CELT Newsletter, Spring 2006

Abstract

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology CELT Newsletter Spring 2006 Center for Enhanced Learning and Teaching What the CU Award Winners have to Say 1-2 What the have to Say! Disciplinary Resources Three out of 31 sub-project have won the Outstanding CLI Sub-project Award. MY Info MY Way 4 The objective of this award is to recognize the contribution of sub-project Tech Camp 5 leaders as well as to raise the awareness of the CLI teaching innovations project within and outside Student Learning Support 6 the HKUST teaching community. Upcoming Events Highlights 6 Project title: All-round development of science students through project courses Award winner: Prof KYM Wong PHYS) Website: http://physics.ust.hR/genphys/ According to Prof Wong, one unique element of this project is that students had the chance to present to the general public; for example, secondary school students and as a result, they way. In the project, students had the opportunity to improve themselves in four ways: to investigate, integrate knowledge, collaborate and communicate with group members. For Prof Wong, this project is part of his continuous effort in improving teaching and helping students to have an all-rounded development. This project gives him a chance to reflect on the relevance of Physics, and what it means to the general public, and to people's daily lives. Source: video interview available at h~://celt..ust.Wcelhrideo/0805/Michael-Wong.asx Project title: Enhancing learning through online audio communication

Award winner: Prof David Rossiter (COMP) Website: http://www.cs.ust.hk/gong Prof Rossiter stressed that the components of this project are essentially a piece of software which can be used by teachers and students to record their voice and have it stored on the Internet. Teachers can play back the recordings and give feedback online while students can listen to the feedback The alliteration process can then begin whereby the process of learning is enhanced. He believes that the CLI project - 1 has been a very rewarding experience; and by providing clear and concise instructions, CELT has helped him deliver a good product.

Source: video interview available at http://celt. ust. hWi3eltvideo/0805/David~Rossiter0l.asx

Project title: The language of business cases Award winner: Ms Elsie Christopher (LANG) Website: http://lcms01.ust.hk/lbc/website/ In her course 'The Language of Business Cases', Ms Christopher integrated subject-specific language learning skills with higher level learning skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students were enabled to enhance both Problem-Based Learning and the Case Study Methodology. She expressed that the CLI project has been a very rewarding experience for her. Source: video interview available at http://celt.ust.hk~celtvideo/0805/EIsie_Chrbtophe~anc If you are interested to find out more about the projects, you may visit http://celt.ust.hWclil. spying 2005 2 Disciplinary Resources In this new site, you will find online resources including teaching materials, online publications, links to conferences, teaching tools and software for the Schools of Science, Engineering, Business and Management, Humanities and Social Science. Below are some examples for each School. Please visit our website for more information. We will be expanding this over time and would very much welcome your contribution to this. We encourage you to email us at c m t . M with any valuable online resources you come across and would like to share with your colleagues. School of Engineering Cornell University Engineering Library This site contains a Short List of Engineering Database which serves to get browsers started with their research in the various engineering disciplines. These recommended databases include Journal Articles, Conference Papers and Technical Reports for various engineering fields such as Applied and Engineering Physics, Automotive and Transportation Engineering. Civil and Environmental Engineering. For each of these fields, a list of recommended databases is provided

School of Science Case Study Teaching in Science The site is hosted by the National Center for Case Study Teaching in At the University at Buffalo, Features like case method Collection, Case ideas and case study Teachers contain Resources ranging from, articles videos resource directory Ready to use teaching notes for different cases covering many Disciplines including Biology Biochemistry Computer Science Food Science and Technology There are links to other case websites, related Sites and Journals You can also gain access to workshops and conferences via this site

School of Humanities and Social Science PORTAL PORTAL is the British Academy’s directory of online resources in the humanities and social sciences. It is designed as an entry point to available resources for those working in higher education and research

School of Business and Management BRASS Business Reference and services Section.: Best of the best business websites The Education Committee of BRASS aims at providing educational and development opportunities for librarians involved in providing business reference services Under subject Index you will find categories such Accounting and Taxation, Advertising and Marketing, Economics Electronic Commerce, Financial Markets and Investment MIS Knowledge Management Each category provides a listing of significant sites that are themselves content rich in nature

My Info My Way Saving Time in Staying Ahead of the Knowledge Explosion in Your Field Learnshop Nick Noakes (CELT) and Ed Spodick (Library) delivered a seminar on 25 November 2005 to show faculty how to save time in staying ahead of the r ' 7 ' knowledge explosion in their field by us bringing tailored information to their electronic desktops. According to the presenters, 'we are all too aware that in all fields knowledge is being created at an exponential rate in an expanding variety of formats. As a consequence, there are increasing demands on our attention and keeping current within our field is becoming an increasingly insurmountable challenge'. The speakers introduced the idea of 'My Info My Way' to overcome this challenge and demonstrated how to use RSS-related technologies to receive information that fits one's own working style. During the seminar, participants shared their current approaches to gathering information in order to keep up-to-date with their field and learned new time-saving methods and tools for tailoring the delivery of relevant content including text, audio, and video to their desktops. The seminar on these time saving tools and tips was followed up by hands-on sessions on the request of the participants. RSS-related technologies, such as, searching and subscribing to new sources of information related to disciplines or research areas and receiving automated delivery of the information, were further explored. These 'Learnshops' will be repeated next year. But in the meantime, if you are interested in bringing new relevant information to your electronic desktop, you can take a look at the workshop materials at http://celtrss.notlong.com You will find useful information and links including what can be brought to your desktop, how to idem3 a feed, specific tools, how to find a feed using different directories, search engines, and library subscriptions. What participants thought about the Learnshop 'I appreciate the way instructors organise the materials and all the links on one page to facilitate quicker access to different pages. How to find a a collection of feeds in one go.' The presenters are most helpful and the information is very useful.'. . This is like an eye opener for me. I'm glad Ed and Nick run this workshop. I would not have learnt about this latest technology on my own.' 'Many thanks to both Nick and Ed for the wonderful workshop. I have found the topic very interesting and useful. Thanks once again : ) ' : 'Information provided i.e. monitor this is very useful'. very useful and practical workshop'. Spring 2006 TECH CAMP1 was conducted during the study break technological from 8 to10 December 2005. With the theme, Travel Around the World, the three-day camp aimed at developing pedagogical needs. It was well-received by participants. teaching staffs skills with some basic information and communication technologies (ICT) in a fun and relaxing environment. After the camp, teaching staff could then incorporate their enhanced ICT skills into their instruction. The camp not only equipped participants with technological fluency but also connected the acquired skills with their pedagogical needs, It was well-received by participants. Throughout the camp, participants learnt how to prepare multimedia materials and develop web-based materials using built-in tools in Microsoft Office including MS Word, MS Powerpoint and MS Frontpage. They have acquired techniques such basic image creation and editing, video shooting and editing; developing simple animation and interactive presentation; basic website creation etc. *I really appreciate the effort you all put in preparing the workshop and the materials are realty helpful.' We have been given ample time to play around and really tried out the tricks (of using ppt).' 'Useful commands to save time when organizing PPTs.' 'On the whole, the workshop is a success. The instructor is very clear about the instructions. She makes sure everyone follows. Thank you Also, the helps are great. They always stand-by to help with patience and knowledge. Thank you teachers:).' Warm up activities are enjoyable. Instructions and handouts are very informative and easy to follow. Thanks for the fantastic flights!' Student earning Support Learning Support At the end of the Fall semester, a learning support survey -& .A was given to students enrolled in our general education lifelong learning courses. The purpose of the survey was to find out what additional learning support would help students M e r improve their learning skills. A u list of learning support was rated and the results showed A that the students felt strongly positive towards the following:

technical skills for presentation workshops I self-development workshops online resources with learning tips I guest lectures one-on-one consultation virtual -games or simulations I peer-mentorship with social activities In addition to the list provided, a number of students mentioned the need for enhancing their information research skills. Some Year 1 students also expressed the need for online support including the availability of materials for different courses and past exam papers with solutions. Looking at the responses, it appears that students are aware of the importance of personal development and the need to improve learning skills, particularly presentation skills. As well, they seem to like the convenience of having learning resources online and being able to learn from a variety of means. To further support our students, our new General Education course GNEDOOS Eureka! Information Skills for Lifelong Learning will be offered this Spring by the Library. This course takes a problem-solving approach to introduce key databases and sources in different subject areas. Students will learn general searching principles and particular techniques to help them find the appropriate information. Looking ahead, CELT is exploring the possibility of providing lifelong learning skills workshops, online learning tips, open guest lectures, and one-on-one help sessions. We look forward to collaborating with you to create a better learning environment for our students. Upcoming Events Highlights As a continuous support to the TA community, the Spring TA Induction Programme will be held from 2 Feb to 6 Mar. For details, please go to ht@://celt.ust.hk/tdnews.htm. TA Optional workshops will again be offered as a part of the training and registration for workshops will begin on 2 Feb. Mini Tech Camp coming this Spring: 18-19 Apr (MS Powerpoint); 18-19 May (MS Frontpage - website creation). For details, please go to ht@://celt.ust.hk.