In addition, the department also provides different kinds of help to graduates, such as resume writing, interview skills and mock interviews, which are of great help to graduates in finding jobs. The pedagogy and educational psychology that I learned at the PGDE programme are often used in my current teaching so that I can better help students develop in all aspects.

If you are currently a student of PGDE(P)(MA) program, please cherish every opportunity of tutor guidance, and consult your tutors about the problems you will encounter in the future. When you are looking for a job, ask more about the opinions of your tutors and participate in various workshops provided by the PGDE programme. I hope that every aspiring prospective teacher can find a suitable job.

Cheung Kai Lam

Programme:
Certificate in Professional Development Programme on e-Learning in Secondary English, 2020

School Name / Current Job Title:
Henrietta Secondary School, English Panel Chairman

Due to the pandemic, many schools were forced to shut down and learning took place mainly on the Internet. It was really difficult for both teachers and students to adapt to the new learning mode. However, flipped learning, together with the use of some e-learning apps, helped boost students’ learning interest and make the online lessons more interactive and efficient.

After attending the course, I tried out methods in order to flip my lessons. Take grammar lessons as an example, I tailor-made some grammar videos and designed short quizzes using Google Form. Before the lessons, I required students to watch the videos and complete the quizzes. Then, I could have a better understanding of my students’ weaknesses. During the lessons, I could clearly explain the mistakes made by students. After that, students could play some grammar games using Kahoot or Quizizz. Finally, I consolidate what they learnt and game their homework. I tried this method many times and I found that students highly participated in the lessons and their performance improved significantly.

Wong Yin Hang Hugo

Programme:
Bachelor of Education (Honours) (Secondary) - Information and Communication Technology,
2020 Graduate

Tsui Hok Sing Stanley

Programme:
Bachelor of Education (Honours) (Secondary) - Information and Communication Technology,
2020 Graduate

Choi Shu Kin

Programme:
Bachelor of Education (Honours) (Secondary) in Mathematics,
2020 Graduate

I have been graduated from Bachelor of Education (Honors) (Secondary) in Mathematics since 2020. I have been a high school Mathematics teacher for a year. The hardest thing of being a teacher is handling some sudden challenges like classroom management, students’ behavior issue. It has to be coping with experiences and learn from experienced teacher. It is not simple, especially for new teacher. However, what a new teacher can be prepared to be a good teacher?

To be a teacher, one of our duties is teaching, obviously. After graduation, I am confident to provide correct Mathematics concepts and knowledge to student. The program has helped us develop the required knowledge gradually form fundamental to advise. There are two block practices for us to apply learned theories from courses, practice teaching skills and gain experiences, which are precious opportunities to get a taste of being a teacher. Moreover, the university provide ES courses which are vitally curial to be a teacher. As a teacher, we not only focus on subject knowledge, but also students’ personal development. We emphasis student problem-solving skills, social skills, extra-curriculum activities, etc. We have to help them to be a better person and prepared for getting in the society. Those ES courses provide knowledges and theories to help us understand how to do so.

You, as a student-teacher, may have more leisure time to get certificate and try something new. Packaging yourself to become a teacher that can help students in both academic and their personal growth.

Principal Ms. CHUNG Po-loi

Interview Video

Mr. Kwan Man Lung, Ken