The Application of Free Web Tools to E-Learning Platforms for Integrating Cantonese Opera into Hong Kong Chinese Language Education in the Era of Web 2.0

Abstract

In the era of Web 2.0, weblogs can be converted into e-learning platforms by embedding free web tools. The advantages include the multi-media interface, the inclusive nature of embedding and the openness to the cyberspace which foster feedback and sharing for interactive learning.

Integrating Cantonese opera into Chinese language education is a new curriculum development, which echoes the “3-3-4” (3 years of junior secondary, 3 years of high school and 4 years of university) new senior secondary school curriculum in Hong Kong which will be implemented in 2009. The elements of Cantonese opera are used as means to teach the prescribed topics of Chinese language education in the elective modules such as the Cantonese opera workshop, the cultural exploration of Cantonese opera bamboo-shed theatres and the audio-visual adaptation on Cantonese opera scripts.

This new curriculum development can be empowered by using weblogs as e-learning platforms because the advantages of weblogs can cater for the variety of learning objects from language to literature and from culture to performing arts. As a pilot test, free web tools have been embedded into weblogs to set up e-learning platforms of different content and approaches: - Interesting story-telling of behind-the-scene for knowledge acquisition - Multi-media showing for art appreciation of classic Cantonese opera - Webquest for pre-visit preparation for Cantonese opera bamboo-shed theatres

This paper presents the initial findings of the application, and serve as a preliminary reference of this trend for the educator sector.