The Institute of Cultural and Creative Industry (ICCI), in collaboration with the Center for Teaching and Learning Development (CTLD), hosted an engaging lecture titled 'Teaching to an Interdisciplinary Student Body' on September 23rd. This event, led by Ms. Zhao Feng, Vice Dean of ICCI, attracted over 30 participants, including distinguished educators and eager learners.
The event featured two distinguished speakers, Professor Geoffrey Alan Rhodes（路高安教授）and Associate Professor Titus Levi（李台副教授）, who delved into the challenges and opportunities inherent in teaching an interdisciplinary student body. They discussed how they tailor their teaching approaches to cater to students from varied academic backgrounds, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and adaptability in educational approaches while maintaining the quality of learning. They also touched on the integration of technology in education.
Prof. Levi, an academic with a rich background in various educational institutions across the globe, shared insights from his diverse teaching experiences. He proposed a radical shift from traditional educational methods, starting from a baseline where professors assume that students have no shared knowledge base. This approach focuses on establishing fundamental principles, such as “You know more than you think you know,” and only a few objectives for any given course. Flexibly applying these principles to fulfilling a narrow set of aims in a course can work across various disciplines. This method implements practice in reaching educational goals from multiple perspectives; doing so reinforces the depth of learning while accommodating the diverse disciplinary backgrounds of students. Levi made a strong point that practice in applying knowledge and insights takes precedence over simply presenting new information from one week to the next or each new assignment. As part of this emphasis on practice, he advocated for students reviewing previous lessons throughout the term and connection existing knowledge—from other countess, internships and life experience—to lessons covered in the course and its various assignments. Incorporating guest speakers into this process introduces new perspectives on the core goals, which reinforces core course messages. He also described that he encourages a workshop format in the classroom. In this setting students actively teach each other, integrating lessons into familiar contexts from lectures, readings, internships or other courses. This peer-learning strategy fosters deeper understanding of the material. It also encourages the application of knowledge in practical scenarios. Finally, Levi highlighted the importance of allowing students the freedom to explore. Recognizing the diverse backgrounds and career goals of the student body in a given class, this approach promotes experimentation with different roles and ideas, fostering adaptability and creativity.
Prof. Rhodes, renowned for his pioneering work in new media design, AR, and VR, offered a fascinating glimpse into his academic journey and professional ethos. His approach to teaching, deeply rooted in fostering innovative thinking in fine arts and digital curation, emphasized the importance of creating inspiring educational environments. He delved into the nuances of teaching to interdisciplinary groups, emphasizing the need for narrating and connecting discourses in a way that resonates with both artists and non-artists. His approach to education, marked by a survey for inspiration, showcases his belief in the power of diverse perspectives in fostering creativity. He also touched upon the unique challenges faced by educators in creative fields, such as fostering a departmental culture, making paths within university structures, and presenting an identity to the outside world. Rhodes' experience in these areas provided valuable insights into overcoming these challenges. He highlighted the potential for new combinations, fresh work, collaborations, and expanding networks in the exploration of opportunities in the realm of art and technology. This perspective is particularly relevant in today's rapidly evolving creative industries.
This event was not just a lecture but a vibrant forum for exchange and discussion. The participants, including faculty and students, engaged in an enriching dialogue, sharing their own experiences and perspectives on interdisciplinary teaching and learning. As the academic landscape continues to evolve, such discussions become increasingly crucial in shaping effective and inclusive educational strategies.
Reported by Suyun Xu
Proofread by Wenting Xing
Photographed by Lei Pang
Reviewed by Yihong Qiu