History Department Response to Student Feedback
HSTY2621 China's Economy: From Mao to Market (2010)

Unit Coordinator: Dr John Wong
Semester 2, 2010.

My first object was to make it easy and interesting for students to learn. I am pleased with student feedback like the following to Q1 Learning outcomes were clear and Q 12 Overall I was satisfied with the quality of this unit of study:

1. The syllabus and instructions were clear on their own; but subsequent reminders were given, and questions answered as they arose. (Study Abroad)
2. The lecturer puts in a huge amount of effort into the course work and fine details. (BA)
3. The content – a brief explanation of the past and current issue of Chinese civilization and economies. (BA)
4. I really enjoyed the materials presented in this unit of study. I find that what I learnt was very applicable to today’s issues. (B Commerce BA)
5. I mostly liked that the course focused on current issues facing not only China but Australia and the world. It was interactive and more relevant to my degree instead of just studying history. (B Social Sciences)
6. I really enjoyed it because the content was interesting. (BA)
7. The subject matter was interesting and the way it was taught motivated me to learn said subject matter. (BA)
8. Professor Wong and his lessons are succinct and pertinent work. (B International Studies)
9. This course was an eye-opener into Chinese History. (BA)
10. The lectures were clear and easy to understand; they went into details but didn’t drag on. (Arts)
11. Subject matter and relevance. (Bachelor of International and Global Studies)
12. Professor Wong’s ability to command an audience – a pleasure to listen to. (Bachelor of International and Global Studies)
13. Professor Wong has a very unique style/delivery of his lectures. Obviously has a lot of knowledge/firsthand experience which is very interesting/illuminating/different perspectives. Guest speakers also good. (B Commerce/BA)
14. Wong’s pragmatism, organisation and knowledge are beneficial. Reader very good. (BA/BSc)

My second step was to teach students how to do well, to begin with. Simply giving a mark at the end of semester is passive; but if I might help students along so that they could see they were improving as the course progressed, their morale would be lifted. I am glad with student comments, like the following, on Q2 The teaching in this unit of study helped me to learn effectively and Q 12 Overall I was satisfied with the quality of this unit of study:

1. I liked the discipline Professor Wong applied to his teaching methodology. He brought out the best in me and made me want to research more about China. (BA)
2. The novelty of Wong’s teaching method. (BA)
3. We were allowed to learn freely, and had the option of creating our own essay topics. Freedom to think outside the box was a good aspect of the course. (Study Abroad)
4. Enthusiasm/passion of the lecturer for the course work and for his interest in it benefitting his students’ overall learning objectives. (BA)
5. He gives many feedbacks and is helpful. (BA)
6. An original and refreshing approach to learning. (B Econ and Social Sciences)
7. Unusual and interesting perspective on modern Chinese history. (BA)
8. Good discussion. (BA)
9. Professor Wong’s personal understanding of the topic, and passion for his subject. (BA)
10. Wong encouraged and fostered our learning and provided ample opportunity for feedback and demonstration of our knowledge. (BA)
11. The practical emphasis on positive attitudes, being succinct and pertinent. (BA/BEcon)
12. The professor wants to be fair to every student, and goes out of his way to do so. (Arts)
13. Motivated studies. (BA Social Sciences)

My third step was to nurture critical thinking and independent judgment. Heroically very many students rose up to the challenge, as reflected in comments, like the following, on Q 12 Overall I was satisfied with the quality of this unit of study:

1. Independent thinking; firm marking criteria and relevance of the course to contemporary society. (Liberal Studies)
2. Encouraging greater self-learning and research. (Bed/BA)
3. Emphasis on critical thinking – the Great Wong. (BA)
4. An emphasis on an independent approach to learning rather than simply feeding large tracts of information. (Arts)
5. Did encourage alternative viewpoints. (B Econ and Social Sciences)
6. Professor John Wong’s emphasis on critical thinking was very refreshing from courses based on absorbing information. Guest speakers were great. (BA Advanced Hons)
7. Students are encouraged by the lecturer to think with different perspective, a vital skill for our understanding and critical thinking of everyday matters. (BA)
8. Guest lecturers throughout the semester. Essays – first time to realise how important the word-limit is, seriously. (BA)
9. Emphasis on broad Chinese history, including the current state of China was illuminating and stimulating the use of a wide variety of guest lecturers also provided fresh insight and alternative views. (BA)

My ultimate goal was to nurture talents for Australia, endowing students with skills which would put them on the path to a successful career in the real world. Apart from making a personal effort in this respect, I also invited a range of guest speakers to tell their success stories. Students responded enthusiastically. The following are some answers to Q 12 Overall I was satisfied with the quality of this unit of study:

1. The best aspect of this unit of study was Professor Wong’s teaching style. It made a very nice change from the dispassionate and slack approach of so many of this institution’s other employees. I very much enjoyed how much effort and original thought Professor Wong put into the content of this course. Rather than much of the standardized dribble that is given in so many other courses. I shall carry the lessons learnt into future studies/life. (B International Studies).
2. Course directed to stimulate thinking beyond an analysis of text into a broader contemporary understanding of society. (BA III)
3. The thought-provoking nature of the tutorial topics, as well as the relevance of the course in providing information that is pertinent to Australia with regard to its development with China in the coming years. (B Commerce B Liberal Studies)
4. Professor Wong made us aware of different ideas and definitely gave us some sound advice about history, morals and work ethics. (BA)
5. Great teacher and great variety of interesting and qualified guest speakers, e.g. US State Department Rep. (BA)
6. Student participation/interaction and opportunities to meet professionals as guest speakers (B Commerce B Arts)
7. Emphasis on broad Chinese history, including the current state of China was illuminating and stimulating the use of a wide variety of guest lecturers also provided fresh insight and alternative views. (BA)

There were some complaints about my not spoon-feeding students. I feel that to stimulate critical thinking and to spoon-feed are diametrically opposed to each other. I wish I could find a way to help these students, such as speaking to them personally; but since the surveys were anonymous, there was no way of doing so:

1. I found the teaching in this unit frustrating. While Professor Wong is passionate about the unit, not enough information was provided. (Arts Media and Communications)
2. Mr Wong is incredibly knowledgeable and the manner in which class discussions was fostered was helpful. However not a great deal of Mr Wong’s knowledge was passed on. (Unspecified)
3. The lecture should have more information on it. (BA)

For those who responded to my approach, their answers to Q 12 Overall I was satisfied with the quality of this unit of study were touching:

1. Definitely – it has been a different, extremely worthwhile experience, expanding one’s mind working with Professor Wong. (BA)
2. The novelty of Wong’s teaching method. (BA)
3. Wong is the best teacher I’ve had at Usyd. His style is unlike others and for that reason his qualities are immediately obvious. He is one of the very few that encourages genuine critical engagement with and among students. (International Studies)
4. Professor Wong’s attitude towards education and his commitment to his students’ learning was outstanding. (Arts)
5. Without a doubt, this is the course that wakes me up. (BA)
6. Professor Wong made a stunning example of the complexities of the Diaspora population and the uneasy fusion of Western and Eastern education. (Unspecified)
7. Professor Wong is a very astute and knowledgeable man who I have great respect for. (B Social Studies).
8. Good energetic teacher. (International Student)
9. One of the greatest classes I’ve ever taken. (B International Studies)

85 students did the survey. The overall satisfaction rate was 72%.