History Department Response to Student Feedback
HSTY2622 The Opium Wars in Chna (1839-1860) (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 outline provided clearly detailed the course in a simple and effective manner. (BA/BSc)
2. Enjoyable subject matter; interesting readings. (B Econ/Social Sciences)
3. In the course outline: Well outlined and the check list made it easy to determine what was needed. (BA)
4. It has an interesting topic at its core, which attracts those who love history like myself. (BA)
5. I enjoyed researching and developing the idea that events have effects that can affect the nation long after they are over. (BA)
6. Wong! Making this subject a constant source of fun and inventiveness. (BA/Commerce)
7. A good perspective on the Chinese furnished by in-depth learning about Sino-Western r elations that I would have never looked into otherwise.
8. The topic itself is fascinating and deserves extensive study. (BA/LLB)
9. Interesting articles and readings. (BA)
10. Good choice of readings. (BA)
11. The reader was very informative and provided various explanations. (BAII)
12. The content was very interesting and relevant and its presentation was easily understood. (BA)
13. I thought the lectures and tutorials were all very structured. The UoS outline was also very detailed with a specific question tailored for every tutorial. (BA)

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 can help students along so that they can see they are improving during the course, their morale will improve. 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. Engaging and student-centred tutorials. BA.
2. Innovative teaching and support. (International and Liberal Studies)
3. The focus on the condensing of ideas has been very helpful in my writing of essays. (International Studies)
4. Professor Wong has a very original teaching style that was a model. The focus was not to convince so much as to provide the student with the analytical skills to interpret facts themselves. (Non Award)
5. Professor Wong’s attitude to focus was inspiring. (BA)
6. Being encouraged to think differently. (BA)
7. Very concise teaching method and a clear and beneficial learning/teaching approach. (Arts and Science)
8. The assessments were good; weekly student tutorial presentations were extremely helpful. (BA)
9. Really was an inspiration to do better effort next semester. (BA)
10. Dr Wong’s feedback. BA)
11. Course reader – structured tutorials. (Bed/BA)
12. Tutorial presentations were good. (BA/LLB)
13. Well-organised and clear. (BA)
14. The tutorials were the most important aspects of the course. They opened/facilitated group discussions. (BAII)

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. Range of views presented in readings and discussed in tutorials/lectures. (BA Advanced)
2. I feel that my skills with regards to critical analysis were greatly improved as a result of the course. (B Social Science)
3. We were pushed to look beyond simply the Opium War itself but to concepts surrounding it and historians’ perspectives. (BA)
4. The tutorials and group presentations allowed for sharing of workload and opportunity to hear other people’s detailed viewpoints. (BA)
5. Good to encourage making your own decisions. (BA/LLB)
6. A wide range of sources were utilised throughout the course … It also enhanced my skills of analysis. (BA and BSc)
7. Critical thinking, historical debate, in-depth study. (BA)
8. Dr Wong and his applicable teaching style. (International Studies)
9. Critical thinking that you learn. How to deconstruct an argument; find its strengths and weaknesses. (BA)
10. That strong focus on critical thinking and asking why? Professor Wong. It was pertinent and succinct. (BA/LLB)
11. Very stimulating. I learned to think critically and in a whole new way than I had before. (BA)
12. The way Wong did not spoon-feed us but enable us to think for ourselves and develop our minds and research skills. (BA/LLB)
13. Wong’s focus on critical thinking and heightened learning techniques helped me not just with this unit but my other ones as well. (BA)
14. I have never been pushed so hard by a teacher before to think critically and individually. Professor Wong encouraged us to think critically rather than just narrate historical events, this has not been so forced upon me before, it was very helpful. (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. 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 focus on developing skills which are valuable not only as a historian but transferrable to other studies and post-study life! Critical thinking, confident speaking, discussion, etc. the opportunities for the development of these skills were plentiful, and were a focus in tutorials and lectures. (B Econ and Social Science)
2. Wong’s approach to teaching and demonstrating how historical events studied are relevant today. Also his emphasis on gaining skills for after university and employment. (B Social Sciences)
3. Wong’s stress on post uni stuff actually makes sense after a while. (BA)
4. I thought it was great; the amount of relation of course to present issues, in society/the world/politics. Thanks Wong! (BA)
5. Wong teaches beyond basic subject matter to enhance our overall skills – found this beneficial. (BA)
6. Wong’s perspectives on the course were not just academic but also real life experiences. (BA)
7. The approach to developing skills that will assist students in the real world. (B Social Science)
8. Applying to the real world practices – e.g. no late essays. (International Studies)
9. Workplace skills – orientation. Lots of feedback, communication. (BA)

There was one student who did not respond the way I had expected. I wish I could find a way to help this student respond, such as speaking to this student personally; but since the surveys were anonymous, there is no way of doing so:

1. Professor Wong is very dedicated – I just don’t respond to his teaching methods. (BA)

For those who did respond, their praises are high:

1. The lecturer is amazing and I felt honoured to have had him. (BA/BSc)
2. I thought it was great; the amount of relation of course to present issues, in society/the world/politics. Thanks Wong! (BA)
3. Dr Wong’s unique point of view. It adds to understanding Chinese culture now and then. (BA)
4. Professor Wong is an enlightening character. I suggest he be given a nice bonus in his pay packet this year. (BA/LLB)
5. Extensive materials, lots of useful talk linking the subject on real world events, and lecture was very intelligent on the subject, encouragement of students to be skeptical about scholars was very liberal for a Chinese background professor! (BA)
6. One of the best units and lectures I have had. (BA)
7. I liked Wong’s teaching style, feedback great. Discussions, assessment format good! Overall great course. (B Social Sciences)

94 students did the survey. The overall satisfaction rate was 77%.