NOTICE: Due to unforeseenable  reasons, the following symposium is postponed. Rescheduled date and venue are to be advised in the near future! During this course, please keep an eye to our updated information on  this website or through our university bulk email!  Apologize for any inconvenience incurred and thanks for your understanding!__________________________________________________________________________________________

Symposium: Peer learning, dialogic feedback and technology

Speakers: Professor David Carless, Dr  Timothy Hew Khe-Foon

Date: To be advised

Time: To be advised

Venue: To be advised

Discussant: Professor Dai Hounsell

Chair: Dr Jingyan Lu

Introduction

Feedback is centrally important to student learning but difficult to carry out effectively. In this Symposium, two scholars will share their research on peer feedback. One speaker will focus on the nature of feedback and possible strategies and challenges in developing effective peer feedback; the other will synthesize his research in examining peer feedback in online forums and discuss the critical factors to consider when developing technology-enhanced feedback.

Talk 1: Promoting student engagement with feedback (by Professor David Carless)

Feedback is centrally important to student learning but difficult to carry out effectively. From the student perspective, challenges are manifold and include: comprehensibility of feedback; timeliness of feedback; and difficulties using feedback. A possible way forward is a new paradigm which sees feedback processes as being dialogic in nature. Dialogic feedback involves iterative processes in which interpretations are shared, meanings clarified and uptake promoted. Some strategies and challenges in developing dialogic feedback processes are discussed, including possibilities for technology-enhanced feedback. I conclude with an aspiration for sustainable feedback in which peer learning and the development of student self-regulation are central pillars.

 About the speaker

David Carless is Professor of Educational Assessment in the Faculty of Education, University of Hong Kong. His main research interest is assessment for learning. He has published a number of articles and a co-edited book on feedback in higher education. His next book entitled Excellence in University Assessment: Learning from award-winning practice will be published by Routledge in April.

Talk 2: Promoting peer feedback in computer-mediated discussion environments: Critical factors (Dr. Timothy Khe-Foon Hew)

Peer feedback plays an important role in student learning because it provides the opportunity for participants to consider and evaluate alternative perspectives. The use of computer-mediated technologies allows students to give feedback and interact with one another without the constraints of time and place. One of the most commonly used discussions is the online forum. However, many previous studies have lamented the scarcity of peer feedback in online forums. In this presentation, I synthesize my work over the last decade or so which examines peer feedback in online forums. I specifically discuss the critical factors that could promote the following three outcomes: (a) frequency of student contribution, (b) sustainability of peer discussion, and (c) higher-levels of knowledge construction.

About the speaker

Timothy Khe-Foon Hew  is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at HKU. His research interests include e-learning and blended learning strategies; and computer-supported interactions. He has won research grants amounting over HK$3.8 million as a principal or co-principal investigator. His two latest books are: Student Participation in Online Discussions: Challenges, Solutions, and Future Research (2012), and Using Blended Learning: Evidence-based Practices (2014). Both books are published by Springer.

The formal event will start at 12:3. Sandwiches and drinks will be provided at 12:00 n.n. You are encouraged to come in earlier and have a chat! 

All are welcome!