Guiding Students Through Real-World Learning
“The problem is not the absence of structure, but that the structure is not suited to the messiness of the task.” - Dr Hsin-Ning Yong
The Tide Pool is my approach to helping students think for themselves in real-world complexity. It combines structured guidance with space for meta-thinking: questioning assumptions, reframing problems, and handling ambiguity. Like its natural namesake, it is a safe yet dynamic space where students can explore and learn deeply.
These chapters are work-in-progress, drawn from my field notes, past teaching award submissions, and a Faculty Spotlight interview [1]. I am sharing them here as I refine the book in public and invite feedback. There will be ten chapters in total, which I'll be releasing progressively here as each one is ready. Each chapter includes one of my own travel photos, chosen to reflect its theme and share how I see the world.
[1] Sources of ten chapters: These initial chapters are based on my personal field notes, and the following past award nomination documents and interview:
- 2021 SMU-X Excellent Teacher Award Nomination
- 2022 Outstanding Adjunct Award Nomination
- 2023 SMU-X Excellent Teacher Award Nomination
- 2024 Faculty Spotlight Series Interview with SMU Centre for Teaching Excellence (CTE)
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If something here sparked a thought, 📩 Drop me a note. I would love to hear from you.