Introduction

Rationale

The Learning Oriented Assessment Project (LOAP) is a 3-year UGC-funded project which involves collaboration among several tertiary institutions in Hong Kong. LOAP focuses on developing awareness and good practices in learning-oriented assessment in the context of higher education in Hong Kong. The rationale for a focus on the learning aspects of assessment is essentially four-fold:

The learning of students is very much driven by the assessments that they undertake.

Good assessment practices create positive washback,i.e., the desired learning outcomes.

Assessment has been identified both locally and internationally as a key area for tertiary educators' professional development. In Hong Kong, assessment is designated by the UGC as a focus area for the teaching and learning quality process review (TLQPR).

Modeling and promoting good assessment practices will enhance the quality and culture of assessment, which has been identified as a major barrier to improving education in Hong Kong.

Back to TOP

Objectives

The Learning Oriented Assessment Project (LOAP) seeks to:

Create more awareness of the role formative assessment plays in student learning and tertiary teaching;

Develop experimentation and trialing of innovative assessment practices designed to enhance learning;

Disseminate and promote effective assessment practices.

Back to TOP

Outcomes

The main outcomes of the learning oriented assessment project (LOAP) will be:

1.	A resource pack consisting of tried and tested learning-oriented assessment ideas and tools in various disciplines.
2.	Reports/papers on assessment issues in higher education (e.g., perceived differences between educators' and learners' conceptions of assessment).
3.	Reports/papers on best practices and action research.
4.	Action research teams involving local expertise and overseas consultants.
5.	Consultation and seminars given by overseas consultants.
6.	Seminars in various UGC institutions.
7.	List of websites related to learning-oriented assessment.
8.	Bibliographies on learning-oriented assessment.

Back to TOP

Definition of key terms

Learning-oriented assessment seeks to emphasize that a fundamental purpose of assessment should be to promote learning.

Learning-oriented assessment mirrors formative assessment and assessment for learning processes. It can be defined as actions undertaken by teachers and/or students, which provide feedback for the improvement of teaching and learning.

Learning-oriented assessment contrasts with equally important measurement-focused approaches to assessment.

Back to TOP

[Home] [Introduction] [About Us] [Useful Practices] [Action Research Teams] [LOAC] [Sourcebook] [AEQ] [Events] [Publication] [Reports] [Links] [Survey]

Created: 12 March 2003
Last modified: 10 January 2005
Authorised by: Principal supervisor for LOAP
Maintained by: Centre for Integrating Technology in Education (CITIE),
The Hong Kong Institute of Education and LOAP
Email: loap@ied.edu.hk