Report on University Studies: Lessons Learned from an Award-Winning Common Core Curriculum at Portland State University

Dr Candyce Reynolds discussed the successes and challenges of running a general education programme for 18 years at the seminar entitled “University Studies: Lessons Learned from an Award-Winning Common Core Curriculum at Portland State University (PSU)”.

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Organized by the Common Core Curriculum Committee and the Centre for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, this seminar was held on June 22, 2012 to provide an opportunity for participants who engage in Common Core teaching or associated activities to learn more about “University Studies”, the award-winning general education programme at PSU. The session was attended by over 40 of our staff members.

The structure, stages of development and curricular goals of the programme were described in the seminar. Dr Reynolds also presented examples of tools and methods used to assess student learning in University Studies courses. To ensure sustainability of the programme, she pointed out that the followings issues should be carefully attended to:

  • Creating opportunities for learning community development
  • Developing a culture of institutional assessment
  • Promoting and rewarding good teaching in general education at faculty and university levels
  • Managing students’ expectations about traditional modalities of education.
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Click here to access the presentation slides presented by Dr Reynolds at the seminar.

To know more about PSU’s comprehensive general education programme and its recent developments, please visit their website.

Report on ePortfolios as a Tool to Promote Integrative Learning

A CETL seminar on “ePortfolios as a Tool to Promote Integrative Learning” presented by Dr Candyce Reynolds was held on June 20, 2012. Candyce Reynolds is an Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Education at Portland State University (PSU), Portland, Oregon, USA in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy.

The seminar discussed a wide range of issues pertaining to ePortfolios and benefits relating to their use. Dr Reynolds also shared the experience of assessing ePortfolios at PSU with the audience.

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  • To learn more about Dr Reynolds’s presentation, you may download her powerpoint or click here.
  • Examples of ePortfolios are available here.
  • For the Freshman Inquiry ePortfoilio Guide of Portland State University, please click here.

ePortfolios as a Tool to Promote Integrative Learning

Organized by
Centre for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (CETL)

Speaker: Dr Candyce Reynolds, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Date: 20 Jun, 2012 (Wed)
Time: 12:45pm – 2:00pm
Venue: Room 321, Run Run Shaw Building, HKU

Abstract

The use of ePortfolios in American universities has proliferated over the last ten years as administrators and educators have discovered the rich opportunities they provide for both promoting and assessing student learning. Through ePortfolios, students have the opportunity to make connections and more intentionally develop integrative learning. This session will share how ePortfolios are used in a first year common core curriculum program to facilitate student learning and assessment. Staff members who are interested in ways in which students’ learning experience could be documented and tracked will also find this seminar useful.

About the speaker

Candyce Reynolds is an Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Education at Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, USA in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy. She teaches primarily in the Postsecondary, Adult, and Continuing Education Program working with students interested in education in all its forms. She has an A.B. in Psychology and Social Welfare from the University of California at Berkeley, USA and an M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Oregon, USA in Counseling Psychology.

Dr. Reynolds has had a wide variety of experiences in higher education and beyond, working in student affairs, departments of psychology, business and management consultation, general education, a peer mentoring program and in faculty development. Her scholarship has primarily focused on student success in higher education. She is a leader in the area of student centered pedagogy, authentic student learning assessment and the role of reflective practice in facilitating student learning. In recent years, her work has focused on the use of the ePortfolio to promote student learning and program assessment. She has published broadly in higher education books and journals and has made presentations at a variety of venues throughout the USA and internationally.

For details and online registration, please go to:
http://www.cetl.hku.hk/seminar120620/

For enquiries, please contact Ms Ivy Lai by email laichun2@hku.hk.

University Studies: Lessons Learned from an Award-Winning Common Core Curriculum at Portland State University

Jointly Organized by:
Common Core Curriculum Committee &
Centre for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (CETL)

Date: June 22, 2012 (Friday)
Time: 12:45pm – 2pm
Venue: Room 321, Run Run Shaw Building, HKU

Speaker: Dr Candyce Reynolds, Graduate School of Education,
Portland State University

Abstract

Portland State University initiated a new integrated four level common core curriculum in 1994. This session will describe the structure and development of the program and its curricular goals. The session will conclude with a discussion of lesson learned in the process. Similarities and differences between this program and the HKU Common Core Curriculum will be explored and discussed.

About the Speaker

Candyce Reynolds is an Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Education at Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, USA in the department of Educational Leadership and Policy. She teaches primarily in the Postsecondary, Adult, and Continuing Education Program working with students interested in education in all its forms. She has an A.B. in Psychology and Social Welfare from the University of California at Berkeley, USA and an M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Oregon, USA in Counseling Psychology.

Dr Reynolds is a leader in the area of student centered pedagogy, authentic student learning assessment and the role of reflective practice in facilitating student learning. In recent years, her work has focused on the use of the ePortfolio to promote student learning and program assessment. She has published broadly in higher education books and journals and has made presentations at a variety of venues throughout the USA and internationally.

Light refreshments will be served.

All are welcome. For registration, please visit:
http://www.cetl.hku.hk/seminar120622/

For enquiries, please contact:
Ms Emily Chan by email chiting@hku.hk

Report on Understanding Experiential Learning– a conversation with Dr. Etienne Wenger-Trayner

Dr. Etienne Wenger-Trayner, a globally recognized thought leader in the field of social learning theory and communities of practice, engaged in a dialogue entitled “Understanding Experiential Learning” with over 50 staff and students on April 25, 2012. Mr John Lin (Department of Architecture), Professor Bennett Yim (School of Business) and Professor Albert Kwan (Department of Civil Engineering) and also joined the session as panelists. The event was part of the Curriculum Reform Seminar Series jointly organized by the Steering Committee on 4-Year Undergraduate Curriculum and the Centre for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (CETL).

Dr. Wenger-Trayner described the three video cases of experiential learning at HKU as “quite moving” because these initiatives align with the social learning theory very well. He was particularly impressed when students talked about how they were being transformed by their learning experience. In the conversation, Dr. Wenger-Trayner also drew the audience into reflecting the assumptions we make about the learner and the learning process. He challenged the audience to think about the institutional implications of bringing about a paradigm shift in our understanding of doing, knowing and learning.

In the panel discussion, the three panelists gave an affirmative response to experiential learning. They shared their insights on how this mode of teaching affords a new way of looking at knowledge and set students off on an adventure where they gradually understand their core values, form their identity, and see the relevance of their profession to the humankind.

Common Core Forum on May 31, 2012

In preparation for the full launch of the Common Core (CC) Curriculum in September 2012, more than 80 course co-ordinators, teachers and tutors convened at a half-day forum on May 31, 2012 to share good practices of teaching, and to discuss issues encountered in this academic year.

Mr Gwyn Edwards, Director of CC Curriculum, opened the forum by sharing some of the major findings from the Student Evaluation of Teaching and Learning (SETL) survey. Overall, there was improvement in all aspects, namely course effectiveness, teacher effectiveness and tutorial effectiveness. Students mostly regarded CC courses as “interesting”, and gave very positive comments on the quality of tutorials. However, many students also felt that the courses could be improved in terms of workload and assessment.

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Two innovative approaches to engage students in dealing with “big questions” to humankind were showcased at the forum. In the first presentation, Dr Chad Lykins and Dr Maria Manzon spoke on their experience in using the Challenge Project and the Active Planning Journal to help students achieve an in-depth understanding of poverty and to take concrete actions to alleviate associated problems.

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In the second session, Dr Charles Schencking explained how primary texts and visual sources were used in class to help students investigate natural disasters as researchers. The last part of the forum involved an open discussion on issues and possible challenges in further enhancing the CC Curriculum.

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In her concluding remarks, Professor Amy B.M. Tsui, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning), thanked teachers and tutors for their tireless efforts in ensuring excellent delivery of CC Courses. She also re-affirmed that the CC Curriculum is not on the periphery but at the centre of the students’ academic experience at HKU.

Date: Thursday May 31, 2012 (2 – 5 pm)
Venue: Hui Oi Chow Science Building LG-06

Rundown and PowerPoint Presentations
HKU Portal Authentication Required
Presentation: Review of Common Core Courses 2011 and Preparation for 2012 (Mr Gwyn Edwards)
Presentation Download

Sharing Session 1: Innovative Practices of Teaching and Assessing Common Core Courses (I)

Sharing Session 2: Innovative Practices of Teaching and Assessing Common Core Courses (II)
Sharing Session 3: Problem-sharing: Issues Arising in the Teaching and Assessment of Common Core Courses (Mr Gwyn Edwards)
Summing Up and Way Forward (Prof Amy Tsui)

Previous Common Core Forums
On May 31, 2011
On December 9, 2010
On May 10, 2010

Assessing experiential learning workshop

Jointly organized by
the Experiential Learning Assessment Task Force and CETL

Speakers: Dr. Mike Bothelho, Dr. Esther Cheung, Mr. Gwyn Edwards, Prof. David Kember and Dr. Gayle Morris
Date: 30 May, 2012 (Wed)
Time: 12:30pm – 2:00pm
Venue: Rm 321 Run Run Shaw Building, HKU

The benefits of experiential learning are widely recognized. Many, though, find it difficult to adequately assess the many diverse outcomes which result from experiential learning.

This workshop presents an adaptable toolkit to guide the selection of assessment components for common forms of outcomes from experiential learning. Participants will be invited to discuss which forms of assessment would suit experiential learning in their discipline. Grade descriptors for forms of assessment suitable for experiential learning will be presented.

Learn more

Teaching Excellence Award Scheme Workshop

Organized by
Centre for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (CETL)

CETL Facilitator: Dr.Gayle Morris
Date: 19 Jun, 2012 (Tue)
Time: 12:30pm – 2:00pm
Venue: Room 322, Run Run Shaw Building, HKU

This workshop is open to all teaching staff who are interested in finding out more about the Teaching Excellence Awards. Staff will be provided an overview of the award scheme, the key selection criteria and advice in preparing an evidence-based teaching portfolio. Staff who are thinking about applying in the next round are strongly encouraged to attend. Staff who are not sure, or would simply like to know more about the scheme, are most welcome.

Learn more

Understanding Experiential Learning– a conversation with Dr. Etienne Wenger-Trayner

This special seminar is open to all staff and students. Students who have been involved in experiential learning or who are interested are most welcome.

Panelists:
Mr. John Lin, Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture
Mr. Peter K.K. Lee, Honorary Professor, Department of Civil Engineering
Professor Bennett Yim, Professor, School of Business

Date: 25 Apr, 2012 (Wed)
Time: 12:45pm – 2:00pm
Venue: Room 321, Run Run Shaw Building, HKU

Learn more and online registration

Common Core Marking Rubrics in Practice

This hands-on series of workshops is intended to guide CC teachers and tutors in the use of the recently distributed Common Core marking rubrics. Participants will receive sample student work prior to the session, and the appropriate marking rubric. At the workshop participants will be invited to share their decisions in relation to the grading but more importantly to share the thinking behind the decision. In doing so we will explore individual understanding of ‘what counts’ in terms of the prescribed criteria and standard of performance.

Focus on essays
22 Mar 2012 (Thu)

Focus on reflective journals
29 Mar 2012 (Thu)

Focus on oral presentations
12 Apr 2012 (Thu) Cancelled

Learn more