Guide to Capstone Modification | Teaching and Learning Centre, Lingnan University

The capstone course is a pivotal component of undergraduate and postgraduate education, where students integrate and apply their accumulated knowledge through significant, authentic projects. Recognised by the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AACU, 2023) as a bridge between academic study and professional life, capstones in Hong Kong are further shaped by the Outcome-based Approaches to Teaching and Learning (OBATL), which emphasise intellectual capabilities, core values, and practical knowledge application. This makes the capstone an essential graduate requirement (Chan et al., 2017).

However, the rapid advancement of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) challenges traditional capstone designs that focus heavily on discipline-specific knowledge and writing-intensive assessments. This disruption calls for a strategic curriculum redesign that not only maintains academic rigour but also fosters AI literacy and ethical engagement with GenAI. By prioritising interdisciplinary learning, hands-on activities, and process-based assessments, contemporary capstones can better prepare graduates for a complex, AI-driven world. This guide offers theoretical insights and practical strategies for effectively modifying capstone courses to meet these evolving demands.