Promoting Critical and Innovative Thinking Ability in Ageing Policies in Hong Kong and Other Ageing Societies: the Application of the Design Thinking Model

Abstract

The PI has been offering the course "GE2226 Ageing Society: Hong Kong and Beyond" since 2011. She observed that students tend to encounter great difficulty in mastering and applying knowledge in critical policy analysis. On the other hand, critical and innovative thinking ability in relation to major policy issues is a critical competence for young leaders. This Project aims at promoting students' critical and innovative thinking ability through the application of the Design Thinking Model in designing and developing student-centered, interactive and multi-disciplinary teaching and learning method and materials on major public policies concerning older people in Hong Kong and in other ageing societies. The ageing policies include housing policy, social welfare policy, long term care policy, medical and health policy, as well as social security policy, etc. The Project deliverables consist of (a) a set of multi-disciplinary, discovery-enriched teaching and learning portfolio including teaching plans, powerpoints, in-class activities, worksheets, case studies, online information, and references; (b) a group project manual on aging policy which also provides a template for innovative policy proposal; (c) a set of assessment tool; (d) policy proposals prepared by students which are innovative and carry great societal impacts on the wellbeing of the elderly. All these deliverables will enhance students' ownership in policy analysis, and facilitate creative policy formulation.