This workshop helps participants explore how to improve assessment and the quality and productivity of higher education.
Date: Sept 23, 2013 (Mon)
Time: 12:45pm – 2pm
Venue: Room 321, Run Run Shaw Building
Facilitator: Dr Hamish Coates
To begin, I review underpinning contexts and concepts, then analyse two case studies that expose key methods and opportunities. To conclude this first portion of the workshop I present a model that institutions and academics can use to implement structured assessment partnerships.
Next, participants are invited to reflect broadly on how they would use the model to improve assessment, to identify the best single change they could make, and to detail what would be required to make this change work.
The workshop concludes by drawing together participants’ proposals, evaluating the value and feasibility of each, and drawing broader conclusions about how such effort can improve higher education.
Concluding remarks focus on work underway to impel change in this area, such as international transparency initiatives, the development of assessment resources and services, and building professional capacity and community.
This seminar discusses rationales and approaches for using learning technologies on campus to engineer an engaged student experience. It begins by exploring contemporary forces shaping campus-based higher education, looking in particular at the influence of learning technologies. I then unpack the concept of student engagement, drawing on theories and findings from a decade of large-scale research in Australia and abroad. I conclude with suggestions for how academic and support staff can use learning technologies to enhance students’ engagement in campus-based higher education.
Date: Sept 24, 2013 (Tue)
Time: 12:45pm – 2pm
Venue: Room 322, Run Run Shaw Building
Speaker: Dr Hamish Coates
Many colleagues will know that Moodle is the University’s Learning Management System of choice. Moodle is a potentially powerful tool for teachers to create rich, rewarding and engaging e-learning experiences. However, Moodle does not do so quite well when we begin to think of students as authors and architects of their learning.
In this seminar we will present Google Applications for Education (GAFE) and discuss the potential of GAFE for giving students spaces engage in learning on their terms and in an environment over which they have control. The seminar will consist of two parts. In part one Iain Doherty will provide an overview of GAFE and present a theoretical perspective on the importance of students having control over their learning. In part two Nicky Ng will provide practical examples of how GAFE might be used in teaching and learning.
Speakers: Dr. Iain Doherty and Mr. Nicky Ng, e-learning Pedagogical Support Unit
Date: 30 July 2013 (Tuesday)
Time: 12:45 – 2:00pm
Venue: Room 321, Run Run Shaw Building, HKU
Many of you will have seen the University announcement concerning The University of Hong Kong joining edX. The e-learning Pedagogical Support Unit has now liaise with key representatives from edX. Consultations have also taken place with a number of the professors who will be involved in the MOOC initiative. The EPSU will keep colleagues updated about the MOOC initiative through this newsletter and through regular presentations. It is anticipated that the first of these presentations will take place in August.
e-learning Pedagogical Support Unit Presentations
In June the EPSU presented a lunchtime seminar on student engagement. In connection with the question of student engagement EPSU staff attended a Google Summit on Google Applications for Education (GAFE). We are keen to share our experiences with colleagues – particularly in terms of what GAFE might mean for student learning – and we will be presenting a lunchtime seminar on GAFE in early August.
Technology Enhanced Feedback
We are pleased to announce that the EPSU in conjunction with ITS and Library has been awarded a TDG to implement GradeMark. GradeMark works in combination with Turnitin to provide a timesaving solution for marking and providing feedback to students. Details about GradeMark can be found at http://turnitin.com/en_us/features/grademark. GradeMark should be implemented for Semester One 2013 and the TDG team will be evaluating its use across the university.
Have Your Say With Moodle
The University e-learning Enhancement Task Force (EETF) has continued to manage the process around requests to enhance Moodle so that the system meets the specific needs of Faculties. If you want to see changes to Moodle you can make a request by self-enrolling in the EETF Moodle Site. To self-enroll follow the following procedure:
Click on “Courses” in the navigation menu on the left hand side of the page.
Scroll to the bottom of the page and type “elearning” in the search box.
The search results will include “EETF e-learning Enhancement Task Force [2012]“
Click on the course title.
You will be asked to log in to the HKU Portal.
You can then self-enroll in the course.
The Moodle Users Group
The Moodle Users Group meets most Thursdays at lunchtime for workshops on teaching practice using the Moodle LMS, including blended learning activity development. Come by and bring your laptop to discuss issues you are facing and share solutions you have found to work in your teaching. Click here for the latest workshop schedule.
e-learning seminars by the Faculty of Education and CITE
The Faculty of Education in conjunction with CITE hosts seminars by speakers on a range of e-learning topics, with a focus on innovative use of technology to support teaching and learning. Click here for the latest seminar schedule.
Update on Panopto Lecture Capture System
All lecture theatres and about half of the classrooms in the Centennial Campus, and all classrooms inside the Oval on the first floor of the Knowles Building, are equipped with ceiling-mounted cameras and wireless microphones for use with Panopto.
Moodle 2.4.4+ is Being Tested
ITS plans to upgrade the production Moodle system from 2.3.1 to 2.4.4 in the summer. e-learning Enhancement Task Force (EETF) is testing the Moodle 2.4.4 new features and functionalities on a testing platform. The new version comes with a collection of system fixes and improvements (http://docs.moodle.org/dev/Moodle_2.4.4_release_notes).
Panopto and Moodle Hands-on Training Courses for Staff
This one-day ‘Introduction to Teaching and Learning @ HKU’ programme is a foundation programme in teaching and learning at the University of Hong Kong and is designed for teaching staff, regardless of previous teaching experience, who are new to teaching at HKU. The overall aim is to provide new staff with a better understanding of specific issues relating to teaching and learning context in Hong Kong and at HKU. Staff will hear from leading Senior Academics in areas of strategic importance to the University.
During this programme, participants will engage in discussion and hands on activities relating to issues relevant to teaching and learning at HKU. These will include the overview of the 4-year undergraduate curriculum reform delivered by Professor Amy B.M. Tsui, the PVC of HKU, the demography and culture of HKU students, English as a medium of instruction, the common core curriculum and e-learning at HKU. Participants will also learn about the many forms of and uses for the evaluation of teaching and learning at HKU and about the opportunities for teaching development grants and teaching awards at HKU.
Upon completion of the programme, participants will be expected to have:
Discussed the implications for teaching and learning in relation to current changes in the HK education system and at HKU
Engaged in active discussions on demographic, cultural and language issues relevant to teaching and learning from the perspectives of the students and the teachers
Participated in activities demonstrating the use of student evaluation of teaching and learning at HKU
Identified different teaching-related opportunities and activities to motivate and enhance student learning available at HKU
Identified opportunities to pursue the scholarship of teaching and learning
The ‘Introduction to Teaching and Learning @ HKU’ is a required programme for all new academic and academic-related staff with full-time teaching responsibilities commencing on or after September 1, 2011, and should be taken within the first year of service and there are no exemptions. If you are unclear as to whether this applies to you, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Gayle Morris, the Director of Academic Programmes.
Early registration is encouraged as enrollment is limited.
In the event of full registration, priority will be given to new academic and academic-related staff with full-time teaching responsibilities commencing on or after September 1, 2011.
Facilitators:
Prof. Ying Chan, Director, Journalism and Media Studies Centre
Dr. Wilton Fok, Director, e-Learning Technology Development Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Dr. Cecilia Chan, Assistant Professor, Centre for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning
Date: 17 June, 2013 (Mon)
Time: 12:30pm – 2:00pm
Venue: Room 321, Run Run Shaw Building, HKU
Introduction
iClass is an interactive mobile learning system supported by the University Teaching Development Grant. Teachers and students can use their iPhones, iPads, Android smartphones and laptops, or any mobile devices to share ideas, conduct assessment and analyze the result in a class in real-time. It had been used in some courses in the Faculty of Engineering, Social Science, Medicine and Dentistry. iClass has shown effectiveness in engaging and providing opportunities for students to students; teachers to students interactions. In this workshop, Prof. Ying Chan will share the good practice of using iClass in her common core course for in-class assessment and interactive discussion. Dr. Wilton Fok will introduce the new features of iClass and demonstrate its operation.
In the workshop, you will learn:
How to share graphics and drawings in class?
How to share text based ideas and organized in different dimensions?
How to create different types of quiz: MC, fill-in-the-blank, matching and numerical answer?
How to use the built-in statistic tools to analyze the performance in question level, student level and class level?
How to collect and share audio? E.g. for oral presentation or debate.
Please bring your own devices: any laptop/smartphone/tablet PC run in iOS, Android/ Window.
Many of you will have seen the University announcement concerning The University of Hong Kong joining edX. The e-learning Pedagogical Support Unit will play a central role in this initiative through working with subject matter experts to develop pedagogically sound online learning experiences. The EPSU Director presented on MOOCs in May. If you would like to know more about MOOCs you can download the presentation.
e-learning Pedagogical Support Unit Presentations
In May the EPSU presented at the CITE Symposium and hosted a panel discussion at the CITE Symposium. The panel comprised of University teachers with whom the EPSU has worked on projects. The EPSU also presented at the University’s Mobile Learning Festival. Finally, the EPSU Director delivered a Keynote speech at the iMOOT, a 3 day online Moodle conference. On June 14th (Friday), 2013, the EPSU will be presenting a seminar entitled ‘Engaging Our Students: A Matter of Motivation and Active Learning‘. Visit the EPSU website for details of EPSU events.
Technology Enhanced Assessment and Feedback
The EPSU is working with a Common Core Working Party looking at the use of technologies to enhance the assessment and feedback process. As part of this process the EPSU will be producing a series of short videos (2-3 minutes each) on using various technologies in the assessment and feedback process. These full set of videos will be available on the EPSU YouTube Channel. Visit our channel if you would like to view current EPSU videos on customizing Moodle, Moodle Groups and quick feedback tips.
Have Your Say With Moodle
The University e-learning Enhancement Task Force (EETF) has continued to manage the process around requests to enhance Moodle so that the system meets the specific needs of Faculties. If you want to see changes to Moodle you can make a request by self-enrolling in the EETF Moodle Site. To self-enroll follow the following procedure:
Click on “Courses” in the navigation menu on the left hand side of the page.
Scroll to the bottom of the page and type “elearning” in the search box.
The search results will include “EETF e-learning Enhancement Task Force [2012]“
Click on the course title.
You will be asked to log in to the HKU Portal.
You can then self-enroll in the course.
The Moodle Users Group
The Moodle Users Group meets most Thursdays at lunchtime for workshops on teaching practice using the Moodle LMS, including blended learning activity development. Come by and bring your laptop to discuss issues you are facing and share solutions you have found to work in your teaching. Click here for the latest workshop schedule.
e-learning seminars by the Faculty of Education and CITE
The Faculty of Education in conjunction with CITE hosts seminars by speakers on a range of e-learning topics, with a focus on innovative use of technology to support teaching and learning. Click here for the latest seminar schedule.
Student Learning Experience Questionnaire (SLEQ)
Hyper-links for accessing the HKU Student Learning Experience Questionnaire for the UG students and Taught Postgraduate Experience Questionnaire for the TPG students have been put under the relevant students’ “My e-learning” page of their HKU Portal system. Eligible students can now easily access the online SLEQ system via these links.
Panopto and Moodle Hands-on Training Courses for Staff
Abstract
Academics in all the world’s higher education institutions are facing the twin pressures of researching and teaching but nowhere is that more evident than in the research intensive universities. One way to “kill two birds with one stone” is to do serious and publishable research about your own practice as a researcher who is passionate about teaching. By collaborating with a teacher who is passionate about researching, the best of both worlds can be brought to the table. Discipline-based education journals are slowly inching up the ranking tables – which is a win-win situation for both parties. This seminar draws on personal experience for examples of how such collaborations can be brought to successful conclusions.
Date : June 5, 2013 (Wednesday)
Time : 12:45pm – 2pm
Venue : Room 322, Run Run Shaw Building
Speaker : Dr Andrys Onsman
Abstract
Assessment tasks are increasingly moving towards incorporating a teaching strategy. Although the formative and summative aspects of assessment are still very powerful and useful constructs, the function of encouraging students to acquire knowledge and skills as they complete an assessment task is also gaining traction. From the simple idea of allowing students to change MCQ responses in the light of answers given to later questions (and tracking those changes), to encouraging students to make deliberate mistakes in order to learn, assessment tasks are increasingly designed to allow students to gain new insights rather than simply be records of achievement. How is this expansion of assessment purpose made manifest in environments where there are increasingly larger class sizes, increasingly more demands on the time of the academic, and increasingly longer (and more transparent) institutional compliance check lists? Where can we find world’s best practice? How can we incorporate it in our own teaching?
Date : June 3, 2013 (Monday)
Time : 12:45pm – 2pm
Venue : Room 321, Run Run Shaw Building
Speaker : Dr Andrys Onsman
Last month (April) the e-learning Pedagogical Support Unit delivered five professional learning events: a half day workshop on creating engaging learning experiences; 2 seminars on the Evaluation of the Flipped Classroom at the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine; one seminar by Dr. Weiyuan Zhang and Ms. Jeanne Lam from HKU SPACE; and one seminar by Mr. Darren Harbutt on using Moodle for assessment activities.
Further events are planned for this month including a seminar on Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCS). Details of upcoming events are available at http://epsu.cetl.hku.hk/.
If you would like to see a seminar or presentation on a particular topic – either delivered centrally or within your Faculty – please contact Dr. Iain Doherty, idoherty@hku.hk.
CITE Research Symposium 2013
The EPSU will be well represented at the CITE 2013 Research Symposium to be held on Friday 10 and Saturday 11May. The Symposium provides a great opportunity to hear about e-learning developments from across Hong Kong at both a secondary and tertiary level. It is also a great opportunity to network with e-learning enthusiasts. Details of the symposium can be found athttp://citers2013.cite.hku.hk/en/index.htm
Teaching Development Grants
The e-learning Pedagogical Support Unit has acted in an advisory role for a number of successful Teaching Development Grants that have focused on e-learning Developments. e-learning is one of foci of the Teaching Development Grants this year so if you have an idea in mind please get in touch. Contact Dr. Iain Doherty, idoherty@hku.hk.
Have Your Say With Moodle
The University e-learning Enhancement Task Force (EETF) has continued to manage the process around requests to enhance Moodle so that the system meets the specific needs of Faculties. If you want to see changes to Moodle you can make a request by self-enrolling in the EETF Moodle Site. To self-enroll follow the following procedure:
Click on “Courses” in the navigation menu on the left hand side of the page.
Scroll to the bottom of the page and type “elearning” in the search box.
The search results will include “EETF e-learning Enhancement Task Force [2012]“
Click on the course title.
You will be asked to log in to the HKU Portal.
You can then self-enroll in the course.
The Moodle Users Group
The Moodle Users Group meets most Thursdays at lunchtime for workshops on teaching practice using the Moodle LMS, including blended learning activity development. Come by and bring your laptop to discuss issues you are facing and share solutions you have found to work in your teaching. Click here for the latest workshop schedule.
e-learning seminars by the Faculty of Education and CITE
The Faculty of Education in conjunction with CITE hosts seminars by speakers on a range of e-learning topics, with a focus on innovative use of technology to support teaching and learning. Click here for the latest seminar schedule.
Accessing SETL in Moodle
The first year students can now access the online Student Evaluation of Teaching and Learning (SETL) questionnaire via any of their Moodle courses. Once first year students have logged in Moodle, they can follow the following path to access the SETL: Moodle system -> Moodle course -> Block ‘SETL’ (located at the right handed side).
Panopto and Moodle Hands-on Training Courses for Staff
