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Varsity Experiential Learning

Model: The World is Our Classroom

Agnes Lam (Lecturer)

No matter what challenges lie ahead for the media
industry, wisdom can always be sought from the
basics and core values in journalism - accuracy, visiting News Expo, they learn evolution of the press
credibility and integrity. These are the cornerstones industry, in Hong Kong Museum of Medical Science,
of the training model of Varsity. they learn how Hong Kong survived pandemics in
the past and compare that with their experience
Varsity strives to turn students into critical during COVID-19. Students learn to look at current
information consumers and creative content affairs as evolution of events rather than a dot on
producers bearing journalism core values in mind. a timeline, conduct research with a longer timeline
Skill set including news sense training, sensitivity in mind and seek peace and wisdom with lessons
and curiosity about what is happening in the real from the past when dealing with challenges and
world, interpersonal interaction that can stand make sense of what’s happening now.
against the test of time are highlighted in the
curriculum. More importantly, students learn how In the era of disinformation and misinformation, it
to live and work in a real world. is vital for students to develop critical thinking when
processing information from the media, social
Real Life Newsroom media and museums. On-site visit, speaking to the
Operating as real life news room, student reporters people involved and reading books can strengthen
develop story ideas, conduct reporting, research, students’ awareness about fact-checking and
write and rewrite stories, take pictures and film contemplate how far they are willing to go for facts.
videos. Student editors have to edit, sub-edit and
proofread stories. Apart from text stories, students Field Trips for Exposure
also produce other news products such as podcast, Visit to Mil Mill, the first and only carton recycling
photos and videos. factory in the city, is arranged for students to
learn sustainability. Varsity students also visit
They are also tasked to do layout and manage media outlets such as CNN, Agence France Presse
three social media accounts on IG, X and Facebook. (AFP), Bloomberg and South China Morning Post.
They are encouraged to write stories about subjects Students also obtain first-hand insight from veteran
that they really want to investigate. The working journalists in the media industry through attending
mode of Varsity is to activate their creativity and events at the Foreign Correspondents Club to
sensitivity, and help them find their passion. mingle with foreign correspondents based in Hong
Kong and speaking to movie producers in sharing
Outings, trips and a Japan study tour are arranged session of a film about investigative journalism – In
for Varsity students under an experiential learning Broad Daylight.
model so that students can put what they learn in
classroom into practice. A day trip to Sha Tau Kok is arranged for students
to explore the impact of a government initiative
Students are arranged to visit Legislative Council, to open up the restricted area for tourism.
Court of Final Appeal, Tai Kwun, Public Record They conduct interviews and learn the latest
Office to learn how Hong Kong is governed. In development of the city’s border town is further
opened to visitors under the Policy Address 2023.

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