Title: SDGs – Instructions for lifeboat on Titanic
Time: 07.13.2022
Place: Tunghai University
Speaker: Professor Chuin-Shee Shang from Center for General Education
▍What are Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
Not long after the event began, Professor Chiun-Shee asks everyone, what are some issues you were concerned about or worried about. The participants mentioned the issues such as ocean pollution, food security, global warming, inequality in educational resources, etc. All of the issues mentioned by participants are included in the 17 SDGs proposed by the United Nations, which are matters of concern for many people.
※Teaching TIPS: Teaching TIPS: To encourage students to participate in class, Professor Chiun-Shee gives extra credits to students who raise their hands and express their opinions.
▍SDGs involves multiple professional domains!
United Nations divides the 17 SDGs into social progress, economic growth and environmental protection, however many of the SDGs cover more than one of the aspects. For example, SDGs 2: Zero Hunger, covers both economic growth and social progress. On the other hand, SDGs 17: Partnership for the Goals, covers all aspects. This shows that the SDGs proposed by United Nations requires interdisciplinary coordination and integration. Professor Chuin-Shee shares an example of interdisciplinary approach on SGDs. Whether making a song about global warming would make people more likely to pay attention to this issue? In conclusion, to achieve the SDGs, requires not only environmental engineers, but also experts from various fields like social, economy and education to showcase their expertise.
▍Teaching Insights
▶ Professor Chuin-Shee arrange group discussions in her classroom. Initially, there were little interactions among students. To enhance group dynamics, Professor Chuin-Shee will arrange interesting group activities, which helps improve focus in class and teamwork within the groups. By the end of the semester, interaction within the groups became lively.
▶ In the past, Professor Chuin-Shee had received student reports that were copied and pasted! To make sure students do their own work, she changed the format of assignment into creating their own lesson plans.
▶ Professor Chuin-Shee adjust the difficulty of the course material or teaching method based on how much the students’ learning progress. Professor Chuin-Shee also found that students enjoy having conversations with the Professor.