Local Seminars and Conferences

In order to promote the culture of reading across the curriculum and disseminate the teaching experience of different subject teachers, the Centre for Excellence in Leaning and teaching (CELT) of the Education University of Hong Kong held a sharing seminar on “Teaching Excellence: Subject-based and Interdisciplinary Lesson Designs and Practices of Teaching cum Featured Case Studies Sharing Session” on June 24 2023 at the Tai Po Campus of The Education University of Hong Kong. The event which had attracted over 130 educators to participate.

The event commenced with a keynote speech by Dr Cheung Wing-tak, the retired Associate Professor of Chinese Language Studies of EdUHK. He explained the notion of reading across curriculum and how different subjects could be integrated in a reading programme. An example of a school in Guangxi province was introduced to illustrate how to plan and implement across curriculum reading programme in the school. The school has taken reference from the resource kit developed by Dr Cheung and EDB. After the keynote speech, there were two featured case studies sharing sessions. A total of 30 schools teachers, who participated in two programmes entitled “Workshop on Effective Strategies to Enhance Learning and Teaching in a Small Class Environment”and Support Programme on Fostering Communities of Practice to Enhance Small Class Teaching”, shared their teaching experience covering the themes of Self-Regulated Learning, STEM, Life Planning and Small Class Teaching in various subjects, such as Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics, General Studies, Physical Education etc.

The seminar of the “Support Programme on Fostering Communities of Practice to Enhance Small Class Teaching 2022/23 entitled “Preliminary Exploration & Future Development of Career Education” was successfully held on March 11, 2023 on the Tai Po Campus of The Education University of Hong Kong. Dr. Stephen Yip, the Co-Director of Centre for Excellence in Learning & Teaching (CELT) and Director (Schools) of CLAP@JC, was invited to be the Keynote Speaker who explained Life Planning Education and its implementation strategies in a professional and humorous manner. He did not only share a case of the CLAP@JC Project but also briefly introduced the content of "Career Education Benchmark (Primary)(Pilot)" to the audience.

The second speaker Mr. Ching Chi Cheung, the Principal of Chinese YMCA Primary School, shared his practical experience in implementing interdisciplinary Life Planning Education activities in primary schools, including discovering and cultivating students’ talents through their performance in academic subjects, multiple intelligence classes and extra-curricular activities, and to widen their exposure through dialogues with celebrities ad parents’ sharing to learn about different industries and jobs, as well as setting up the subject “Healthy Life” for exploring and pursuing dreams with students.

To suggest a possible career path, Professor Ko Po Yuk, the Director of CELT & a Management Board Member of Hong Kong Guide Dogs Association, introduced guide dogs and animal-assisted intervention services, and the related occupational content, values, attitudes, skills and knowledge (VASK) required for employment. Professor Ko had invited Ms. Chi Tan Nin Fianna, who is also a Management Board Member of Hong Kong Guide Dogs Association, to share her career journey from a fashion model to a handler of service dogs, showing that the career exploration process is an endurance race. It is, therefore, necessary to inculcate a positive attitude in students who would be ready to adjust their vision and skills according to the needs of the environment for creating different job opportunities. She had also brought along two therapy dogs, Ace and Obi, which had interacted with the participants and demonstrated their magical comforting power that animals can bring to humans and how that could be integrated in education, bringing a new experience of animal-assisted education to school children.

The 3-hour seminar with professional knowledge which aligned with the practical needs of education was a full-house event. The theoretical framework of Dr. Yip, the authentic case sharing of Principal Ching, and the special speeches of Professor Ko and Ms Chi together with the two therapy dogs had inspired the participants to think from a new perspective which could be a focal point for planning the curriculum and activities of Life Planning Education in future. For any enquiry about this topic or professional support service, please contact our centre.

To promote collegial exchanges in the field of STEM, the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) of The Education University of Hong Kong held a sharing seminar entitled "Fostering interdisciplinary pedagogy for STEM Education in Primary Schools of Hong Kong cum Book Launch of ‘STEM Education in Hong Kong: Theory & Classroom Practice’” on December 19, 2020. The event attracted more than 200 colleagues in the education sector to participate online.

Professor LEE Chi Kin, Vice President (Academic) and Provost, Chair Professor of Curriculum and Instruction, and Co-Director of CELT, was invited to give a welcome speech and officially presided the book launch of ‘STEM Education in Hong Kong: Theory & Classroom Practice’. After the officiating ceremony, Professor KO Po Yuk, the Director of CELT, introduced the content of the new book and the CELT project of “Fostering Interdisciplinary Pedagogy for STEM Education in Primary Schools of Hong Kong” funded by The Education University of Hong Kong.

The sharing session began with Professor Ko’s speech on “Challenges and Insight of Hong Kong STEM Education", discussing how to deal with the challenges brought by “an interdisciplinary curriculum of STEM education” and "online teaching" as well as further exploring the possible developmental direction to achieve excellence in teaching STEM education. The team led by the Vice Principal, Miss Wong Wing Sze together with Miss Chuang Wai Chung (PSMCD) & Mr. Yu Yiu Cho, of Yan Chai Hospital Choi Hin To Primary School, Miss Ng Kam Ling (PSM) of CCC Hoh Fuk Tong Primary School, and the team of  Mr. Cheng Ting Fai (PSMCD), Mr. Leung Ka Chun, and Miss Chan Po Ling of Yuen Long Long Ping Estate Wai Chow School shared their experience and feelings in designing and implementing school-based interdisciplinary STEM curriculum, and responded in details to the questions raised by the participants during the final Q&A session.

This event has provided a valuable opportunity for colleagues in the education sector to think about the development of interdisciplinary pedagogy in STEM education from different perspectives. CELT will continue to strive hard in this area and provide appropriate support to optimize the development of interdisciplinary STEM education in Hong Kong.

An online Sharing seminar of “Provision of Services for Support Programme on Fostering Professional Learning Community to Enhance Learning and Teaching in Special Schools through Learning Study (2019-20)” commissioned by EDB conducted by Prof Ko Po Yuk and Dr Lai Meng Choo was held on 14 December 2020.  It aims to disseminate the outcomes and insights of the research lessons implemented in local special schools. Two groups of Professional Learning Communities consisting of teacher representatives from 8 participating schools shared their experience with the participants and received favorable feedback. The event which had attracted over 100 participants offered an opportunity for local teachers to have a better understanding of how a Professional Learning Community could be operated.

The Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) organized an online symposium sharing the outcomes of the Education Bureau commissioned Workshops on “Effective Strategies to enhance learning and teaching in a small class environment” in 2019-2020 on 31 October 2020. The event commenced with a talk on “The International Perspective of Small Class Teaching: Challenges and Opportunities” by Dr. Lai Kwok Chan, the Honorary Advisor of CELT and the Founding Director of the former Centre for Small Class Teaching (CSCT). The talk had provided valuable information about the recent development of small class teaching (SCT) around the world. The talk was followed by four parallel online sessions sharing the good practices conducted by the teacher participants of the four core subjects (Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics, and General Studies) who attended the programme in 2019-2020. The event which had attracted approximately 400 participants offered an opportunity for teachers to keep abreast of the latest development of small class teaching as well as sharing practical ideas in enhancing learning and teaching in a small class setting.

The Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) organized a sharing session entitled “Teaching Excellence: Inspiration from Science and Technology Innovation for Teaching and Learning cum Featured Case Studies Sharing Session” on 22 June 2019. The event  was kicked off  by the welcoming speech by Profession Lee Chi Kin, John, Vice-President (Academic), The Education University of Hong Kong and Co-Director, Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, followed by the presentation of certificates to the sharing schools of “Support Programme on Fostering Communities of Practice to Enhance Small Class Teaching 2018-19”.

In the morning session, Ms Wang Xue Hua, Secretary-general, STEM+ Research Institute, Shanghai, and Ms Wen Mei Yu, a teacher of the National University of Tainan Affiliated Primary School, were invited to be the keynote speakers, sharing their experience on STEM curriculum implementation in Shanghai, and application of AI technology to facilitate innovative teaching in Taiwan respectively.

In the afternoon session, there were two featured case studies sharing sessions. The ten parallel sharing sessions covering the themes of “Self-regulated learning”, “e-learning” and “STEM education” in teaching Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics, General Studies, Liberal Studies, Chinese History and Information Technology. Teachers from more than thirty schools shared their experiences of the one-year collaboration with teachers of cluster schools and school-university partnership in achieving excellence in teaching.

The whole-day event had attracted around 370 participants, including government officials, educators, principals and teacher participants, from Hong Kong and Macau. The participants found the event fruitful and inspiring, helping them pursue excellence in teaching.

Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) and Chief Executive’s Award for Teaching Excellence Teachers’ Association jointly organized the “Teaching Excellence Forum 2019 cum Inauguration Ceremony of Teaching Advisors” on 2 March 2019 with the theme of “Excellent Curriculum Development: Focusing, Deepening and Sustaining”. The forum attracted nearly 180 principals and teacher participants. 25 awardees of Chief Executive’s Award for Teaching Excellence were appointed as teaching advisors of CELT in the Inauguration Ceremony. The teaching advisors will not only share their experience with the front-line teachers through different professional development activities, but also provide academic and teaching guidance to the undergraduate students of the Education University of Hong Kong as mentors.   

The first part of the forum was sharing of personal experience about how to focus, deepen, and sustain excellent curriculum by three awardees of Chief Executive’s Award for Teaching Excellence or Certificate of Appreciation for twice, including Mr. LEUNG Wai Yip from TWGHs Chang Ming Thien College, Mr. HO Yik Kiu from Christian & Missionary Alliance Sun Kei Primary School, and Mrs. KWAN-LU Pui Ling from Tang Shiu Kin Victoria Government Secondary School respectively.

The second part was an open forum hosted by Dr. KO Po Yuk, Director of CELT and Dr. YIP Yam Wing, Stephen, Co-director of CELT. Four principals and their respective teachers, who are awardees of Chief Executive’s Award for Teaching Excellence, namely Mr. NG Yung Fai (principal) and Mr. SHUM Chun Yip (teacher) from Heung To Middle School (Tin Shui Wai), Mr. SO Ping Fai (principal) and Ms. CHUNG Kwan Ling (teacher) from Tin Shui Wai Methodist Primary School, Dr. POON Suk Han (principal) and Ms. WAN Kit Ping (teacher) from Christian and Missionary Alliance Sun Kei Secondary School, and Mr. LIN Man Sheung (retired principal) and Ms. WONG Wing Sze (teacher) from Pui Kiu Primary School were invited to  discuss ways to achieve teaching and learning excellence in Hong Kong. The forum has provided the participants with authentic examples of focusing, deepening, and sustaining excellent curriculum as well as insight on renewing their school-based curriculum.     

The Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) organized a symposium entitled  “Teaching Excellence: Embracing innovation and tradition cum Featured Case Studies Sharing Session” on 16 June 2018. The event was kicked off by the Professor Tsui Kwok Tung, Associate Dean (Quality Assurance and Enhancement) of Faculty of Education and Human Development, followed by the word of encouragement from Dr. Lau Hung-cheong, Senior Education Officer of the Education Bureau.

In the morning session, Dr Teo Tang Wee, an Assistant Professor of the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, and Dr. Chang Huei Cheng, Taipei Municipal Zhongshan Girls High School, Taiwan, were invited to be the keynote speakers, sharing their experience on STEM education in Singapore, and a new approach of “Share Start” and Flipped education in Taiwan respectively.

In the afternoon session, there were featured case studies sharing session and two parallel workshops. The seven parallel sharing sessions covered the themes of “STEM education”, “e-Learning” and “self-regulated learning” in teaching Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics, General Studies, and Humanities subjects. Teachers from more than twenty schools shared their experiences of the one-year collaboration with teachers of cluster schools and school-university partnership in achieving excellence in teaching. The two workshops “A STEM curriculum framework to guide design and implementation” and “Practical ways of implementing Share Start” which followed were conducted by the two keynote speakers, Dr, Teo and Dr Chang. The parallel sharing sessions and workshops had provided a platform for teachers and educators to exchange ideas of both education innovation and tradition.

The whole-day event had attracted approximately 500 participants, including government officials, educators, principals and teacher participants, from Hong Kong and Macau. It is hoped that the event will inspire more teachers and schools to continue their effort in pursuing excellence in teaching and learning.

Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) and Chief Executive’s Award for Teaching Excellence Teachers’ Association jointly organized the first “Teaching Excellence Forum” on 27 January 2018. The Forum provided a platform for Principals, teachers and educators to share experiences in achieving excellence in teaching as well as views on developing outstanding teams.

With the theme of Establishing Schools of Teaching and Learning Excellence, the Forum attracted more than 200 principals and teacher participants.  Dr. KO Po Yuk, Director of CELT, delivered a keynote speech. It was followed by a showcase for schools’ achievements in excellent teaching and learning led by four awardees of the Chief Executive’s Award for Teaching Excellence from four aspects – uniting excellent teachers, disseminating good practices, developing outstanding teams, and establishing schools of excellence. The four speakers were Mr. Nam Ching Sze (Principal) from The Methodist Church HK Wesley College, Ms. Cheng Lai Kuen (Vice Principal) from F.D.B.W.A. Chow Chin Yau School, Ms. Wan Ngai Ting (Panel Chairperson) from Tak Sun School, and Ms. Tse Siu Wah (Panel Chairperson) from Jockey Club Ti-I College. In the closing session, Professor Chiu Chi Shing, Co-Director (Development) from CELT, hosted an open forum and panel discussion. Three primary and secondary school Principals (namely Dr. Tsang Wing Hong from Chiu Chow Association Secondary School, Dr. Chu Kai Wing from CCC Heep Woh College, Ms. Sit Fung Ming Joyce from Baptist (STW) Lui Ming Choi Primary School) were invited to share their views on establishing school of excellence, and the participants had a lively discussion about ways to achieve teaching and learning excellence in Hong Kong. The forum demonstrated that CELT is committed to inspiring more teachers and schools to pursue excellence in teaching and learning.  

The Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) organized a symposium titled Enhancing Teaching and Learning Effectiveness through SDL and e-Learning cum Featured Case Studies Sharing Session on 24 June, 2017. The event has attracted nearly 450 local, Macau and Mainland participants from schools, tertiary institutions and other educational sectors.

The opening speech was delivered by Dr Lau Hung-cheong, Senior Education Officer of the Education Bureau. Other keynote speakers included Professor Yeh Ping-cheng from the Department of Electrical Engineering of National Taiwan University and Mr Lu Kuan-wei, CEO of Junyi Academy of Taiwan. The speakers shared their experiences in providing support to the development of Self-Directed Learning and e-Learning in Taiwan. Their excellent speeches stimulated the discussants and event attendees to actively participate in the subsequent forum hosted by Dr Ko Po-yuk, Director of CELT.

Cases studies of Self-directed Learning and e-Learning were featured in the afternoon’s parallel sessions. The cases covered the four major subjects of Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics and General Studies. Primary and secondary school teachers from 33 schools presented relevant experiences and outcomes, as well as the effectiveness of their practices.

The event has provided an opportunity for teachers and other educators to share experiences and exchange ideas of educational innovations. The participants showed their passion for education as well as enthusiasm for developing effective teaching and learning environments for learners. 

The “Featured Case Sharing of Inter-school Communities of Practice cum CELT Teaching Advisors Appointment Ceremony” organized by The Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) was successfully held on 4 July 2016. Approximately 300 participants from the Education Bureau, higher education institutions, local secondary and primary schools attended the event.

At the ceremony, Professor John Lee Chi Kin, Acting President of The Education University of Hong Kong and Co-Director of CELT (Research), presented the Appointment Certificates to nineteen outstanding awardees of the Chief Executive’s Award for Teaching Excellence who have given their kind consent to be the Teaching Advisors of CELT. The Certificates of Completion to the project schools of the “Support Programme on Fostering Communities of Practice to Enhance Small Class Teaching” were then presented by Professor Chiu Chi Shing, Co-Director of CELT (Development). After the presentation of certificates, Dr. Ko Po Yuk Director of CELT, gave a speech on “Enhancing Learning and Teaching Excellence through Communities of Practice” in which three cases selected from three various programmes had been used for illustration.

During the parallel sessions of the Featured Case Sharing that followed, representatives from primary and secondary schools shared their experiences and good practices in the Key Learning Areas of Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics, General Studies, Integrated Science, Liberal Studies and Humanities with themes covering self-directed learning, e-learning, and Learning Studies. The interactive discussions after the sharing sessions had rendered not only a valuable opportunity for professional dialogues but also collegial sharing of effective pedagogies.

On 12 October 2015, the talk was presented by Dr Ko Po Yuk to the Chief Executive’s Award for Teaching Excellence Teachers Association (CEATE). It aims to illustrate how to analyze the effectiveness of a lesson in terms of managing both the object of learning and critical features. Through detailed exemplification and explanation, the core elements of an effective lesson will be vividly demonstrated.

On 9 October 2015, a half-day sharing seminar of the Teacher Professional Development Programme on "Application of Theory of Variation in Lesson Study for Special Schools (2014-15) " commissioned by EDB was conducted by Dr Ko Po Yuk, Dr Lai Meng Choo and Ms Leung Ka Wai (Teaching Fellow I, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, The Hong Kong Institute of Education) with favourable feedback. It aims to disseminate the outcomes and insights of the research lessons for local special schools.

The Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) was established in June 2015 under FEHD with a vision to become a major professional development centre in Hong Kong and the Asia Pacific region for nurturing highly competent teachers and developing effective pedagogies. A launch ceremony of CELT cum the Featured Case Studies Sharing Session was held on 3 July, 2015 with a participation of over 200 participants from the Education Bureau, higher education institutions, and secondary and primary schools in Hong Kong and Macau.

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