Learning to teach in a Marine Theme Park: How Experiential Learning can complement teaching practicum

Abstract

This paper reports on the impact of a compulsory credit-bearing experiential learning (EL) block embedded into an initial teacher education (ITE) programme in Hong Kong. Student teachers have the chance to engage in extended participation with overseas and local community projects, aimed at enhancing their understanding of real-world environments and expanding their capacity to integrate theory and practice. The project in this paper focuses on a placement of student teachers from different subject disciplines to Asia’s largest marine park based in Hong Kong. Qualitative data from 30 participants reveal important outcomes in terms of pedagogical development, including increased awareness of classroom management skills, collaboration skills, lesson planning skills, heightened sensitivity towards learner-centredness and even vocabulary teaching skills.