AsianScientist (May 21, 2014) – Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is establishing a new center to fill the void in research on the best learning practices specific to Singapore’s tertiary education sector.
Known as the Center for Research and Development in Learning, or CRADLE for short, it is hoped that the S$30 million (~US$24 million) initiative will bring new insights and a sea change in university learning.
The university has appointed Professor Lee Sing Kong, currently Director of National Institute of Education, to the new position as Vice President for Education Strategies. Prof. Lee, who steps down as Director of NIE on 30 June 2014 after more than 7 years at the helm, will lead the development of NTU’s strategies and innovations in curricula, teaching methods and assessment.
NTU provost Professor Freddy Boey said, “To prepare our youths for the future, there has to be a fundamental transformation in higher education which includes the integration of technology into university learning and teaching.”
NTU has been working with Imperial College London to implement a comprehensive suite of learning innovations at its new medical school, including technology-driven lessons, team-based learning, online e-modules and the latest educational tools such as iPad-supported learning and virtual dissection.
“Already, NTU has invested $20 million in this at the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine and we intend to expand these innovations to other NTU schools,” added Prof. Boey.
The new research center aims to kick off with about ten projects, including research related to students’ understanding of e-learning at the university level. In addition, CRADLE will work with universities such as Stanford University in the US and the UK Higher Education Academy.
Prof Lee Sing Kong said, “CRADLE will complement the work of NIE by expanding the current research on learning effectiveness at the primary and secondary schools to the higher education level. I foresee CRADLE playing an important role in introducing actual learning and online strategies that will advance university students’ learning and one that’s relevant to the Singapore context.
“We also want to build a strong pool of local experts who can contribute to the development Singapore’s tertiary sector where not much research has been done on learning at the university level.”
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Source: Nanyang Technological University; Photo: Felix Chia/Flickr/CC.
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