Dr. Hao Chen, Dr. Markus Rach, Dr Jack Woo, and three first year undergraduate students who are Leonador Chen, Rick Huang, and Weeky Guo from Business School conducted a learning and teaching Professional Development Workshop (PDW) at the International Association for Chinese Management Research’s (IACMR) 10th biennial meeting, which took place in Hong Kong Baptist University from June 14th to 18th, 2023.
Participants in the conference include management scholars, students, managers, and consultants who are interested in advancing their knowledge about organizational management in the Chinese context. Besides keynote speech, award recognition, research paper presentation, symposium, panel and roundtable discussion, the conference also offered a series of professional development workshop for paper development, teaching and learning. Represented by associate professors and undergraduate students from Business School, Shenzhen Technology University led a teaching workshop at the IACMR’s 10th biennial meeting in Hong Kong. The Professional Development Workshop (PDW) was chaired by Associate Professor Jack Woo.
The PDW shared student’s voices from Generation-Z on their expectation for participatory learning. The PDW also demonstrated the use of innovative technology solutions, such as programed problem-solving, metaverse, generative-AI (ChatGPT) and animated case study, to design engaging and immersive learning experience while applying management science to solve real world problems. An open discussion with workshop participants was conducted at the end of the workshop to exchange idea and experience in using technology solutions in participatory learning.
Leonador Chen, Rick Huang, and Weeky Guo : Voice of Generation Z
Based on a research study on the use of technology in teaching and learning in Chinese Universities, esp. in Guangdong Province, the students found that most recent studies on Chinese higher education system were focusing on reform, internationalization and expansion of student enrollment. However, the students’ real demands were not addressed. Students were always in a state of lack of career planning in their whole educated life. The traditional teaching method prohibited students from participating in their learning objective and progress. The gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application made it difficult for students to apply the knowledge and find a matching job. The students conducted a questionnaire surveys which addressed questions such as students’ key issues in learning, expectation from university, professor, participatory learning and Learning Management System (LMS). Based on the survey results of 350 + valid responses, the students concluded that there should be more communication and exchange between students and professors to cultivate applied talents who can integrate theory with practice. The teaching should foster students' enthusiasm for learning and provide guidance or academic support. They also suggested professors shall provide more diverse ways for students to participate in learning. Finally, they recommended the use of LMS to manage teaching and track learning progress so that students can get real-time learning feedback.
Dr. Jack Woo : Participative learning and real-time learning feedback using technology platform solutions
Participative learning recognizes the need to actively engage learners in their learning process. Traditional teacher-student relationship and knowledge passing method can no longer meet the demand for a learner-centric approach in the knowledge diffusion, application and creation process. Fortunately, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and low code programing have enabled educators to design and structure the educational activity around the learners’ needs, potentialities, personal and cultural characteristics, and individual learning objectives. In this session, Dr. Jack Woo demonstrated the use of programed problem-solving, automated workflows, and Power platform to engage learners’ interest in theoretical management concepts, involved them in more practical activities and real-life issues, and provided them with real-time feedback on their learning progress.
Dr. Markus Rach : Teaching, learning & interacting in immersive and generative-AI supported environments by
The metaverse has been the buzzword of 2021, since Facebook’s renaming into Meta, which sparked a new level of interest and discussion around the term. Scholars and practitioners alike wondered, while struck by COVID-19 isolation or quarantine measures, whether virtual worlds will substitute the physical classroom. Most importantly, will the benefits of virtual worlds and immersive teaching environments out-balance the costs of their implementation. To answer this question, Dr. Markus Rach took the workshop participants on a highly explorative journey to the depth of the metaverse, while sharing his experience of researching and teaching in the metaverse, as well as creating virtual experiences. The workshop participants were invited to join a brief live-metaverse experience to gain firsthand insights into the opportunities, but likewise there were limitations of immersive teaching environments.
Dr. Chloe Chen : Interactive (animated) case with simulation
Generation Z (Gen Z) has become the main body of Business schools. They are tech-savvy, entrepreneurial, with diverse values and are open to try new things. As social media becomes one of their main sources for information, their learning preference and behavior significantly changes compared with previous generations. The majority of Gen Z are familiar with online and virtual education materials, tools and platforms and love to learn and explore in an interactive way. Traditional business teaching cases are usually in a simple word format without instant interactions and could be boring to many Gen Z learners. By digitalizing case materials to create instant interactive experiences, students could be engaged in a way that they are familiar with. Dr. Chloe Chen led the discussion and showed animated video as a new way of case teaching.
Finally, the workshop was well received by the participants. Some of the participants comments on the workshop are:
"Amazing presentation from all of you! I was so intrigued that I didn't leave in the middle (to catch my flight)"
"Very good session. Thanks a lot. Hope to have future discussions and collaborations!"
"I am quite impressed by the faculty of SZTU, to be honest. The style is very business school!"
Text/Picure: 黄仁可 Rick HUANG/陈语利 Leonardo CHEN/郭芷曦 Weeky GUO
Proof: Jack WOO
