Integrating Experiential Learning into Formal Curriculum: The HKU Experience

Abstract

In September 2009, the Hong Kong SAR Government implemented the ‘New Academic Structure for Senior Secondary Education and Higher Education’. Under the new academic structure, local universities now offer 4-year undergraduate programmes instead of 3-year. In preparing for the 4-year undergraduate programmes, universities establish experiential learning as an important component for all undergraduate degrees. At The University of Hong Kong (HKU), the synergy between experiential learning and formal curriculum has been introduced long before government’s policy. The overview of HKU’s experience in experiential learning will be introduced with case studies of innovative design and course structure to illustrate students’ experiences and learning as well as, the development, implementation and evaluation of experiential learning projects. These case studies are drawn from experiential learning courses offered by Faculty of Architecture, Faculty of Business and Economics and Faculty of Engineering.