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The Unconventional Learning Experience of Students—Becoming a Courier of Marine Stewardship

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Emerging Practices in Scholarship of Learning and Teaching in a Digital Era

Abstract

This chapter is to, through an unconventional field-based and service-based education programme for undergraduates studying in the Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), determine whether self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (scuba) diving in association with relevant training on marine conservation is an effective teaching intervention for environmental education. The aim of this programme was to promote participants’ action competence in marine conservation and protection. A team of seven undergraduate students, enrolled in the programme entitled Courier of Marine Stewardship at the EdUHK (Courier MS EdU), were trained with knowledge about marine conservation and protection, and basic skills in undertaking an underwater ecological study. Upon completion of their training, the team transferred their knowledge and experiences through educational talk to local pupils and participated in community services of Reef Check Hong Kong 2015 and seabed cleanup. Based on a post-programme interview of the team members, this programme was found to have enhanced participants’ acquisition of solid knowledge and positive values through first-hand unconventional learning experience, which in turn strengthen their action competence in conserving and protecting the ocean. The difficulties in organizing such unconventional programme included financial and logistic constraints, risks associated with diving, and leisurely expectation of the students which hindered the cognitive and attitudinal outcomes of this field-based activity.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the financial support from the Knowledge Transfer Funding, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (FLASS/KT05/14–15) on the education programme.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Education in Environmental Sustainability, Department of Science and Environmental Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong

    Chi-Chiu Cheang, Cheuk-Fai Chow & Lincoln Fok

Authors
  1. Chi-Chiu Cheang
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  2. Cheuk-Fai Chow
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  3. Lincoln Fok
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Correspondence to Chi-Chiu Cheang .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Learning, Teaching and Technology, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong

    Siu Cheung Kong

  2. Department of Mathematics and Information Technology, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong

    Tak Lam Wong

  3. Department of Curriculum and Instruction, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong

    Min Yang

  4. Department of Science and Environmental Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong

    Cheuk Fai Chow

  5. Department of Chinese Language Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong

    Ka Ho Tse

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Cheang, CC., Chow, CF., Fok, L. (2017). The Unconventional Learning Experience of Students—Becoming a Courier of Marine Stewardship. In: Kong, S., Wong, T., Yang, M., Chow, C., Tse, K. (eds) Emerging Practices in Scholarship of Learning and Teaching in a Digital Era. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-3344-5_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-3344-5_10

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