Rapid moves of learning and teaching online on pedagogy was unsurprising during the pandemic. Diverse online teaching techniques and strategies are emerged under this new normal. In response to this significant change, “EdUHK Online Teaching Support Series: Webinar 4” was co-organised by the University, the Centre for Learning, Teaching and Technology, the Faculty of Education and Human Development, and Department of Early Childhood Education (ECE) on July 3, 2021. The webinar received 313 registrations and it allowed ECE experts and practitioners to share their online teaching techniques and strategies with an aim at supporting young children online learning experience.
Prof. Kerry Lee, Head of Department of ECE, and Dr. Chan Po Lin, Associate Head (Learning and Teaching) of Department of ECE, were invited to share their views on learning and teaching online on current pedagogy in ECE. Prof. Lee pinpointed that it was a dilemma when adopting online learning for young children. While going online so early might bring harm to children’s health, online learning was however a way to maintain young children’s learning during the pandemic. Prof. Lee suggested that blended learning could be a feasible option by introducing a project “Early Childhood Education STEM and Maker Education”. The digital resources would be developed and beneficial to blended learning. Dr. Chan agreed with Prof. Lee that there was an prevailing trend of blended learning in ECE. In order to make online learning more effective, she suggested providing more online teaching technical supports and emotional supports to users, adopting a person-oriented approach when designing learning materials, and involving the families closely in the learning process.
Lastly, Dr. Cheuk-Wong Kwok Sai Tricia, Associate Head (Programme and Field Experience) of Department of ECE, moderated a session for the practitioners (the principal and the teachers) of two kindergartens to share their experiences in ECE e-learning practices in the community and systematization of blended learning and teaching respectively. Through the Q&A session, participants exchanged experiences and insights actively in how to enhance online learning and teaching supports for teachers and students under the new normal.