| Q1: Who are you and what do you do? A: I joined THEi in 2017. I formed a small team of Learning Commons (LC) staff at the Kowloon Tong campus and worked with the team for the next six months to plan for the relocation of the LC. LC opened on 29th January 2018 at the new Chai Wan campus and has been offering uninterrupted service since then. Q2: What services does Learning Commons offer? A: LC is a central hub to support student learning. The LC occupies two floors, 1500 square meters in area, on the Chai Wan campus. Users will be able to access to the 560,000 + in print volumes, 307,000+ titles of e-books, 64,000+ e-journals, and 90+ e-databases via the library network. LC offers a range of environmental settings for users to learn individually, to talk in a small group or to participate in a large group. Users can enjoy Wi-Fi services and IT devices for learning and presentations, e.g. iPad / tablet, Notebook PC / MacBook Air; and the use of special printing services, e.g., 3D printing, large size plotter. There are several special areas within LC. One-Button Studio: Users can only press a button to record and practice presentations. MakerSpace: Users can use various tools and devices to build and to make their ideas real. AR/VR Learning Corner: Users can practice and learn from 100+ VR / AR applications. In order to expand the reach and range of readers, LC organizes exhibitions throughout the year, including photo, painting and design products exhibitions. Q3: What is your role other than heading LC? A: I am the Secretary of the Learning and Teaching Committee (LTC), headed by the President. The LTC offers a forum for faculty members to address learning and teaching problems and to develop ways of streamlining learning and teaching processes. Q4: What aspects of your role do you find most interesting? A: To champion of the Institute’s Digitalization Transformation initiative, I act as a change agent collaborating with various Faculty/OUs to implement technology to digitize the work process and boost learning. For example, I work with the LC Education Team to provide strategic assistance to teaching faculty on the use of learning management systems and learning platforms. I also support LC to arrange frequent workshops and seminars on technology-enhanced learning. In AY2019/2020, LC started a three-year project on blended learning. LC has developed a new learning management platform Canvas. LC has started converting learning material into interactive multimedia courseware. Q5: What impact does Covid-19 bring to the Institute in terms of teaching and learning? A: During the Covid-19 face-to-face class suspension period, all learning activities have changed to online mode. The blended learning initiative seems to have happened at the right time! Q6: What is your background? A: Prior to joining THEi, I was an Associate Professor and Associate Head at the Department of Journalism and Communications at Hong Kong Shue Yan University. My research focuses on the adoption of information technology, knowledge creation and knowledge sharing. I obtained my MSc and MPhil in Information Systems Management from the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology and PhD in Education Technology from the University of Hong Kong. |