Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Activity with the School of Education at the University of Southampton: Promoting Student Leadership
Dr Ewan Wright, Associate Professor in the Department of Education Policy and Leadership at EdUHK, collaborated with Dr Tae-hee Choi and Dr Henry Koge from the School of Education at the University of Southampton to design an online mini-course focused on student leadership. Running from November to December 2024, this four-week online mini-course connected students from the Executive Master of Arts in International Educational Leadership and Change (IELC) programme at EdUHK and the Master of Science in Education programme at the University of Southampton to foster cross-cultural dialogue on the practical approaches to nurturing student leadership in schools.
Aims and Objectives
The online mini-course was designed with three primary objectives:
- Facilitating cross-cultural learning
- Developing strategies for promoting student leadership
- Providing networking opportunities
The topic was chosen to extend leadership opportunities to students as part of a well-rounded education, empowering them to positively impact their communities.
The course attracted 35 students from ten countries and regions, including Cameroon, Canada, China (Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland), France, India, Japan, Korea, Pakistan, and the UK. This diversity enriched discussions with varied cultural insights and experiences.
Course Design and Key Phases
The course was carefully designed to balance efficiency and impact. It consisted of four distinct stages:
Stage 1: Pre-recorded Video Lecture
The course began with a concise, ten-minute pre-recorded video lecture by Dr Ewan Wright to introduce the concept of student leadership and its significance in education.
Stage 2: First Zoom Session
The first live session included an introduction, a brief lecture, small group discussions, and task instructions. Participants collaborated on designing strategies to enhance student leadership within their respective schools.
Stage 3: Collaborative Group Work
In this phase, students worked in small groups, meeting online at least twice to complete the assigned task. This collaborative effort enabled deeper engagement and exchange of ideas among students from different backgrounds.
Stage 4: Final Presentation and Discussion
The course concluded with a second Zoom session, where students presented their work in two parallel sessions. The presentations were followed by group discussions involving all participants.
Reflecting on the experience, Dr Ewan Wright shared that collaborating on this online mini-course was a rewarding experience. It provided a valuable platform for exchanging strategies on student leadership across cultural contexts. The discussions and presentations were not only engaging but also held real potential to influence school practices positively.
Acknowledgement
Source: Dr Ewan Wright; Department of Education Policy and Leadership (EPL@EdUHK); For more information, please click Read More
