Isabella Wai-Yin Poon

Associate Dean (Education), Faculty of Science
Professor, Department of Statistics
The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Recipient of the Inaugural University Grants Committee (UGC) Award for Teaching Excellence (September 2011)

Daniel Tiong Hok TAN

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Before I took up the post of Associate Dean, my teaching approach was shaped by my former teachers, quite traditional and straightforward. Though I did teach with passion and prepared well-organised lesson plans with materials to address the needs of both good and less able students, my teaching approach was basically teacher-centred and focused on transmitting content knowledge to my students. I worked quite independently and isolated in terms of teaching. After I assumed my duty as the Associate Dean, I started to learn by reading literature in relation to teaching and learning, and then I realized that I had limited knowledge on teaching. Fortunately, I had the privilege to develop partnership with colleagues at the Centre for Learning Enhancement And Research (CLEAR) and colleagues at our Science Faculty. Since then, I became a student of teaching and have learned to apply various student-oriented approaches in my courses.

As a teacher, I observe that students can learn a lot by working with peers; as a student of teaching, I find it extremely fruitful to work with peers who have passionate interests to enhance teaching and learning. This annual Teaching and Learning Innovation Expo provides an effective platform to facilitate peer learning. This year is the fourth time that I participate in the Expo. I acquire a lot every time and enjoy very much the opportunities to showcase and share my works with other teachers who are committed to the same aspiration of enhancing students' learning. I still remember that there were less than 20 presenters in the first Expo held in 2007, and I am excited to see that the scale of the Expo continues to grow. Being a teacher who benefits substantially from this Expo, I like to express my appreciation to the Information Technology Services Centre and the Centre for Learning Enhancement And Research for their effort in organising this meaningful event for teachers, and I very much hope that this Expo and the effort of many dedicated colleagues in enhancing teaching and learning will continue to flourish in the upcoming years.

In September 2011, Professor Poon was conferred the inaugural UGC Award for Teaching Excellence, in recognition of her outstanding teaching performance and achievements. UGC highly praised the achievements of Professor Poon with the following award citation: "Professor Poon Wai-Yin is a fully committed and selfless academic in advancing learning and teaching in higher education. Her own development as an educator has greatly contributed to her adopting learner-centred approaches in her work, as well as the spreading of such practices. As a driver for change, her leadership in bringing a cultural shift within her institution has been most impressive. Professor Poon indeed exemplifies exceptional commitment to and excellence in teaching, and she will contribute significantly to the UGC sector in this area."