Abstract:
This project is an active response to a learning environment where assessment is not only confined by subject domain knowledge but also its application. In such an environment, students often engage in inquiries into, and problem solving of, discipline-related scenarios. In the process, they put their subject domain knowledge to test, and develop generic competencies. Using self-assessment and peer review in addition to feedback provided by teachers as a vehicle, the project serves to (i) examine the inter-relatedness of summative assessment and formative assessment; (ii) develop rubrics that show adequate concerns on learning processes and metacognitive skills development; (iii) examine how students advance the feedback loop in the enhancement of their constructivist and progressive learning; (iv) facilitates continuous assessment backed up by academic integrity; and (v) examines the motivation required to make a transition to alternative assessments. A mixed methods approach comprising quantitative and qualitative methodologies will be used. Students will be engaged in the assessment design and delivery processes. A group of External Consultants will also be engaged to advise on multifaceted and interlinked issues in assessment. It is hoped that the outcomes of this project will lead to more widespread implementation of alternative assessment at the course level.
Code:
T0236
Principal Project Supervisors:
- KONG, Siu Cheung
- LEE, Chi Kin John
- YU, Kwan Wai Eric
- HUI, King Fai Sammy
- CHEUK-WONG, Kwok Sai Tricia
Keywords provided by authors:
Start Date:
06 Jul 2020
End Date:
05 Jul 2022
Status:
Completed
Result:
The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) and Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) have been jointly organising a series of events on alternative/ authentic assessment since July 2020. Thus far, 320 teachers participated in sharing sessions and seminars that focused on how an alternative/ authentic assessment should be designed, and how technology tools can facilitate the implementation of an alternative/ authentic assessment. The approaches covered include e-portfolio, video presentation, peer-review, in-class discussion facilitated by interactive whiteboard online, quizzes on media resources etc. Annually in the Summer, the two universities also convened at the “Advanced Study Institute” for keynote seminars and workshops. These events were joined by 500 participants. From the cases shared and expert advice heard, it was found that technology tools should only take an assistant role in facilitating teaching and learning. Good use of them should translate into better achievement of learning outcomes, and a manageable and meaningful workload on both the instructors’ and students’ parts. As the project proceeds, the team has gradually involved more students in understanding their needs on assessment and feedback. An institution-wide survey was conducted in July 2021, involving 113 students. Results revealed that students’ perception of the variety and content of assessment, as well as assessment tools and support from Academic/ Teaching is significantly correlated with their attitude towards alternative assessment and their learning behaviour.
Impact:
Looking to the future at post-COVID times, the University is experiencing a paradigm shift to a new assessment model which focuses on authenticity. Thus far, our collaboration with HKBU has explored innovative assessment approaches among courses. The cases collected under this project were disseminated widely through sharing sessions, international conferences, as well as a compendium edited by two renowned experts in the field. To-date, the compendium was downloaded over 330 times. The impact result also went beyond course level – the project has accelerated the development of EdUHK’s Guidelines for Alternative Assessment in August 2020, which addressed not only outcomes-oriented considerations but also “code of behaviour” for students to help them reflect upon their responsibilities in learning that takes place mostly online. The Guidelines serve as an enrichment of the Quality Assurance/ Quality Enhancement mechanism for online learning and teaching. At HKBU, there was also an update on their assessment policy in 2021. In terms of e-learning and education innovation, the cases collected under this project highlighted the role of the Moodle (the central Learning Management System) in easing the administration load of the course instructors, saving their time, and helping them to monitor students’ progress more conveniently. Along this line, the project also prompted discussion on how data collected through the assessment processes can be more systematically analysed for the benefit of better pedagogical decision-making.
Deliverables:
Books/ Book Chapters/ Journal Articles/ Conference Papers
Kong, S. C., Lam, S. S. M., Lam, W. W. M., K. K. M., Lau, Yee, L. T. S., & Yung, S. N. (2021). Four case studies on applying alternative assessments in higher education with technology tools to facilitate teaching and learning, ICERI2021 Proceedings, 8843-8850. (https://repository.eduhk.hk/en/publications/four-case-studies-on-applying-alternative-assessments-in-higher-e-2)
Kwong, T., Lam, W. W. M. & Yee, L. T. S., Cox, D. C., & Li, Y. X. (2020). Alternative assessment in reality [Symposium presentation]. The International Conference on Learning and Teaching 2020. The Education University of Hong Kong. (Number of participants: 63 teachers) (https://repository.eduhk.hk/en/publications/alternative-assessment-in-reality)
Advanced Study Institute Online Symposium: Improving assessment and feedback for our students’ online futures (2021). The Education University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Baptist University. (Number of participants: 201 teachers, 4 students) (https://repository.eduhk.hk/en/publications/advanced-study-institute-online-symposium-improving-assessment-an)
Brown, S. & Sambell, K. (2021). Compendium four: examples from Hong Kong: A further collection of authentic assessment resources collated by Sally Brown and Kay Sambell. (https://sally-brown.net/kay-sambell-and-sally-brown-covid-19-assessment-collection/ ) (https://repository.eduhk.hk/en/publications/compendium-four-examples-from-hong-kong-a-further-collection-of-a)
Seminars/Presentations/Sharing Sessions
(2020, July 6). Advanced Study Institute Inaugural Seminar: A paradigm shift for assessment [Webinar]. The Education University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Baptist University. (Number of participants: 256 teachers) (https://chtl.hkbu.edu.hk/asi/event-inaug.php) (https://repository.eduhk.hk/en/publications/advanced-study-institute-inaugural-seminar-a-paradigm-shift-for-a)
(2020, July 8). Advanced Study Institute Workshops: Towards authenticity in a post-covid world and exploring different assessment using digital technology for support. The Education University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Baptist University. (Number of participants: 39 teachers) (https://chtl.hkbu.edu.hk/asi/event-inaug.php) (https://repository.eduhk.hk/en/publications/advanced-study-institute-workshops-towards-authenticity-in-a-post)
Brown, S. (2020). Seminar on changing assessment for good: Improving post-covid19 assessment in long term. The Education University of Hong Kong. (Number of participants: 62 teachers) (https://repository.eduhk.hk/en/publications/seminar-on-changing-assessment-for-good-improving-post-covid19-as)
Cho, H. O. A., Lee, C. L. J., Chan, K., & Young, A. L. (2021, January 21). Sharing session on motivating students [Webinar]. The Education University of Hong Kong. (Number of participants: 88 teachers) (https://repository.eduhk.hk/en/publications/sharing-on-motivating-students)
Lam, S. M. S., Lau, K. M. K., Cheng, K., & Fung, L. (2021, February 23). Sharing session on teaching outside the “Box”: Re-designing Assessment Methods [Webinar]. The Education University of Hong Kong. (Number of participants: 91 teachers) (https://repository.eduhk.hk/en/publications/sharing-on-teaching-outside-the-box-re-designing-assessment-metho)
Yung, W. H. K., & Lam, R. (2021, May 21). Sharing session on communicating with your students via e-assessment [Webinar]. The Education University of Hong Kong and The Hong Kong Baptist University. (Number of participants: 79 teachers) (https://repository.eduhk.hk/en/publications/sharing-on-communicating-with-your-students-via-e-assessment)
Teaching and Learning Resources/ Materials (including online resources)
EdUHK Learning and Teaching Quality Committee (2020, August). Guilding Principles on Alternative Assessment. (https://repository.eduhk.hk/en/publications/guiding-principles-on-alternative-assessment)
Financial Year:
2020-21
Type:
TDG