Poster Presentation Time: 1225-1400; 1500-1600

Venue: H2, Tai Po-Shek-O Room, Lower Level I

Presenter(s)

– Dr Pauli LAI, Lecturer, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

– Dr Julia CHEN, Director, Educational Development Centre, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Abstract

A common assessment in university is the oral presentation, and students are often required to deliver presentations in English. Two challenges arise. First, many students mainly focus on the discipline content in the assessment preparation process rather than the communication or use of English in their presentations. Second, lecturers of large classes (e.g. around 200 engineering students in one course) hardly have time to give feedback to each student on the English communication aspect of their oral presentations. A baseline survey reveals students’ need for assistance with presentation skills and a hope for having AI-generated feedback among both students and discipline teachers. To address these needs and hope, a team of educators from PolyU and BU with expertise in language and AI technology collaboratively developed an online English oral presentation platform called SmartPresenter. SmartPresenter provides students with presentation tips, learning materials, and extensive AI-generated feedback on the communication-related aspects of delivering oral presentations in English, including eye contact, facial expressions, vocal fillers, pronunciation, and fluency. This presentation describes the development and features of SmartPresenter, and the evaluation results of the effectiveness of the platform in facilitating independent learning practices for English oral presentations and assisting teachers in grading presentation assessment.

Theme: 1: Showcase Project Achievements

Sub-theme: 1.3  Special UGC Grant for Strategic Development of Virtual Teaching and Learning (VTL)

Poster Presentation Time: 1500-1600; 1700-1800

Venue: E2, Tai Po-Shek-O Room, Lower Level I

Presenter(s)

– Dr Grace NGAI, Head, Service-Learning and Leadership Office, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

– Dr Stephen CHAN, Principal Project Fellow and Founding Head, Service-Learning and Leadership Office, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

– Dr Perry LEE, Manager, Service-Learning and Leadership Office, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

– Dr Angel LUO, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

– Dr Shuheng LIN, Project Fellow, Service-Learning and Leadership Office, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

– Mr Kenneth LO, Senior Manager, Service-Learning and Leadership Office, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University,

Abstract

In Hong Kong, internationalization is a key performance indicator for the higher education section in response to the policy goal of establishing the city as a regional education hub (University Grants Committee, 2017). Resources have been allocated to universities for various initiatives including the recruitment of international faculty and students, inter-institutional collaboration in research, and students’ overseas learning experiences. A document analysis study on 6 universities in Hong Kong showed a notable increase of institutional focus on internationalization, intercultural skills, culture, diversity, equality, and inclusion post-pandemic (Lai, 2022). Besides its contribution to global connectivity, knowledge exchange, and institutional development (Lane, 2014), internationalizing higher education is also important to prepare students for a globalized world (Egron-Polak, 2011). Given the increasing diversity within universities and societies, prioritizing the cultivation of students’ intercultural sensitivity (IS) has become essential as it enhances students’ academic and personal success and fosters harmony and development within communities. Different strategies have been implemented in higher education institutes to provide intercultural opportunities for students. These include student mobility programmes, including short and long-term immersive learning activities that bring students outside of their home country to study abroad. At the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, this includes international service-learning (ISL), with a university target of 50% of students having an ISL experience by 2027-28. In this poster presentation, we will study the impact of ISL on students’ intercultural sensitivity from multiple dimensions, including knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

Theme: 2. Thematic Exploration

Sub-theme: 2.3  Community Engaged Learning

Oral Presentation Time: 1600-1700

Venue: Rose Room, Lower Level II

Presenter(s)

– Dr Hazel CHEN, Lecturer, Division of Languages and Communications, College of Professional and Continuing Education, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

– Dr Doreen TSE, Senior Lecturer, Division of Business and Hospitality Management, College of Professional and Continuing Education, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Abstract

LCS4573 Teaching Primary School Students English as a Service-Learning Experience is a subject offered by the Division of Languages and Communication at CPCE PolyU in partnership with the New Home Association. Since Semester 1 of 2021, more than 50 students majoring in Language and Professional Communication have participated in the project, accumulating 6,000 service hours and benefiting over 350 primary school children and their families in Sham Shui Po and Tin Shui Wai in Hong Kong. The project involves English tutoring for P1-P3 children from underprivileged and new immigrant families. This presentation focuses on three areas of improvement achieved through the students’ enthusiastic contribution and involvement. Firstly, students’ English literacy and public speaking skills were enhanced as they became more aware of their own language level, grammar, lexicon, and pronunciation through content preparation. Secondly, students’ pedagogical innovation skills and confidence were developed as they explored new teaching methods. Thirdly, students gained an in-depth understanding of the education resources disparity in Hong Kong and formed emotional bonds with the children. This presentation will showcase LCS4573 as a prime example of community engagement learning and the positive impact it has had on CPCE students, the primary school children, and the local community.

Theme: 2. Thematic Exploration

Sub-theme: Community Engaged Learning & Community of Practice (CoP)

Poster Presentation Time: 1225-1400; 1500-1600

Venue: G4, Tai Po-Shek-O Room, Lower Level I

Presenter(s)

– Dr Hung-lin CHI, Associate Professor, Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

– Ms Junyu CHEN, Ph.D Student, Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

– Mr Haolei LIN, Ph.D Student, Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Abstract

KnowLearn is an interactive learning assistant system designed for architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) education, where personalized recommendations for students in virtual learning environments remain under-explored. An educational knowledge graph (KG) was constructed to contain multifaceted information by connecting pedagogical, learning performance, and learning feedback data as sub-graphs. A heterogeneous graph attention network (HAN) was implemented to infer latent information in the educational KG and identified essential factors shaping students’ acceptance of virtual learning environments. Based on sampling data of 107 students from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Department of Building and Real Estate, we found students’ self-efficacy, intention to use, and in-class quiz performance were significant predictors of final learning outcomes in subjects that adopt virtual learning environments. This project further deployed a local-based large language model (LLM) Qwen-7B and built an interactive graphical user interface (GUI) with Gradio. Utilizing the information preserved in the educational KG and learned from HAN as the basis, this LLM facilitated conversations between students and KnowLearn, enhancing personalized recommendations while securing student privacy. The developed system contributed to helping improve the learning experiences and performances of AEC students within virtual learning environments.

Theme: 1: Showcase Project Achievements

Sub-theme: 1.1  Teaching Development and Language Enhancement Grant (TDLEG)