Studying history can sometimes be difficult for students as it involves assessing large amounts of information.

Antonio Kwan has been working in the field of education for about 20 years, mainly teaching history, and now works for The Methodist Church Hong Kong Wesley College. He believes that understanding history is more than just about reading and memorising facts.

Enriched learning

Mr Kwan uses a variety of creative teaching methods to engage students. He also organises extended activities beyond the classroom to enrich their learning experiences.

Together with his colleagues, Mr Kwan designed a board game that introduces players to the ancient Silk Road and Maritime Silk Road, as well as Arab civilisation. Playing the game helps students to grasp timelines and deepens their understanding of historical materials.

Mr Kwan's dedication to enhancing students’ interest and learning capacities resulted in him becoming a recipient of the Chief Executive's Award for Teaching Excellence, in recognition of his outstanding performance in the Personal, Social and Humanities Education Key Learning Area.

He said the award has motivated him to continue innovating and exploring new methods in his teaching career. He believes that studying history is not only about absorbing information, but also about cultivating students' historical awareness, global vision and cultural respect.

“I hope that students can learn from historical events and put these lessons into practice,” he said.

Character development

Alongside imparting knowledge, character development is equally important in teaching.

Wanki Suen, a teacher at the TWGHs Tin Wan (1996-1997 Directors) Kindergarten, believes early childhood is a critical period for character formation and that educators have a vital role to play in influencing its development in students.

“I think teaching by example is always more important,” she said. “Teachers should always set a good example for the children and create a positive learning atmosphere.”

In order to instil a clear idea of good conduct, her kindergarten makes use of picture books, activities and games that encourage children to behave appropriately. Parents are also invited to make picture books with their children at home to reinforce their learning.

To cater to children's interests and learning needs, Ms Suen and her colleagues have also designed their own picture books, highlighting different aspects of Chinese culture, with a subsidy provided by the Quality Education Fund.

Innovative education

Over 950 teachers from different fields have been honoured since the launch of the Chief Executive's Awards for Teaching Excellence in 2003. The Education Bureau said the awards recognise teaching excellence and help to elevate the professional image and social status of teachers.

The bureau’s Chief Professional Development Officer (Teacher Awards & Language Teacher Qualifications) Nongyao Vitayatprapaiphan said that the initiative brings together outstanding teachers, promoting a culture of collaboration and the pursuit of excellence.

The award presentation ceremony is held in July every year. A new round of nominations is currently open. In addition to the existing award categories, two new awards - namely the Award for Budding Teachers and the Award for Education Innovation - have been added.