National University of Singapore UP Academic Leadership Conference@ Tagaytay © Laksh 2015
Curriculum and Pedagogy for 21st
Century Learning: Some NUS Initiatives
Presented at the UP Academic Leadership Conference
Tagaytay, Philippines
1o March 2015
National University of Singapore UP Academic Leadership Conference@ Tagaytay © Laksh 2015
What is more difficult than to change the course
of history?
Academy
Trivia
Coursera Course:
A History of the World since 1300
National University of Singapore UP Academic Leadership Conference@ Tagaytay © Laksh 2015
What is more difficult than to change the course
of history?
Academy
Trivia
Coursera Course:
A History of the World since 1300
A History course
National University of Singapore UP Academic Leadership Conference@ Tagaytay © Laksh 2015
Much to say, but … Three Principal Thrusts
• Pointedness More Coherent Experiences
• Pathways Affordable Personalization
• Pedagogical Practices learning-centered
impactful
measuring outcomes
reflective
make teaching public, SoTL
National University of Singapore UP Academic Leadership Conference@ Tagaytay © Laksh 2015
Pointedness
National University of Singapore UP Academic Leadership Conference@ Tagaytay © Laksh 2015
NUS Vision on Education: Tsinghua Global Vision Lecture delivered by NUS President Prof Tan Chorh Chuan, 2009
“A lifetime of careers”
and not
“a career for life”
Teaching Performance Indicators are linked to this vision
Teach Learning Skills
National University of Singapore UP Academic Leadership Conference@ Tagaytay © Laksh 2015
General Education Reform at NUS
Existing University Level Requirements (ULR)
(1) GE-coded module; Group A
Science & Technology
(2) GE-coded module; Group B
Humanities & Social Sciences
(3) Breadth Requirement 1
(4) Breadth Requirement 2
(5) Singapore Studies
Revised GE Curriculum
(1) Human Cultures
(2) Quantitative Reasoning
(3) Thinking & Expression
(4) Good Books module
(5) Singapore Studies
National University of Singapore UP Academic Leadership Conference@ Tagaytay © Laksh 2015
Pathways
National University of Singapore UP Academic Leadership Conference@ Tagaytay © Laksh 2015
Pathways
• 26000 undergraduate students Large class sizes
unavoidable – student experience
• Philosophy: to give a good percentage of students small
group, personalized learning experience
at least for part of their university studies
• Sustainable Personalization
• Pedagogy incubators for partial or full scale-up
National University of Singapore UP Academic Leadership Conference@ Tagaytay © Laksh 2015
Some Pathways
• University Scholars Programme
• University Town College Programme
• Design Centric Programme
• Global Engineering Programme
• Special Programme in Science
• … …
National University of Singapore UP Academic Leadership Conference@ Tagaytay © Laksh 2015
NUS University Town
College of Alice & Peter Tan: Active Citizenship and Community Engagement
Tembusu College: Science, Technology and Society
Cinnamon College: University Scholars Program
RC4 Systems Thinking
RVRC Industry Engagement
National University of Singapore UP Academic Leadership Conference@ Tagaytay © Laksh 2015
UTCP promotes
Interdisciplinary
Thinking and
Inquiry
Creativity
Leadership
Reflection
Communication
Team Work
Junior Seminars
Senior Seminar 1
Ideas and Exposition I
Ideas and Exposition II empowers students to engage in modes of thinking and in communicating with a target audience
Senior Seminar 2
Learning in Small Groups, Formal & Informal Learning, Experiential, …
National University of Singapore UP Academic Leadership Conference@ Tagaytay © Laksh 2015
Diverse Student Community • A good mix of local and international students
• All disciplines
• Graduate and undergraduate students
Residential College Learning • Small groups exploring global issues with Asian
perspectives
Interaction with research faculty from
NUS, MIT, ETH Zurich and Technion
NUS University Town
Three distinctive features:
National University of Singapore UP Academic Leadership Conference@ Tagaytay © Laksh 2015
Design Centric Programme
• Launched in 2009
• a unique learning pathway which offers multi-year
projects where engineering students from the
different engineering disciplines can work together to: • Solve problems which have societal impact (e.g. green
recycling methods, medical technologies, energy solutions,
etc.)
• Develop “cool” technologies (e. g. next generation mobility,
future communication, smart living technologies, etc.)
National University of Singapore UP Academic Leadership Conference@ Tagaytay © Laksh 2015
Aerospace Systems Initiative (ASI)
Engineering in Medicine (EIM)
Future Transportation Systems (FTS)
Innovative Systems (IS)
Smart and Sustainable Cities (SSC)
DCP Tracks
National University of Singapore UP Academic Leadership Conference@ Tagaytay © Laksh 2015
Global Engineering Programme
An exclusive programme designed to attract the very best
students to read any branch of engineering at NUS started
in 2009
Provides students an accelerated pathway and enhanced
educational experience that incorporates a strong global
learning aspect
Award of two degrees: Bachelor of Engineering at NUS + Postgraduate degree in Engineering at a
top partner university.
National University of Singapore UP Academic Leadership Conference@ Tagaytay © Laksh 2015 G
lobal
Engin
eeri
ng P
rogra
mm
e
Target group Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4
Up to 50 of the top 1-3% of each cohort
Eng @ NUS Eng @ NUS and/or study at top engineering school overseas
Eng @ NUS and/or study at top
engineering school overseas
Graduate study at GEP partner
university
Distinctive Features: • B Eng at NUS within 3 years including studies abroad (up to 1 year). • Graduate study (e.g. Masters) at GEP partner university on the 4th year. • Specially tailored leadership programmes. • Full scholarship for BEng phase and financial support for the graduate studies. • Enhanced flexibility with Advanced Placement Credits & Independent Study Modules. • Close mentorship by selected faculty members. • Specially tailored UROP with GEP partner universities.
National University of Singapore UP Academic Leadership Conference@ Tagaytay © Laksh 2015
Pedagogical Practices
foster positive/productive interactions between
Students, Faculty in well-designed Learning Spaces
National University of Singapore UP Academic Leadership Conference@ Tagaytay © Laksh 2015
Learning Spaces
National University of Singapore UP Academic Leadership Conference@ Tagaytay © Laksh 2015
“Grade-Pressure Free” 1st Semester
Adjustment to University Life
Better Learning Habits
Incentive to move out of comfort
zone – an explorer’s spirit
Opportunity for faculty to try new pedagogies and
Assessment Potential for this
momentum to carry
into Senior Years
National University of Singapore UP Academic Leadership Conference@ Tagaytay © Laksh 2015
Thinking What we Teach and How we Teach
International Benchmarking
Explosion of Information
Commoditization of Content
Emphasize on Threshold Concepts
Spend more time on “Difficult”/”wicked” issues
Creative and Critical Thinking Exercises
Applications Ill-defined problems, reasoning, troubleshooting
Research-like
Teamwork
Presentation & Critique
Blended/Flipped
Experiential
National University of Singapore UP Academic Leadership Conference@ Tagaytay © Laksh 2015
Use of Technology in Meaningful Ways
Natural Resistance
eLearning Week: Started in 2008 for maintaining business continuity
Now, done each year, to test readiness of Faculty, Students, LMS, Hardware, …
Blessing amidst Tragedy: SARS, H1N1, Haze
Has helped move the baseline in use of Technology for T&L SAMR
National University of Singapore UP Academic Leadership Conference@ Tagaytay © Laksh 2015
Making Teaching Open to Review and
Public Scrutiny
Peer Review of Teaching
Student Feedback on
Teaching
External Reviewers who are pedagogy
experts
Research
(LIF-T, TEG)
SoTL
Short
Sharp
Online
Modern HCI
Comprehensive
• Content
• Pedagogy
• Assessment
Quality
• Online
Multiple/Regular
National University of Singapore UP Academic Leadership Conference@ Tagaytay © Laksh 2015
National University of Singapore UP Academic Leadership Conference@ Tagaytay © Laksh 2015
National University of Singapore UP Academic Leadership Conference@ Tagaytay © Laksh 2015
National University of Singapore UP Academic Leadership Conference@ Tagaytay © Laksh 2015
National University of Singapore UP Academic Leadership Conference@ Tagaytay © Laksh 2015
Thank You Your Comments and Questions are most welcome
