Overview

Programme Aims

This programme aims to equip secondary school teachers with sound knowledge and hands-on practices of emerging technology-enhanced pedagogies specific for English learning and teaching, and strengthen teachers’ competence and confidence in delivering and sustaining emerging technologies in secondary English Language curriculum.

On successful completion of the programme, participants will be able to:

• demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of principles and strategies of pedagogical integration of emerging technology-enhanced learning for achieving learner-centered learning in the paradigm of learning and teaching for school education dynamically, in particular English learning;
• apply knowledge of principles and strategies for integrating emerging technologies, such as AI, AR, VR and metaverse, into pedagogical design for effective learning and teaching;
• apply knowledge and skills of pedagogical principles and strategies for integrating elements of emerging technologies into subject-specific pedagogical designs for the English Language curriculum in Hong Kong;
• enhance information literacy skills to effectively evaluate and ethically use digital resources and information in the context of emerging technologies; and
• strengthen both competence and confidence in delivering and sustaining emerging technologies in secondary English Language curriculum.

Programme Structure

The programme comprises the following three core courses of 3 credit points each:

Pedagogical Design and Practices in Emerging Technology-Supported Environment

This course will start with an introduction to the broader contexts and pedagogical goals of emerging technology-supported learning environments. These environments aim to achieve active, constructive, interactive, authentic and immersive learning under the learner-centered learning paradigm. The course will delve into fundamental principles for designing and implementing pedagogies, drawing from theoretical models, frameworks and strategies like the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework, inquiry-based learning, mobile learning, seamless learning, flipped classroom, self-directed learning, personalised learning, immersive learning models respectively in emerging technology-supported learning environments. Throughout the course, participants will be engaged in a reflection on how teachers’ understanding of pedagogical designs, disciplinary contents and technological applications intersect and contribute to effective learning and teaching in these emerging technology-supported learning environments.

Effective Use of Emerging Technologies in Secondary English Classrooms

This course introduces a wide range of emerging technologies and their applications in promoting effective English learning and teaching in Hong Kong secondary schools. The course provides secondary teachers with principles, concepts and pedagogical practice that will help to integrate emerging technologies into their school-based English Language curriculum. Focus will be given to using emerging technologies to achieve objectives of Key Stages 3 and 4 of the English Language curriculum, including integration of classroom and independent learning; life-wide learning; IT for interactive learning, and catering for learner diversity. The course will enable teachers to arouse students’ interest in English, increase their interaction and collaboration with teachers and other English language learners, and assist them to be more flexible, independent, motivated and engaged in their own learning, thus developing life-long language learning skills. The effective evaluation of emerging technologies will also be included. IT resources covered in the course include a variety of readings, websites, software packages, hardware tools, and emerging technologies (e.g. AR/VR, metaverse, and AI tools) appropriate to the learning needs of secondary students.

Sustainable Development with Emerging Technologies in Schools

This course introduces different emerging technologies such as tools for artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). By analysing school resources, goals, or missions, a sustainable school-based plan or project proposal will be further developed for a sustainable environment for learning and teaching. The course provides participants with conceptual and practical experience in developing a feasible development plan and proposal with emerging technologies in consideration for project funding, project management, teacher professional development activities, and learning resources deployment upon the completion of the course. Project planning and management models will be introduced as the framework for developing the school-based plan or project proposal. Participants will be engaged in learning design and interactive discussions throughout the study. The aim is to stimulate participants’ sustainable ideas for future learning and teaching demands in the practical applications with emerging technologies.

Medium of Instruction

The medium of instruction is English.

Entrance Requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants should be:

• in-service secondary school English language teachers; and
• recommended by school principals.

Award

To be awarded a Certificate of Completion, participants must obtain a pass in all assessment tasks required and successfully fulfill the attendance requirements as stipulated by the programme.

Other Information

This Government-funded programme is supported by the Education Bureau (EDB). Schools which release teachers to take this programme are eligible for appointing supply teachers, if deemed necessary. Government and aided schools shall contact the EDB for detailed arrangements. Private and DSS schools shall make their own arrangements for the employment of supply teachers.

Participants who complete our PDPs are eligible to apply for credit transfer if they enroll in our postgraduate programmes. Their applications will be considered on an individual basis.

Remarks: Each school can recommend more than one teacher.