Message from Professor Ian Holliday, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning)
Dear colleagues,
As you are aware, assessment is an important vehicle for supporting and guiding student learning. The University has an overarching assessment policy which sets out the philosophy and principles that guide and regulate assessment practices. The key principle is that students should be assessed in an appropriate, fair, rigorous and transparent manner. Solid and timely feedback, not restricted to scores or grades, should be provided. In particular, the QAC Audit Panel has advised us to enhance students’ understanding of the grade descriptors used in undergraduate and taught postgraduate courses, and to provide better feedback.
You are therefore requested at the start of each semester to talk students through the grade descriptors used in their courses, so that they understand the level of performance expected of them. You are also asked to give timely feedback on assignments and written examinations, so as to enable students to learn from what they have done well and what they have done badly.
The Centre for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (CETL) will continue to work on enhancing assessment practices and providing good feedback to students. If you have any thoughts or need any help, you are most welcome to contact the CETL staff liaison for your Faculty/Office as set out below:
| CETL Staff Liaison | Faculty / Office |
|---|---|
| Dr. Susan Bridges (sbridges@hku.hk) |
Arts, Dentistry, Education and Medicine |
| Dr. Cecilia Chan (ckchan09@hku.hk) |
Architecture, Business & Economics, Common Core, Engineering, and Science |
| Dr. Luke Fryer (fryer@hku.hk) |
Social Sciences, and Law |
Opportunity is taken to draw your attention to a new exciting initiative called “Collaborative Online International Learning” (COIL). Through online technology, COIL connects teachers and students from two or more universities in different countries, enabling them to engage in discussions, collaborative projects, and other virtual exchanges (in class or out of class). Fully aligning with the University’s internationalisation at home strategy, COIL expands our course offerings, and broadens students’ horizons. You are strongly encouraged to develop COIL courses for undergraduate and taught postgraduate students, and consult the CETL staff liaison for your Faculty/Office as necessary. Details about COIL can be found on the T&L website.
Best wishes, Ian
Professor Ian Holliday
Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor
(Teaching and Learning)