By equipping students with multidisciplinary expertise in learning sciences, design thinking and technological innovation, CUHK’s Bachelor of Science (Learning Design and Technology) Programme is cultivating the next generation of learning specialists poised to shape the future of education.
New technologies are transforming education at unprecedented rates. In this new digital age, learning design using innovative technologies holds the key to improving educational outcomes.
It is against this background that The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) launches the new Bachelor of Science (Learning Design and Technology) Programme (LDTE) to nurture the next generation of specialists who can shape the future of education through state-of-the-art learning design and technological skills.
Jointly offered by the Faculties of Education, Engineering and Science, the vision of the integrated four-year programme is “to equip students with multidisciplinary knowledge in education, technology and science”, says Professor Thomas Chiu, LDTE Programme Co-ordinator, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Faculty of Education of CUHK.
“In this post-pandemic age of rapid technological change, our students need a multitude of perspectives to thoughtfully create educational tools and solve problems in relation to the digital realm,” Chiu elaborates. Students will develop theoretical foundations in learning sciences and learn to apply innovative technologies and pedagogical design principles to enhance learning environments through a variety of domain core and specialist elective courses.
“While some people may be highly skilled in just one of the three disciplines, we aim to cultivate professionals able to integrate all this knowledge, know their audiences well and deliver learning efficiency,” explains Dr. Tong Shiu Sing, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science of CUHK.
Students, for instance, gain in-depth knowledge through courses in educational technologies (EdTech) and learning design, cognitive psychology, instructional design and assessment, STEM education, and education research methods. Hands-on experience with technologies like artificial intelligence and mobile/web apps is embedded throughout the curriculum.
As the LDTE programme was launched in 2022, its current cohorts are set to complete internships and service learning in and beyond Hong Kong, applying their learning design and technological expertise in organizations like schools, NGOs and EdTech companies. They also carry out trans-disciplinary research projects synthesizing multi-disciplinary theory and practice. Students leave the programme not just as competent users but also as designers of technology-enhanced learning.
Seeing huge growth in the EdTech industry, Professor Lee Tan, Department of Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of CUHK, says the programme is a timely offering: “We’ve seen STEM EdTech companies increase tenfold in just a short time. And these firms are looking for employees who understand both technology development and how to apply it to enhance learning.”
The flexible curriculum structure means that graduates are well-trained to pursue careers in a wide range of settings. Graduates aiming for a teaching career can continue their studies in teacher education programs. According to Tan, they are prepared to serve as tech specialists and science/technology teachers in educational institutions – from kindergarten through to vocational training centers and universities.
The LDTE Programme equips students with skills applicable to a wide range of roles focusing on the development and delivery of technology-enhanced learning. Graduates can build promising careers as instructional designers, learning strategists, STEM education designers, and educational product developers for publishing, software and hardware companies. They can also make valuable contributions to education start-ups as educational data analysts and e-learning consultants/trainers that leverage emerging technologies.
Looking ahead, Chiu notes the LDTE programme will continually adapt its curriculum in response to the latest educational research and feedback from students, faculty staff and industry partners. “The world is changing fast and as new technologies continue to emerge, the skills and knowledge gained through this forward-looking program will empower graduates to ideate, innovate and shape the future,” he concludes.
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Information hub
JUPAS code: JS4386
Programme video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxS19G7eFY
Programme Website: https://www.fed.cuhk.edu.hk/ldte
Telephone no.: 3943 6950
E-mail: ldte@cuhk.edu.hk
