Asia-Pacific Forum on Science Learning and Teaching, Volume 1, Issue 2, Article 2 (Dec., 2000) CHENG May Hung, May; SO Wing Mui, Winnie; CHEUNG Wing Ming, Francis The Assessment of Science Learning in Schools in Hong Kong: the status quo and future directions Previous Contents Next

Method

This study involved both primary and secondary teachers. At the primary level, six General Studies^[2] teachers from two participating pilot primary schools currently teaching the primary four level were invited to provide information for the present study. At the secondary level, eight teachers teaching biology at secondary four and science at secondary two levels from four secondary schools were interviewed. The interview questions focused on finding out: their current practices in assigning students' work; factors influencing how teachers assign students' work; the performance criteria that they set on students' work, the feedback they provided for the students, their views about science assessment and their opinions on alternative forms of science assessment. These interviews were conducted as part of an international project named Schools Around the World, the aim of which is to enhance teachers' professionalism through the setting of performance standards in science. In order to design workshops and stimulate teachers' professional discussion about science, interviews were conducted in the pilot phase of the project. With the findings of teachers' views about the assessment of science learning, the project team may design teacher development opportunities that are tailor-made to their needs, concerns and present understandings. In this project, the participating teachers were also asked to share their students' works, marking criteria and comments with their colleagues locally and internationally. Students' work to be shared include all different forms of tasks that the teachers assigned, and may be formative or summative assessment tasks conducted during or after the lessons. The teachers were interviewed at their schools and the interviews were translated and transcribed in English.

Footnote [2]: General Studies is a subject that includes learning in Science, Health Education and Social Studies at the primary level in Hong Kong.