Floating fresh ideas about old topics
Watching sunrise from the deck of a vessel in the middle of the sea is the perfect way to teach pupils how to appreciate the merits of traditional poetry.
That's the opinion of teachers who are accompanying 25 Form Three students from the Ying Wa College, and 21 Primary Six students from its subsidiary school Ying Wa Primary School, aboard the Adventure Ship for a three-day voyage of discovery.
The learning trip, focusing on Chinese, mathematics and general studies, is part of the Adventuring to Learn programme sponsored by the Quality Education Fund (QEF). The programme also involves other activities in which mainstream students are paired with those in special schools, to promote a culture of tolerance.
On board, students will learn poetry and literature at sunrise by observing the colours of the clouds and the water, followed by swimming. Coastal features including cliffs, marine arches and sand spurs will be observed off Sai Kung with the help of sailors and coaches, and geometry will be applied by measuring the height of the mast, and reading marine maps.
Off lesson time, the students will be trained in sea survival, literally learning the ropes and enjoying other team activities such as trapezing and board sailing, designed to boost their self-esteem and build up team spirit.
Kwong Hing-shiu, vice-principal of the Ying Wa Primary School, said the aim of the trip was to connect learning with real life experience. This, he said, was in line with education reforms.
'Nothing is better than real life for teaching abstract concepts like colours and shapes,' Mr Kwong said. 'And nothing can arouse the curiosity of students as much as nature itself.' However, he added it took knowledge of both the school curriculum and the existing pool of extra-curricular activity agencies to plan such learning activities.
'We hope the government can provide more financial initiatives. The QEF support for the Adventure Ship is a good start.'
