Abstract

Programme review is an important component in the quality assurance of teaching and learning. Noting its impact, CUHK has conducted periodic programme views of its programmes. Three cycles of review of the undergraduate programmes are completed and preparation work for the next programme review will start soon.

The outcomes of a programme review cycle impact on what and how teaching and learning quality could be enhanced. Whether such outcomes could be attained hinges upon the quality of the process of the exercise, i.e., the manner in which the review is conducted, the readiness of both the reviewers and reviewees, the information to be collected for review, etc.

The project is formulated against this background and its major aim is to better prepare programme personnel and reviewers-to-be for the upcoming programme review. Three specific objectives are intended – (1) to enhance the understanding of programme management personnel and reviewers-to-be regarding the responsibilities and tasks expected of their respective roles in the review exercise; (2) to present examples of good practices identified in previous programme reviews; and (3) to ensure consistency in assessing programme quality (for reviewers-to-be). Eventually it is anticipated that the teachers of CUHK who manage programmes and who review programme quality will understand more the following: good practices in teaching and learning, programme management and what quality assurance involves and how it is conducted in an open and fair manner. Such understanding will be transferred to their own teaching and programme management.

Expectable deliverables include online resources packages and workshop sessions.

Brief write-up

Project objectives

The project was designed to better prepare programme personnel and reviewers-to-be for the CUHK programme review cycles. Three specific objectives were intended –
1. to enhance the understanding of programme management personnel and reviewers-to-be regarding the responsibilities and tasks expected of their respective roles in the review exercise;
2. to present examples of good practices identified in previous programme reviews; and
3. to ensure consistency in assessing programme quality (for reviewers-to-be).

Activities, process and outcomes

1. Collecting and conducting content analysis of ten programme review documents including self-evaluation documents and programme review reports to identify both good and less desirable practices
2. Developing two web-based resources packages – one for programme personnel and one for reviewers
3. Conducting two workshops – one for programme personnel and one for reviewers (to be conducted when the next programme review cycle starts)

Deliverables and evaluation

1. Two web-based resources packages – one for programme personnel and one for reviewers – are developed. Good practices on both programme management and programme review exercise are included. Feedback on the packages will be collected via informal exchanges with users.
2. Two workshops will be organized for both programme personnel and reviewers. Feedback on the workshops will be collected via the feedback collection mechanism of the Centre for Learning Enhancement And Research (CLEAR).

Dissemination, diffusion, impact and sharing of good practices

Good practices in programme management and programme review are disseminated via the web-based resources packages and workshops.

Impact on teaching and learning

Project outcomes will enhance the quality of the programme review exercise, which in turn, will impact on the teaching and learning and the quality of educational experiences to be provided to CUHK students.