Teaching Approach

Development of an Assessment Scheme for a Student Design Project/Competitions Course

Project Overview
Project Title	Development of an Assessment Scheme for a Student Design Project/Competitions Course
Project Leader	Prof Kam-Tim Woo
School / Dept	SENG / ECE
Project Duration	Mar 2010 - Jun 2012
Project Description	This project modified the existing assessment scheme to facilitate students to achieve the learning outcomes of a course on student design project/competitions by 1) developing new and specific rubrics; 2) introducing self and peer assessment; 3) involving communication tutor or language instructor to assess students; 4) studying the feasibility of integrating project elements into LANG courses for engineering students and 5) getting feedback from stakeholders, like professionals and representatives from the NGOs etc.
Project Outcome	Developed assessment rubrics and introduced peer assessment so that the students can learn from each other Kept track with the students' learning progress and promoted students' self-reflection along with instructors' feedback Involved other faculties and other stakeholders (including professionals, non-governmental organizations, etc.) to assess and give feedback to the students
Status	Completed
Project Documents (Only accessible by HKUST users)	Project Plan Progress Report Final Report Project-end Review by Project Leader
Adaptation	Full Project

Developing a Web-enabled Innovative Learning Outcome Assessment System for Final Year Projects in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Project Overview
Project Title	Developing a Web-enabled Innovative Learning Outcome Assessment System for Final Year Projects in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Project Leader	Prof Xueqing Zhang
School / Dept	SENG / CIVL
Project Duration	Mar 2010 - Oct 2011
Project Description	This project was funded to complete the preparation stage of the development of the web-based assessment system. It thus developed an outcome-based assessment system for the final-year projects (FYPs) of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. In order to facilitate both teachers and students to supervise and complete the FYPs under an outcome-based framework, the system included the outcome-based assessment criteria, evaluation methods and tools for FYP, information related to the teaching and learning methodology of outcome-based FYPs, expected outcomes for all teaching and research areas in the two BEng programs, key FYP training stages and procedures, training areas and teaching plans/strategies.
Project Outcome	The current FYP operation practices in two CIVL BEng programs have been reviewed. Outcome-based FYP practices in universities in both Hong Kong and overseas have been reviewed. A set of desired generic and professional learning outcomes for FYPs in civil engineering have been established. Key learning areas in different FYP stages that contribute to the defined learning outcomes have been identified. Multiple indicators (attributes) that measure the levels of the generic and professional learning outcomes obtained from FYPs have been developed. A multi-attribute FYP learning outcome assessment system has been developed.
Status	Completed
Project Documents (Only accessible by HKUST users)	Project Plan Final Report Project-end Review by Project Leader
Adaptation	Full Project

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Adopting Computer Algebra Systems in Engineering Education: Curriculum and Assessment Issues

Project Overview
Project Title	Adopting Computer Algebra Systems in Engineering Education: Curriculum and Assessment Issues
Project Leader	Prof Thomas WC Hu and Prof Xueqing Zhang
School / Dept	SENG / CIVL
Project Duration	Jan 2009 - Jan 2011
Project Description	This project tried to reform the assessment focus of engineering courses with permission and encouragement using CAS (computer algebra system) calculators in examination to enhance students' problem solving skills with more complex, realistic and creative modeling questions.
Project Outcome	Study on the CIVL exam questions of universities was conducted. New CAS-related teaching and learning materials were developed. Assessment were re-designed and was implemented in 3 courses.
Status	Completed
Project Documents (Only accessible by HKUST users)	Project Plan Progress Report Final Report
Adaptation	Full Project

Enhanced Student Learning in Civil Engineering Courses Using CAS Calculators

Project Overview
Project Title	Enhanced Student Learning in Civil Engineering Courses Using CAS Calculators
Project Leader	Prof Thomas Hu
School / Dept	SENG / CIVL
Project Duration	Jan 2007 - Jun 2008
Project Description	The project developed new solution methodology for engineering problems using a new class of calculators embedded with Computer Algebra Systems (CAS). It also designed new teaching materials, with explicit reference on the use of CAS calculators to tackle matrix inversion, multiplication and transposition, etc.
Project Outcome	New teaching methodology, a more automated, simplified and effective approach using CAS calculator rather than a traditional manual approach, was adopted to handle the engineering surveying and mechanics problems. CAS calculator-based teaching materials for three civil engineering courses were designed whereas current teaching materials were also modified for the new model of CAS calculators. The new teaching methodology with the use of CAS calculator was adopted in 3 classes.
Status	Completed
Project Documents (Only accessible by HKUST users)	Project Plan Progress Report: First \| Second \| Third \| Final Report
Adaptation	Full Project

Assessment of Presentation using Posters with Peer-Evaluation

Project Overview
Project Title	Assessment of Presentation using Posters with Peer-Evaluation
Project Leader	Dr Ice WP Ko and Williamson WK Lam
School / Dept	SSCI / BIOL and SSCI
Project Duration	Feb 2009 - Aug 2011
Project Description	This project introduced an innovative assessment methodology that involved relatively high level of students' participation, which aimed at enhancing students' presentation and team work skills. The innovative assessment complied of two parts: (1) Group projects reported in the form of posters, and (2) Peer evaluation of the posters.
Project Outcome	A set of evaluation rubrics was developed and updaated to assess students' poster presentation. A training workshop was conducted to introduce students on the techniques and requirement of poster presentation. Peer evaluation for the poster presentation was successfully conducted with the Online System for Student Peer Evaluation (OSSPE).
Status	Completed
Project Documents (Only accessible by HKUST users)	Project Plan Progress Report: First \| Second \| Final Report Project-end Review by Project Leader
Adaptation	Full Project

Group Project Assessment - Ensuring Grading Fairness and Effective Implementation for Educational Merit

Project Overview
Project Title	Group Project Assessment - Ensuring Grading Fairness and Effective Implementation for Educational Merit
Project Leader	Prof King L Chow
School / Dept	SSCI / BIOL
Project Duration	Sept 2008 - Feb 2010
Project Description	This project tried to apply the Games Theory for group project assessment to encourage students to contribute their full and best efforts to achieve the intended learning outcomes of the courses.
Project Outcome	A games theory-incorporated group project assessment system and instruments were developed and tested. The refined group project assessments are proposed.
Status	Completed
Project Documents (Only accessible by HKUST users)	Project Plan Progress Report Final Report
Adaptation	Full Project

Enrichment Program for Biology Students

Project Overview
Project Title	Enrichment Program for Biology Students
Project Leader	Dr Ice WP Ko
School / Dept	SSCI / BIOL
Project Duration	Jan 2008 - Dec 2008
Project Description	This was a service learning project jointly organized by the Department of Biology of HKUST and the Hong Kong Wetland Park (HKWP) to cultivate students' commitment to community services. The objectives of the project were to enhance the students’ overall interest in environmental conservation, enable the students to connect what they learned from our environmental courses to the real-life situation, provide a chance for the students to make contribution in protecting our local environment, and enhance the students’ communication skills through their service.
Project Outcome	Adapting an innovative service learning approach, a 6-month Enrichment Program was designed for Biology undergraduates. Twelve students were selected and received a 2-day training from the Hong Kong Wetland Park to enhance their knowledge in environmental conservation in particular that about wetlands. Through this Program, the students became familiarized with the facilities and the environment of HKWP. After training, the students served as ecotour guides and exhibition interpreters at HKWetland Park.
Status	Completed
Project Documents (Only accessible by HKUST users)	Project Plan Progress Report Final Report
Adaptation	Adaptation from Stimulating Student Learning through Community Engagement: fieldwork participation as learning process

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Pilot Courses for Science General Education in the Four-Year University Curriculum

Project Overview
Project Title	Pilot Courses for Science General Education in the Four-Year University Curriculum
Project Leader	Prof Michael Wong
School / Dept	SSCI / PHYS
Project Duration	Jan 2007 - Dec 2008
Project Description	The objective of this project was to offer new joint-department General Education courses (GEE) based on inter-disciplinary themes. The project investigated major teaching and learning issues including (a) factors affecting the motivation and interest of students in GEE courses ; (b) factors affecting the impact of the scientific inquiry approach on the students, through the integration of physics, biology and chemistry under common themes relevant to the daily lives of the students - an issue crucial to this new joint-department effort; (c) the effectiveness of demonstrations, field trips, and in-class questions through the Personal Response System (PRS), as well as other participatory activities on student learning in GEE courses.
Project Outcom	Course materials for two General Education Courses (GEE) in science were developed. The factors affecting the motivation and interest of students in GEE courses, especially to those students with little training in science, were investigated. The effectiveness of interactive teaching methodologies was investigated. 3 students were trained during the process of developing experiments for the course “Energy and related environmental issues” and 1 student was trained during the process of designing curriculum for the course “Gastronomy” through Independent Study.
Status	Completed
Project Documents (Only accessible by HKUST users)	Project Plan Progress Report: First \| Second \| Final Report
Adaptation	Full Project

Discovery-Based Functional Genomics Laboratory for Biology Program

Project Overview
Project Title	Discovery-Based Functional Genomics Laboratory for Biology Program
Project Leader	Prof King L Chow
School / Dept	SSCI / BIOL
Project Duration	Dec 2005 - Jun 2007
Project Description	Discovery-based science education is regarded effective in increasing students’ learning interest in science. However, it has not been actively pursued in local or other tertiary institutes in the region since its effectiveness can only be evaluated over a long period of time and is often viewed as a project that heavily demands both human resources and supporting facilities. This project aimed to: 1. set up a small functional teaching laboratory facility with research capability for 10-15 undergraduate students and to test run this functional genomic/genetics course; 2. produce an experimental manual of several chapters, with each describing specific experimental approach/technique; 3. understand specific issues arisen from operation of this course, to solve the problem and develop a scale up version for long term implementation in our biology curriculum; and 4. evaluate the possibility of expanding this course into a core component of an elite biological science program.
Project Outcome	A discovery-based molecular genetics course was developed providing first and second year undergraduate biology students anticipating a research career the opportunity to have a glimpse of the operation of a research lab. “Functional Genomics Laboratory”, a small functional teaching/research lab facility was set up with research capability for 10-15 undergraduate students and test running this genetics course. An experimental/laboratory manual of various techniques related to the initial screening procedure was produced to aid students in designing their experiments.
Status	Completed
Project Documents (Only accessible by HKUST users)	Project Plan Progress Report: First \| Second \| Third \| Final Report
Adaptation	Full Project

Peer Review of Biology Final Year Projects-A Platform for the Development of Critical Thinking

Project Overview
Project Title	Peer Review of Biology Final Year Projects-A Platform for the Development of Critical Thinking
Project Leader	Prof Karl WK Tsim and Dr Nina L Siow
School / Dept	SSCI / BIOL
Project Duration	Sept 2009 - Aug 2011
Project Description	This project tried to refine the assessment methods for Biology Final Year Projects from assessing solely by teaching staff to student peers evaluation. Through round-table discussion and online peer-review of poster presentation, students developed better skills in critical thinking, communication and presentation skills.
Project Outcome	The online peer review system was developed, pilot-tested, and implemented. Three sets of rubrics for various outcomes were developed and introduced to students. The assessment framework and guidelines for the oral and poster presentation were developed.
Status	Completed
Project Documents (Only accessible by HKUST users)	Project Plan Progress Report Final Report Project-end Review by Project Leader
Adaptation	Full Project

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