I recognise students’ raw talent, curiosity and restlessness, then aim to create a learning
environment that fosters self-discovery, synthesis of knowledge and effective communication.
”
Dr Christopher MCMORRAN
PhD, MA (University of Colorado Boulder); BA (Central College, Iowa)
Department of Japanese Studies
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- Field studies in Japan
- Home
- Introduction to Japanese studies
- Japanese political economy
- Successfully achieved intended learning
outcomes of encouraging self-discovery,
synthesis of knowledge and effective
communication, while developing skills and
knowledge that transcend the discipline of
Japanese Studies
- Selectively incorporated innovative techniques
targeted to reach the desired learning
outcomes, including flipped lectures, in-class
student response systems, online collaborative
research tools, peer review, role play and field-based
learning, among others
- Principal Investigator for a Centre for
Development of Teaching & Learning Teaching
Enhancement Grant project on the impact of
grade-free learning, stimulated by the
University’s implementation of the grade-free
system
- Engaging, passionate teaching style that connects extremely well with students
- Versatile educator who uses different teaching
activities such as lecture-tutorial format, small group seminars, student response systems and
fieldwork to cater for high and low student enrolment
- Generously shares with colleagues across
faculties his experiences of using student
response systems, preparing students for
fieldwork, incorporating technology-enhanced
collaborative learning and integrating peer
review into undergraduate writing
- Reflective educator who is always honing his
craft and making contributions beyond NUS through research publications on the
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)
- Published 18 (and two forthcoming) journal articles, book chapters and book reviews,
including eight pieces related to SoTL
- Co-edited Teaching Japanese Popular Culture (with Assoc Prof Deborah Shamoon)
- Presented seven papers on SoTL at international academic conferences, including annual meetings of the American Association of Geographers and the Association for Asian Studies
- Contributed articles on teaching to university publications
- Reviewer for journals in Geography, Japanese
Studies and SoTL, including Area, Journal of
Geography in Higher Education, Education
About Asia, Mobilities, Social Science Japan
Journal, Transactions of the Institute of British
Geographers and Tourism Geographies
- Co-organised Teaching Japanese Popular Culture conference in 2012
- Annual Teaching Excellence Award Honour Roll, NUS (2016 - 2020)
- Annual Teaching Excellence Award, NUS (2013/14, 2012/13, 2011/12)
- Faculty Teaching Excellence Award, NUS Arts and Social Sciences (2015/16, 2013/14, 2012/13, 2011/12)
- Innovation Award, NUS Arts and Social Sciences (2011/12)
- Secured over $200,000 in external funding to offset student expenses for field studies in Japan module
"I do not want students to feel free to participate
in the co-production of knowledge; I want to create spaces and opportunities in which they
feel an obligation to do so. Self-learners are lifelong learners."