Teaching development grants final and financial report: The enhancement of learning outcomes and motivation using graphic novels in course materials development: A validation study

With the implementation of the new 3-3-4 system, first year HKIED students are required to study an array of General Education and co-curricular learning courses. To learn and master a diversity of subject-matters in a short period of time is very challenge, especially to students who are with weak English background and taking EMI courses. As textual format is dominant in course materials, the success of learning is largely determined by students’ language and reading proficiency (Thomas & Mckay, 2010). To promote effective learning and minimize the confounding effect of language proficiency on learning, we propose the use of graphic novel (also known as comics) techniques in developing course materials. In this project, we will evaluate the pedagogical value of graphic novel using the subject pool of the BEd core course ‘Basic Psychology for Educators’ which has a huge enrollment of students from various faculties. First, teaching staff and second year students from the department of Psychology Studies will work with student artists to create a set of innovative course materials with the use of graphic novel. Next, we will conduct a randomized-controlled-trial experiment to evaluate the effect of graphic novels on learning outcomes and motivation. Moreover, we will conduct a series of interviews to collect opinions from teaching staff and students on the use of graphic novel. The results and the innovative teaching materials will be disseminated through various outlets such as seminars, exhibitions, conferences and publications.