Collaborative Teaching Enhances Learning and Teaching

　　Several years ago, two colleagues in the Practical Theology division resigned. Since 2012-13, I have been assigned to lecture on “Pastoral Leadership and Ministry” in the Master of Divinity program. Then, since 2014-15, I have been also assigned to teach “Pastoral Care and Counseling” in the same program. My co-teacher for the former is our seminary Chaplain, Rev. Brian Lam, and for the latter the veteran professional counselor, Mr. Daniel Chu.

　　“Pastoral Care and Counseling” is composed of Parts I and II and runs for two consecutive semesters. The contents of this course for the first and second semesters are clearly laid out. I lecture on the theories and practices of pastoral care in the first semester, and Mr. Daniel Chu teaches the theories and practices of counseling in the second semester; that way we can teach independently. However, in the past three years, I started attending Mr. Chu’s classes together with the students. On the one hand, I could share my personal experience on pastoral counseling, and respond to students’ questions and difficulties in terms of pastoral care. On the other hand, I could also raise realistic issues encountered in pastoral counseling to stimulate their thoughts and imagination.

　　As for “Pastoral Leadership and Ministry,” since Rev. Lam and I are each responsible for teaching different topics, there is no need to be lecturing together. Still, both of us would attend the sessions for students’ group reading reports or group project presentations, providing constructive criticism and responding to the students’ researches. Therefore, although this period of time may be challenging to the students, it is this experience that matures them and hones their skills.

　　Team teaching can be conducted in different forms and ways; it can either be having the presence of both teachers freely expressing their opinions, or each of them responsible for specific topics so that there are less opportunities for mutual interaction. I have some experience in both situations, since I have taught separately from Mr. Chu and Rev. Lam, yet had the chance to be in the same class with them, freely questioning and responding. This kind of interaction is beneficial to the students since they can learn from the different perspectives and experiences of different teachers, and get to know that even the teachers can have opposite points of view.

　　I personally have also benefited from this team teaching experience. Both my co-teachers are highly educated and specialized, and their knowledge, points of view and experience for certain topics are both professional and unique; they make up for my shortcomings, and also widen my horizon. Lastly, having the two of us, of course, means the workload can be shared.