A Brief introduction of Iris's Research Topic

Hi, dear all, long time no see you, how rrrrrrrr uuuuuuu ? Looking forward to seeing you guys tomorrow. By tomorrow's meeting, I expect that I will have written a few pages for one of my assignments. Regarding to the suggestion raised by some of you that we should publish the abstract of our research study here so that we can help each other better, I think that this is a great idea. Here is a brief introduction of my research topic:

My research topic is concerning the implementation of formative assessment in the undergraduate EAP (English for academic purposes) classroom in the continuous assessment context in HK(U). According to Black & Wiliam (1998), who initiated the increasingly hot discussion on this topic about ten years ago, formative assessment refers to “all those activities undertaken by teachers, and by the students in assessing themselves, which provide information to be used as feedback to modify the teaching and learning activities in which they are engaged” (p.2). It is believed that this type of assessment which is indeed a normal pedagogic practice in almost every classroom, if applied appropriately, can be very useful in helping students’ learning. But it is still not very clear that under what conditions and by what means formative assessment can be implemented effectively so that students’ learning can benefit from it. Through the preliminary investigation, I have found that continuous assessment approach is widely employed in the undergraduate EAP courses in HK, which makes the proposed study even more interesting because the literature has quite different opinions about the impact of continuous assessment on formative assessment. Some researchers believe that continuous assessment provides an ideal environment for the implementation of formative assessment; the others, on the contrary, hold that continuous assessment works again formative assessment. Therefore, I’d like to conduct a study investigating a) how formative assessment is implemented in the continuous assessment context in undergraduate EAP classrooms at Hong Kong universities and b) what background factors might influence the effectiveness of formative assessment on the students' academic English learning.

Any suggestions, comments, or questions concerning my research study from you is a great favor for me and very very welcome :)

Writing goal

Very much in Holiday mood, but try to finish: 1) a summary of some articles on identity; 2) revise paper; and 3) plan for the coming semester. Issa

Research topic & abstract

Title
In Search of Self: Understanding Teachers’ Professional Learning in the Community of TATEAL
Abstract
This study is concerned with an emerging community in southern China identifiable as Teachers and Teacher Educators in Action Learning (TATEAL), which has been a proactive force in the support of teacher learning and professional development across institutional boundaries for about seven years. Taking a microethnographic perspective to the discourse of the annual activities conducted in the community of TATEAL, this study intends to explore: 1) how teacher learning in TATEAL is discursively constructed in terms of knowledge and belief, social relations, and identity; and 2) what are the enablements and constraints to teacher learning in TATEAL. Narrative and discourse (specifically Foucault’s genealogical approach) are both used to understand teachers’ lived experiences from individual, collaborative and cultural perspectives in TATEAL, as well as to investigate the relations between discourse, power and knowledge of teacher learning in such context.
Issa

Karri's research topic and abstract

Peer- and self-assessment as tools to develop awareness of students’ oral communication strategies

Karri Lam

Abstract

The action research focuses on how peer- and self-assessments can develop the awareness of students’ oral communication strategies in group interactions. Three Hong Kong secondary teachers were involved in the study, two teaching secondary 1 and one teaching secondary 2. Similar processes were used throughout two cycles of the action research.

The research project consisted of a communication strategy worksheet and videos of sample oral discussion to stimulate student identification of suitable and unsuitable communication strategies in group interactions; the development of peer- and self- assessment worksheets for classroom use; and target setting with students focusing on areas such as eye contact, clarity and fluency of speech, and interaction with classmates.

The main means of data collection were classroom videos, student completion of peer- and self-evaluation forms, and focus group interviews with teachers and students. The expected findings may include: increased student awareness of the need to respond actively to other students’ utterances; the need for teacher guidiance in target setting; and increased confidence in students’ spoken English, although it was too soon to identify significant learning gains.

Jun's research topic and abstract

Research Topic: Students’ Perception of Spoken English Interaction at an EMI University in Asia
Research Abstract: English used as a medium of instruction plays an important role in internationalisation of tertiary education. An English-medium of instruction (EMI) tertiary institution, such as the University of Hong Kong, is ‘an international university with a multicultural and multilingual community’. The aim of the present research is to explore the role of spoken English for communication, learning and identity at an EMI university in Asia through case studies. Based on the analysis of a substantial body of qualitative data, it may be possible to a) understand and improve the spoken English interaction for Chinese students in terms of language development and the use of language, and b) equip teaching staff and education policy makers with useful information about, and better skills to deal with, Chinese learners in an EMI context.

Nicol's research topic and abstract

Topic: Pedagogical bodies & technological spaces: a critical study of ‘learning commons’ as a site for both collaborative learning and social interaction

Abstract: This study will investigate how the designated sites/areas carrying the function of ‘learning commons’ are used by teachers and students at the University of Hong Kong. The purpose of the study is to provide an in-depth and comprehensive review, examining aspects of usage, satisfaction, culture, and pedagogical effects arising from the experiences of teachers, and students who use and dwell in such a space. The study will address issues within four research foci, namely: pedagogical practice, cultural practice, social interactions and techno-spatial framework.


Definition of Learning Commons: ‘Learning Commons’ is described by the University of Hong Kong’s Knowledge Team as “an emerging concept in university communities around the world. In some places, they are called Information Commons. Learning Commons serve a one-stop shop location where students can study, learn, discuss, interact, and relax. The basic components of Learning Commons usually include reference and student workstations, collaborative learning rooms, electronic classrooms, multimedia workstations, consultation stations, writing lab and lounge. They are also open for extended hours, sometimes 24x7.” Also stated in the Executive Summary of the Knowledge Team’s report and recommendation (2006), the major goal of a Learning Commons is “to transform the educational experience given its undergraduates, to give them opportunities to learn skills needed to compete in our rapidly changing environment, to be able to engage in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary collaboration, to be able to interact with the world outside the University, to learn democratic values, and to learn critical language and ICT skills.” (p. 2). The Learning Commons is therefore, envisioned by the University governing bodies as a physical facility that support the above mentioned kinds of ‘student-centered’ or ‘learner-centered’ approach to teaching and learning in higher education

Greetings and my goal from 1st, Jan ---6th,Jan

Dear All:

How are you? Haven't met you for quite a long time. Wish all of you a nice new year!

In the past 10 days, i actually idled a lot, and i feel much guilty now. I will meet my supervisor on 8th, Jan, so i guess i'd better post my goals for next week here and make learning a daily routine.

My goals are as follows:

1.Finish a refined chapter of possible research methodology.
2. Finish reading a book which will soon be overdue.

Please ask me whether i have achieved my goals next time when we meet:). Thanks.


JESSICA