Classroom beginner turns exemplary educator
From analysing data to nurturing real estate talent, Dr Ervi Liusman has transformed from a classroom beginner to a beloved educator as well as the recipient of the Vice-Chancellor’s Exemplary Teaching Award 2022. Her success springs from empathy, innovation and a vision for cultivating adaptable, sophisticated leaders who are ready for tomorrow’s world.
Dr Ervi Liusman vividly recalls her first day in the classroom: “I was gripping the edge of the table the whole time, trying to steady myself as I stood in front of the students. I was nervous about whether I could be an effective teacher and if there would be a generational gap between myself and the Millennials.”
An Indonesian native, Dr Liusman joined the School of Hotel and Tourism Management of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Business School after dedicating the early part of her career to industrial and academic research. While she found fulfilment in uncovering insights through data analysis, the solitary nature of working in research led her to seek a role with more human interaction. A position at CUHK teaching real estate and shopping mall management offered the change she desired. What she did not anticipate, however, were the challenges that came with it.
Like many new educators, Dr Liusman followed the conventional path of classroom instruction – lectures. Yet, the results were disheartening. “The first year was a disaster,” she admits. “As I was explaining concepts like central place theory and bid rent theory, I noticed the students weren’t listening; many were distracted by their mobile devices. One time, loud laughter erupted in the class as the students chatted among themselves. It was unsettling.”
Dr Liusman confidently leading a dynamic classroom discussion, engaging students with her interactive and innovative teaching style.
From First-Day Jitters to Classroom Excellence
Determined to improve, Dr Liusman immersed herself in teaching and learning research. She attended workshops organised by the Centre for Learning Enhancement And Research (CLEAR) and CUHK Business School, gaining fresh ideas on how to enhance her approach. “I knew I needed to create an exciting learning environment and help my students connect theories with real-world applications so they can better understand abstract concepts.”
Recognising that first-hand exposure can bring theories to life, Dr Liusman introduced field trips to her classes. “In my Real Estate Economics class, I take my students on walks from Central to Causeway Bay to see location theory in action across Hong Kong’s commercial real estate landscape. This hands-on approach not only helps the students grasp complex theories, but it also sharpens their observation skills and spatial awareness – skills crucial for their future careers in real estate.”
Encouraged by the success of these field trips, Dr Liusman explored other experiential learning opportunities. To explain the intricacies of space (rental) markets and asset (investment) markets, she turned to an “anti-monopoly” board game. “I use this board game, which has different rules from the classic Monopoly. This way, the students can experience the perspective of landlords – buying land, building houses and leasing them to tenants to receive rental income as their investment return. It’s proven to be quite popular among the students.”
Dr Liusman also harnessed the power of interactivity to increase engagement and garnered enthusiasm from students. She began using online apps such as uReply, Slido, Kahoot and Mural to engage students in discussions and quizzes. Additionally, she produced short, animated videos for flipped classroom teaching. Gone are the days when her lectures were ignored. Now, the end of each semester invariably turns into a bittersweet “farewell moment”, with students fondly recounting memorable experiences from her classes. Her engaging teaching style has also fostered lasting connections. “The relationships I built with my students are precious. They inspire me to be a better teacher, and I’ve discovered that teaching brings more joy to me than I ever expected.”
Each semester ends with a bittersweet farewell, as students eagerly gather for photos with Dr Liusman to cherish the unforgettable experiences from her classes.
Adapting to Adversity: Innovation in Education
But just as Dr Liusman found her stride, COVID-19 put a halt to the field trips, board games and in-class interactions she had so diligently cultivated. The switch from the classroom to Zoom also necessitated swift adjustments to her teaching. True to her innovative spirit, Dr Liusman turned this challenge into an opportunity. She began exploring virtual reality (VR) for virtual field trips. “Because of COVID, I had the opportunity to contribute to CUHK’s early VR teaching initiatives to ensure my students’ learning experiences weren’t compromised.” This endeavour not only maintained the quality of her students’ learning, but it also opened up new possibilities in experiential education, which she often shares with fellow teachers who were interested in incorporating VR into their own teaching.
VR technology became essential in Dr Liusman’s lessons during the COVID pandemic, ensuring that students’ learning experiences remained robust and engaging.
Exemplary Teaching Earns Top Honour
Dr Liusman’s dedication to teaching excellence did not go unnoticed. In 2022, she was awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Exemplary Teaching Award, distinguishing herself as the sole recipient from the Business School. This accolade is one of the highest recognitions of teaching achievements in the CUHK community and embodies the university’s commitment to quality education.
Dr Liusman proudly receiving the Vice-Chancellor’s Exemplary Teaching Award from Professor Rocky S. Tuan, CUHK Vice-Chancellor, a testament to her dedication and excellence in teaching.
For Dr Liusman, the award represents more than personal recognition. It also validates her teaching philosophy: “Students are not just tomorrow’s leaders but also sophisticated individuals. They need exciting, stimulating learning environments to develop their own interests, problem-solving skills and, ultimately, their own value systems. My approach is to train my students to be open-minded, creative and insightful, which aligns with CUHK’s core values of openness and civility.”
Navigating AI in Education
This forward-thinking approach to education is becoming increasingly crucial as AI transforms the world, reshaping how students learn and work. “While AI can personalise learning based on students’ requirements and significantly increase learning speed, it also challenges us to redefine what it means to be educated. In an AI-driven world, the ability to ask insightful questions may become more valuable than having an abundance of information and quick answers.”
In light of these changes, Dr Liusman advocates for a shift in educating future business talent. She asserts, “Students need to grasp the root causes of problems, critically evaluate existing solutions and explore alternatives. They need to be able to connect the dots and develop their own problem-solving skills for various challenges.” This approach, she believes, will nurture not only capable business leaders, but also thoughtful, engaged citizens who are equipped to adapt, innovate and thrive in the AI era.
