Abstract:
This project served to support the development of outcome-based education for the Institute. It aimed to develop a draft of Learning Outcomes specific to the Department of Curriculum and Instruction (C&I), through a systematically planned processes which involves a series of research-based empirical studies:
Compiling relevant C&I learning outcomes/objectives from the existing module outlines;
Conducting a series of Delphi studies to identify C&I Subject Outcomes, through a coding and re-coding processes;
Deploying a survey to all C&I staff members & the final year graduates to determine their perception of the derived Subject Outcomes, by rating the importance of the Outcomes in a 5-point rating scale;
checking the preliminarily developed C&I Subject Learning Outcomes (SLO) against the generic skills components and outcome based framework of the Institute in the research processes;
Modifying the C&I Outcomes based on the results of the survey analysis;
Publishing and disseminating the outcomes of the project widely to share the lessons learnt with the higher education community
Code:
T0064
Principal Project Supervisors:
Keywords provided by authors:
Start Date:
01 Dec 2009
End Date:
30 Apr 2011
Status:
Completed
Result:
The project developed a methodology of identifying SLO through experimentation. It included a series of research grounded practice by Delphi studies, curriculum mapping exercises, collection of views of stakeholders’ (students and teachers) and deliberative dialogues. It specified the procedural requirements and a set of research tools for studying outcome-based education, based on an academic department in a teacher education institution that lays their focus on curriculum and instruction.
The SLOs of C&I were produced as a result which includes: Teacher Professionalism (TP), Student-centred Pedagogical Practices (PP), Assessment and Evaluation (AE), Curriculum Planning (CP), and Curriculum Theory and Knowledge (CK). The courses of the Department were reviewed that converged to these SLOs, implications to development of courses and the department’s specialism were discussed to guide future development.
The deliberative process of identifying SLOs for C&I ended up with some concerns of the negotiation of views among academics, in which cultural differences, personal philosophies and professional orientation, as well as a sufficient period of discussion were identified as the key considerations in reaching consensus of a set of SLOs that fairly addressed the views of participants.
In practice, the project served as an effective means of mobilizing colleagues of the Department to look for our own SLOs that represent the strength of Curriculum and Instruction. It promoted collaboration among members and suggested a focused direction to engage members that benefits their development in this academic home.
Impact:
The project made the following impacts:
The tools and instruments, research procedures that disseminated through the project for identifying SLOs appeared to be an important references at the department level, including Delphi study instruction and operation, a survey to staff and students, protocols of curriculum mapping procedures and analysis. They are useful tools for promoting curriculum, learning, teaching and assessment in higher education.
The project was presented in a successive of departmental conferences in the period of 2010 to 2012, the list of espouse subject outcomes identified from the project were considered as important references for course and programme design of the Department of C&I. The relative importance of the identified espoused subject outcomes was observed from the views of both students and faculty members which were especially useful for considering the course planning of the department.
The unique status of ‘curriculum and instruction’ as an important component in teacher education was validated through this empirical study.
The process of working out the subject learning outcomes of the Department was shared at the institute level as reference for other academic departments. It was recognized as an important research tool for studying students’ expectations on learning and department’s valued teaching goals and closing the gap between them. The instruments and the procedural requirements can be utilized to support the quality assurance policy of the institute and other higher education institutions.
The two journals which published the project findings have received a high citation rate since it is issued. As a whole, the outcomes of the project demonstrate a few contributions which is of importance in the field of teaching, assessment and evaluation, and teacher education.
Deliverables:
Lam, B. H., Tsui, K. T., Brown, G., Deneen, C., & Yan, H. F. (2010, June). Developing C&I Subject Outcomes through Whole Department Participation. Paper presented at the C&I Departmental Annual Conference, Taipa, Macau https://repository.eduhk.hk/en/publications/7757ab97-2a76-4f4e-ab52-8ebe4c14e73a
Lam, B. H., Brown, G., Tsui, K. T., & Deneen, C. (2010, Dec). A Method of Developing Learning Outcomes that Involves Students' and Teachers' Participation. Paper presented at the 2nd East Asian International Conference on Teacher Education Research, Hong Kong. https://repository.eduhk.hk/en/publications/b1368ed5-2f0b-4549-8af6-c110befcc4a0
Lam, B. H., Tsui, K. T., Brown, G., & Deneen, C. (2011, June). A Mapping of the Espoused Subject Outcomes and Enacted Course Delivery of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Paper presented at the Departmental Conference of the Department of Curriculum and Curriculum, Hong Kong. https://repository.eduhk.hk/en/publications/c18b33ca-ed68-478e-ace9-0fc2...
A presentation on "Developing C&I Subject Outcomes through Whole Department Participation", in the UGC Consultant Visit on 13 June 2011. https://repository.eduhk.hk/en/publications/4157901e-62d8-4122-b5a3-7d1264c65d1e
Lam, B. H., & Tsui, K. T. (2012, February). Studying Subject Learning Outcomes and Methods to Ensure Effective OBL Implementation. Paper presented at the OBL Dissemination Series: Seminar, Hong Kong.
Lam, B. H., & Tsui, K. T. (2012, May). Developing C&I Subject Outcomes through Whole Department Participation. Poster displayed at OBL Dissimination Series: E-poster Session, Hong Kong.
Lam, B.H., & Tsui, K.T. (2016). Curriculum mapping as deliberation – examining the alignment of subject learning outcomes and course curricula. Studies in Higher Education, 41(8), 1371-1388. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03075079.2014.968539
Lam, B. H., & Tsui, K. T. (2013). Examining the Alignment of Subject Learning Outcomes and Course Curricula Through Curriculum Mapping. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 38(12), 97-119. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1016003.pdf
Financial Year:
2009-10
Type:
TDG