The Use of Technology for Teaching and Learning in Hong Kong

AGK-1002 The Use of Technology for Teaching and Learning in Hong Kong Interactive Qualifying Project submitted to the faculty of Worcester Polytechnic Institute in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science March 5, 2010 Sponsoring Agency: Lingnan University Submitted to: Dr. David M. Kennedy, Director, Lingnan Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC) Professor Andrew Klein, WPI Professor Professor Creighton Peet, WPI Professor Respectfully Submitted by: ______________________________ Benjamin Cabrera ______________________________ Justin Fraize ______________________________ Matthew Runkle ABSTRACT The goal of this project, sponsored by the Teaching and Learning Centre at Lingnan University, was to ascertain ways to improve the use of technologies by students and faculty at Lingnan University for teaching and learning. From data collected through classroom observations, interviews, and surveys with faculty and students, several recommendations and opportunities were proposed. These included changing classroom configurations, using text messages for easier communication and investigating collaboration and social networking technologies for possible integration into the curriculum. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Lingnan University Project team would like to thank the following people for their exceptional and noteworthy contributions, without which this project would not have been completed: Dr. David Kennedy, the Director of Teaching and Learning Centre at Lingnan University and our project sponsor The following Teaching and Learning Centre Staff: Ms. Grace Ho, Educational Development Officer and Assistant Project Director Mr. Brant Knutzen, Educational Development Officer Ms. Carol Chan, Departmental Secretary Ms. Lillian Tang, Senior Assistant Administrative Officer Mr. James Chong, Information Officer Mr. Max Lue, Project Technical Officer We would also like to thank the Information Technology Services Centre (ITSC) Staff, the research professionals, and the faculty and students at Lingnan University for allowing us to interview them, and we would also like to thank the faculty and the students at Lingnan University for completing our surveys. Finally, we would like to thank, Professor Creighton Peet and Professor Andrew Klein, our project advisors from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, for their invaluable guidance and term-long feedback. iii AUTHORSHIP This project report was written solely by the WPI students, Benjamin Cabrera, Justin Fraize and Matthew Runkle, with feedback from faculty advisors Creighton Peet and Andrew Klein, and sponsor David Kennedy. The three WPI students contributed equally to each section of the report, with multiple revisions performed by each member. The following table, however, denotes the individual(s) primarily responsible for drafting the corresponding sections: Section Author Executive Summary Justin Fraize 1.0 Introduction Benjamin Cabrera 2.0 Background 2.1 Technology in Education Justin Fraize 2.2 Learning Styles Matthew Runkle 2.3 Teaching Style Benjamin Cabrera 2.4 Popular Teaching and Learning Technologies Matthew Runkle 2.5 Education in Hong Kong Justin Fraize 3.0 Methodology 3.1 Current Technology at Lingnan University Benjamin Cabrera 3.2 Current Usage and Perception of Technology Matthew Runkle at Lingnan University 3.3 Summary Justin Fraize 4.0 Results and Analysis 4.1 Available Technologies Justin Fraize 4.2 Technology Usage and Perceptions Benjamin Cabrera, Matthew Runkle 4.3 Summary Matthew Runkle 5.0 Recommendations and Opportunities 5.1 Recommendations Justin Fraize, Matthew Runkle 5.2 Opportunities Benjamin Cabrera 5.3 Conclusion Matthew Runkle Appendices A-B Matthew Runkle Appendices C-G Justin Fraize Appendices H-J Benjamin Cabrera Appendix K Benjamin Cabrera, Justin Fraize Appendices L-N Matthew Runkle Appendices O-R Benjamin Cabrera Appendix S Matthew Runkle iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ....................................................................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................................................... iii Authorship ................................................................................................................................................................................. iv Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................................................................... v Table of Figures & Tables ................................................................................................................................................... vii Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................................................. viii 1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1 2. Background ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4 2.1. Technology in Education ................................................................................................................................... 4 2.2. Learning Styles ...................................................................................................................................................... 6 2.3. Teaching Styles ...................................................................................................................................................... 9 2.4. Popular Teaching and Learning Technologies ....................................................................................... 13 2.5. Education in Hong Kong .................................................................................................................................. 16 3. Methodology ................................................................................................................................................................. 18 3.1. Current Technology at Lingnan University ............................................................................................. 18 3.2. Current Usage and Perception of Technology at Lingnan University .......................................... 22 3.3. Summary ................................................................................................................................................................ 26 4. Results and Analysis ................................................................................................................................................... 28 4.1. Available Technologies .................................................................................................................................... 28 4.2. Technology Usage & Perceptions ................................................................................................................ 36 4.1. Summary ................................................................................................................................................................ 53 5. Recommendations and Opportunities ................................................................................................................ 54 5.1. Recommendations ............................................................................................................................................. 54 5.2. Opportunities ....................................................................................................................................................... 58 5.3. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................................. 60 Annotated Bibliography ...................................................................................................................................................... 62 Appendix A: Sponsor Description ................................................................................................................................... 80 Appendix B: Google Earth Campus Resource Map .................................................................................................. 86 Appendix C: ITSC Usage Interview Protocol .............................................................................................................. 91 Appendix D: ITSC Direction Interview Protocol ....................................................................................................... 92 v Appendix E: Faculty Interview Protocol ...................................................................................................................... 93 Appendix F: Student Interview Protocol ..................................................................................................................... 94 Appendix G: Research Professor Interview Protocol ............................................................................................. 95 Appendix H: First Year Student Survey .......................................................................................................................

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