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New approach puts the object of learning back into focus

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WHEN LAI MENG-CHOO, teacher development consultant at the Hong Kong Institute of Education, spent her time in the classroom more than six years ago, teaching for her meant reading the textbook.

She rarely gave thought to whether her students understood what she said in class until she adopted a new teaching and learning approach that illuminated gaps in their knowledge.

Learning study, inspired by a century-old Japanese way of teaching, is the brainchild of a group of dedicated educators in Hong Kong led by Lo Mun-ling, head of the Centre for Learning-study and School Partnership at HKIEd.

'Each student,' Dr Lo said, 'has his or her own way of seeing an object of learning. Different perceptions result in different learning outcomes.'

She said some students underperformed because they had a poor understanding of what was to be understood, and learning study helped them by putting the object of learning back in focus.

'The key to effective learning is not to provide a good learning environment or overwhelm students with activities, but to handle the content of learning to ensure students discern the critical aspects of the object of learning,' she said.

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