Designing an Applied Learning course on information and communications technology for high school students

Many businesses suffered from the COVID-19 pandemic, but the tech industry tended to benefit from the global crisis. The need for remote working and learning as well as online delivery of services increased the demand for software developers in different industries. Businesses have had to re-evaluate their priorities and operations to provide innovative and often technology-embedded products and services. The Hong Kong government identified the information technology industry as a priority industry for development. The pandemic elevates the demand for information and communications technology talents. A two-year Applied Learning course titled “Tech Basic” was developed as an initiative to nurture information and communications technology talent among high school students in Hong Kong. The Applied Learning course has the unique feature of bringing together secondary schools, university, and industry partners in its curriculum design and program delivery. Students participated in career exploration activities. The teachers of the participating schools enjoyed professional development opportunities. The paper is a case study providing updated information on its course contents, teaching and learning, and out-of-classroom activities among students. It explains the different roles of secondary schools, higher education institute, and industry partners. The impact on the first cohort of about 120 students was evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively, and those results are presented. Altogether, 101, 95, and 59 students participated in the student self-assessment survey at the end of forms 4, 5, and 6. Feedback from secondary school teachers and mentors from the industry is analyzed. Recommendations for improvement and future development are discussed.