To me, the most unique aspect about the CDE module is the way students are assessed. Instead of the conventional method of assessment format, where creativity of students may be stifled, CDE offers an alternative assessment in the form of research presentation. Students are given the opportunity to present their research to the class and the audience can then ask questions in response to the presentation and this will allow students to think out of the box, facilitating them to venture into uncharted water, and thus hone their communication and critical thinking skills in the process. Such skills are germane in today's world and are vital to one's success in the current world.
Critical thinking is the ability of one to be able to reflect on, access and judge the assumptions underlying our own and others' ideas and actions. It can be regarded as the most important skill an employee could contribute in helping their companies to grow. It ranked higher than innovation or mastery of information technology. Globalisation, the increased flow and complexity of information and constant changes in business environment all demand that employees have excellent critical-thinking skills so they are able to adapt to new roles, understand issues quickly and solve problems gracefully. The CDE module can continue to develop such critical thinking skills in students by employing Socratic questioning:
- Clarification (What do you mean by......? Can you give me an example?)
- Probing assumptions (What are you assuming?)
- Probing reasons and evidence (How do you know?)
- Viewpoint and perspectives (What is an alternative?)
- Probing implications and consequences (How can we find out?)
- Questions about questions (Why do you think I asked this question?)
Communication skills are also an important facet of our life and are essential in all spheres of life. Be it an interview or dealing with the project leader or working out a solution with a team or writing a report, getting across the point effectively is what matters. A person who has applied for a job and attends the interview needs to impress with his eloquence. Poor communication skills, low confidence levels and improper body language will put the job applicant in a bad light. Professionally, a worker most certainly needs to have the ability to communicate will to do his job well. As one's career progresses, the importance of communication skills increases; the ability to speak, listen, question and write with clarity and conciseness are essential for most managers and leaders. The CDE module has achieved this by allowing students to give presentations and participate in class discussions actively.
Therefore, I feel that CDE module really goes a long way into preparing us for the future through the frequent class discussions. Learning will not be so passive where students are on the receiving end of endless knowledge drilling (rote learning) and are instead provided the chance to voice their opinions, encouraging independent learning in the process.
Therefore, I feel that CDE module really goes a long way into preparing us for the future through the frequent class discussions. Learning will not be so passive where students are on the receiving end of endless knowledge drilling (rote learning) and are instead provided the chance to voice their opinions, encouraging independent learning in the process.
Hi Cheng Tat,
ReplyDeleteInteresting analysis on the relevance of the skills we pick up from CDE course in our future! Indeed, we need to hone our communication skills and critical thinking ability in order to be adept and relevant in the workforce, such skills being vital for sessions such as interviews and meetings. Yet, apart from what is mentioned, I feel that CDE, more importantly, allows us to recognize the difference in the Eastern and Western cultures and become aware of the status quo in China and America. Such awareness will put us in good stead in the future when we need to relate to businessmen or fellow colleagues from these different cultures, as we would have a common topic to broach on, and at the same time, we would not give insensitive remarks. All these efforts help us to establish better relations in the future.
As you said, CDE compels us to step out of our comfort zone and develop our communication as well as critical thinking skills. I feel that this is especially true during the class presentations, where we, as audiences, need to voice out critical questions and opinions with regards to the topic at hand, while the presenter, at the same time, would need to be able to think fast and respond to the questions posed by his classmates. However, I do feel that there is an area for improvement in the lessons. For class discussions, I often observed that not everyone is involved in raising questions and is actively involved in the discussion. As some students are not that confident in expressing themselves, they would perhaps retract themselves from the discussions. In my opinion, we should not neglect these students and perhaps introduce a system whereby presenters could call upon different students to ask questions, hence stimulating the discussion. With such a system in place, all of our classmates would be able to hone their critical thinking ability and effective communication skills!
All in all, I still feel that CDE is a pretty interesting subject that is really beneficial to us all!
Hi Cheng Tat, after reading your post, I do agree with the points that you have raised. Firstly, I do agree that the mode of assessment for CDE is different and special. Unlike other subjects, which have tests and examinations as a mode of assessment, the way CDE is being assessed allows us to express our opinions about current events regarding the East and the West, not forcing us to regurgitate facts or use politically correct answers. The way CDE is being assessed also improves our communication and critical thinking skills. One of the mode of assessment is through a graded presentation, which we will pick a topic and present is during lesson. When we are preparing the presentation, we have to filter through information that is found on the net, and also think critically so as to boost our arguments. While we are presenting, we are training our public speaking skills and this boosts our communication skills. Hence i feel that CDE is not only an academic subject, but a subject that develops us holistically. All in all, good luck in your future CDE lessons!
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