The University of Macau (UM) held the UM Teaching Excellence Award Seminar today (10 September). Katy Ieong Cheng Ho Weatherly, assistant professor in the Faculty of Education and recipient of the UM Teaching Excellence Award for the 2024/2025 academic year, delivered a talk titled ‘Play, Pause, Reflect: Teaching through Creative Narrative’. Through interactive activities, Prof Ho Weatherly demonstrated how to use creative design to enhance reflection practice, deepen engagement, and create a more human-centred learning environment.
Speaking at the event, Fan Lianghuo, dean of the Faculty of Education, said that UM attaches great importance to teaching quality and students’ learning experience, and therefore presents the UM Teaching Excellence Award annually to encourage and recognise outstanding teaching staff. He also gave an overview of Prof Ho Weatherly’s educational background and teaching philosophy.
During the talk, Prof Ho Weatherly took the audience on a journey of exploring creativity and reflection in teaching using interactive games. She also shared her personal story of transitioning from a violist to an educator and teacher trainer, and encouraged the audience to reflect on pivotal moments in their own professional careers. Prof Ho Weatherly’s entire talk centred around three teaching strategies: gamification, autoethnography, and perspective-shifting techniques. She enhanced intrinsic motivation and reflective decision-making by incorporating game elements, and encouraged a deeper understanding of cultural experiences through self-narrative.
In addition, Prof Ho Weatherly engaged with the audience during the Q&A and discussion session, which was moderated by Fiona Yang Xi, associate professor in the Department of Integrated Resort and Tourism Management in the Faculty of Business Administration and recipient of the UM Teaching Excellence Award for the 2022/2023 academic year.
| Source: Rector’s Office | |
| Media Contact Information: | |
| Communications Office, University of Macau | |
| Albee Lei | Tel: (853) 8822 8004 |
| Jason Leong | Tel: (853) 8822 8322 |
| Email: | prs.media@um.edu.mo |
