Virtual Exchange on Child Development in Hong Kong and Mexico for Early Childhood Educators
Early childhood education (ECE) student teachers from Hong Kong and Mexico engaged in enriching online groups to explore how kindergartens and families in both regions support the development of young children. Facilitated by educators from the ECE Department, Escuela Normal para Educadoras de Arandas (ENEA), and Escuela Normal para Educadoras de Guadalajara (ENEG), this virtual exchange took place from September 27 to December 13, 2024.
The opportunity was shared with 340 students from EdUHK, inviting them to participate voluntarily. Despite the 14-hour time difference, 18 students from Hong Kong successfully registered and completed the collaborative tasks. Facilitators included Dr Anika Saxena and Ms Sofie Chua from EdUHK, Mtro Iván Alejandro Lara Gutiérrez and Mtra Yolanda Fajardo Santana from ENEA, and Mtra Gretel Lomeli Covarrubias from ENEG. They organised two activities to examine how child development practices vary between Hong Kong and Mexico.
The first online synchronous briefing session successfully set expectations regarding participation, behaviour, and tasks, including deadlines. During this initial meeting, students were given ample time to get to know each other and share contact information and their preferred social media platforms, which facilitated the subsequent two asynchronous small group meetings for completing the assigned tasks. This session played a crucial role in breaking the ice and fostering a mutually respectful environment, enabling students from both sides to excel in this collaboration.
Google Classroom served as the central platform for enhancing collaboration and communication among participants. Throughout the process, the teaching teams provided guidance and support to deepen students’ understanding and assist with the tasks. In the first activity, students discussed daily routines and practices in kindergartens in both regions. For the second activity, video responses were collected using Padlet, where each group created a short video centred on one of the following areas: Language, Mathematics, Physical Development, Social-Emotional Development, Aesthetics and Creativity, Citizenship Education, or Rules and Authority. These videos showcased how these aspects are approached in families and classrooms.
The final meeting, also known as the closing ceremony, featured special guests Prof Ramón Hernández (Director of Normales in the State of Jalisco) and Mr José Antonio Rodríguez González (Director at ENEA), who delivered brief remarks. The group then gathered to watch the seven creative videos and celebrate the successful collaboration.
To recognise their efforts, each student who completed the assigned tasks received a certificate from all three participating institutions.
Here are some reflections from the students about their experience in the virtual exchange:
- “I learned many educational differences between the two places, such as parenting styles, teaching methods, and kindergarten environments.”
- “It was a great and meaningful experience. I thought preschool education would be very different on another continent, but there are many similarities. I also enjoyed connecting with others on the same journey as me.”
- “It was an opportunity to step out of my comfort zone, practice my English, and learn about other cultures.”
- “The most incredible part of this collaboration was meeting my Mexican groupmates; I never expected to make friends from the other side of the world!”
This virtual learning experience not only broadened students’ perspectives on early childhood education but also fostered cross-cultural understanding and global friendships.
Acknowledgement
Source: Dr Anika Saxena; Department of Early Childhood Education (ECE@EdUHK); For more information, please click Read MoreGlobal Perspectives @ ECE Department
