Local primary school pupils are using a programmable computer device to turn English classes into sessions on how to design mechanical toys.
'A great way for people to learn is to design or create things where they grapple with all sorts of ideas,' explained Robbie Berg, professor of physics at Wellesley College in the US, who visited Hong Kong last week.
'While children are building things, they are also building their own knowledge,' said Professor Berg, who helped design the program - called Crickets - in Massachusetts Institute of Technology's media lab while researching the use of computer tools in education.
'The right kind of play activity is an incredibly powerful thing.'
The computer-educational tool was introduced to 14 primary and secondary schools by Chinese University of Hong Kong's Centre for University-School Partnerships.
Last week's visit was to review the play-study scheme, which was first implemented locally in September last year with the help of a HK$3 million donation from the Hung Hing Ying and Leung Hau Ling Charitable Foundation.
CUHK's Project Creative Class director, Felicia Tsang, said the project could eventually be introduced into the formal school curriculum with more funding.