The Courses on HKU Online Learning
With the support of TALIC, CEDARS has launched two new online courses specifically designed for Executive Committee (ExCo) members of student societies that organise student-led orientation activities to welcome new students in the summer.
- The first course, FIN2501 Financial Management for Student Societies, aims to shed light on the importance of financial management to student organisations, extend their knowledge and skills on good financial management practices, such as financial management principles, budgeting, operational considerations, governance, reporting standards, and funding applications, etc. The course also strengthens the student organisers’ risk control awareness through case studies, covering critical areas such as the falsification of financial records and embezzlement.
- The second course, SEN2501 Supporting Students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) During Student-led Orientation Activities, aims to equip student leaders with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively support participants with SEN. Key topics include identifying diverse SEN needs, utilising available university resources for support, and practical strategies for ensuring inclusivity and accessibility within all student-led activities in alignment with the HKU Equal Opportunity Policy.
Flexible Learning at the Student’s Own Pace
Each course is designed to be completed in approximately one hour or less, and upon successful completion, students are awarded a digital certificate. Crucially, the online format provides unparalleled flexibility, allowing students to learn at their own pace and convenience—whether they choose to complete a module in a single session or in phases.
The online modules address a key challenge in student training. The courses are intended for students to complete before they organise their orientation activities in the summer. However, many students have packed summer schedules due to internships, exchange programs, or other commitments, making attendance at fixed face-to-face training sessions difficult, as our previous experience has shown. The online format offers a highly suitable alternative, providing the flexibility for students to learn anytime, anywhere, and at their own pace. This ensures they can acquire these essential skills without conflicting with their other summer engagements, a significant advantage over less flexible traditional training methods.
Disseminate Vital Training to Foster Student Leadership
Student Leaders and Incoming Students
- University Learning: The practical application of financial management and inclusive leadership skills enhances the quality and impact of student-led activities, contributing to a more vibrant and well-rounded university experience for the entire student body. Student leaders themselves gain invaluable hands-on experience in organization and leadership.
- Personal Growth: Engaging with these modules fosters a strong sense of responsibility, ethical awareness (from FIN2501), and empathy and inclusivity (from SEN2501). These are cornerstones of personal development, honing students’ leadership capabilities, problem-solving acumen, and interpersonal effectiveness.
- Lifelong Learning: The principles of diligent financial management, unwavering ethical behavior, and a deep-seated understanding of and commitment to supporting diversity are highly transferable skills. These competencies are invaluable not only during their university careers but also in their future
CEDARS
Online modules empower CEDARS to disseminate vital training to a broad audience of student leaders in a more consistent and cost-effective manner. Fees incurred for venue, logistics and trainers in physical training workshops can be saved to better focus on improving the teaching content and method.
The Wider University Community
The impact of these modules extends to the broader university community. Well-trained student leaders contribute to more responsibly governed and financially accountable student societies. Furthermore, enhanced awareness and skills in supporting students with SEN foster a more inclusive, equitable, and supportive campus culture, reflecting HKU’s commitment to equality of opportunity. This collaboration also highlights a successful synergy between CEDARS and TALIC in leveraging educational technology for student advancement.
Unified Effort in Preparing Our Students for the Future
Content Contributors
The development of the content for both the FIN2501 and SEN2501 online modules was led by the CEDARS-LEAF Student Leadership Development Programme. A notable aspect of this development process was the active involvement and valuable assistance of student leaders, ensuring the courses are practical and resonate with the student experience.
- For FIN2501 Financial Management for Student Societies, the course content benefited from the insights of a Year 2 undergraduate student who served as the chairperson of an academic society. The Course Consultant was Professor Winnie Leung, Associate Professor of Teaching at the HKU Business School, who brought her extensive experience in financial reporting and accounting.
- For SEN2501 Supporting Students with SEN During Student-led Orientation Activities, the development was assisted by a Year 3 undergraduate student who uses a wheelchair, bringing firsthand perspective to the module’s content. The Course Consultants were CEDARS-SEN Support and the Equal Opportunity Unit, both of which provided critical insights into supporting students with diverse needs and the importance of the Equal Opportunity Policy and relevant procedures to follow.
Course Design and Technology Support
The TALIC team supports the course design of the CEDARS-LEAF Student Leadership courses and provides technical support in disseminating the contents on HKU Online Learning via the Open edX platform.
TALIC instructional designers collaborate with CEDARS LEAF content contributors to create multimedia and multimodal learning experiences aligned with the course learning objectives. The online course consists of flexible micro modules compiling visuals, interactive activities, videos, knowledge-check quizzes, and assessments, to foster a dynamic and inclusive learning environment. The online modules engage students in active participation and help them take control of their learning at their own pace.
New Technology to Support Student Learning Beyond the Classroom
Before the development of the two online training modules, CEDARS has previously received reports from student societies concerning financial losses stemming from improper record-keeping. Additionally, complaints have been received from students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) regarding a lack of equal opportunities to participate fully in orientation activities. Therefore, these courses directly address known challenges and are designed to proactively equip student leaders with the necessary skills and awareness.
Therefore, the online modules are anticipated to yield several significant positive impacts:
- Enhanced Governance and Financial Stewardship: A marked improvement in the governance and financial health of student societies.
- More Inclusive and Supportive Activities: The fostering of more inclusive, accessible, and supportive student-led activities, especially during the critical orientation period.
- Developed Student Leadership: An elevation in the leadership skills and awareness among student leaders concerning financial diligence, ethical conduct, and the principles of inclusivity.
- Positive Campus Environment: Contribution to a more positive, equitable, and supportive campus experience for all students.
- Showcasing Successful Collaboration: A clear demonstration of the fruitful collaboration between CEDARS and TALIC in advancing student learning, personal growth, and leadership development through the innovative use of educational technology.
For Course Design and EdTech Support: