Bridging the Elaboration Gap: AI-Mediated Blended Learning for SBA and DSE Speaking Success

Jun 17
2 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

Ms Cheung Wai Shan (Chief Assistant Principal) and Mr Eric Chan (English Teacher) from Lock Tao Secondary School shared their strategies for helping DSE students move beyond repetitive, "safe" responses and develop deeper critical thinking and elaboration skills. They identified common student barriers, including circular arguments driven by the fear of making mistakes, as well as teacher resistance to AI due to concerns about losing their role as knowledge authorities.

Using a flipped classroom approach with AI chatbots, the Ms Cheung and Mr Chan helped to prepare students for lessons by providing pre-reading materials and chatbot interactions. This approach freed up classroom time for higher-order thinking activities such as comparison, exploration, and creation. They also addressed some challenges, including time constraints in a packed DSE syllabus and "AI-phobia" among teachers unfamiliar with prompting. As a result of their experience, they recommended that teachers increasingly identify as facilitators or coaches of language learning rather than as knowledge experts and providers only.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLhkWunBB58

View their presentation slides here: Ms Cheung & Eric's Presentation Slides.pdf

Outline of the Breakout Session:

Bridging the Elaboration Gap: AI-Mediated Blended Learning for SBA and DSE Speaking Success

Speakers: Ms Cheung Wai Shan & Mr Eric Chan

00:00 – 07:42 Challenges in DSE & SBA speaking assessments

07:42 – 17:49 Using a flipped classroom approach with AI

17:49 – 25:17 Fostering higher-order thinking in three levels

25:17 – 32:31 Strategy 1: “Deconstruction” for elaboration

32:31 – 38:08 Strategy 2: Collaboration for motivation and creativity

38:08 – 40:27 Facing the difficulties with your colleagues

40:27 – 42:05 Final reflection