FH Sharing Session on a Small Scale Learning & Teaching Development Project Dr. Joe Ching, ELC

DETAILS OF PROJECT Title: “A study to investigate the effectiveness of an incentive scheme to develop students’ independent language learning skills” Field: Independent Language Learning Amount allocated: HK$35,000 Duration: 9 months

PROJECT OBJECTIVES This project has focused on: 1.the analysis of the effectiveness of the Bronze Award Scheme in helping students to develop independent language learning skills, and to identify areas of improvement, and

PROJECT OBJECTIVES 2. revision of the Scheme so that it can serve well as a source of extrinsic motivation for independent language learning.

Three Phases of the Project: I: Development (Sept Feb 2011) II: Implementation (Feb – March 2011) III: Data Analysis and Report (April – June 2011)

Difficulties encountered Increased workload for CILL teachers and counter staff Only five candidates applied for the Project Assistant (part-time) post This small number of applications limited the choice for recruiting high caliber support staff The project progress was slightly affected, and less money was actually spent

Difficulties encountered The number of successful bronze awardees is smaller than the originally planned number the number of hours and expenses spent on collecting feedback from the participants has been further reduced resulting in quite a large amount of budget balance.

Quality of Deliverable(s) 1.Quantitative and qualitative data were obtained mainly from questionnaire surveys and semi-structured interviews.

Quality of Deliverable(s) 2. The findings will be used as a guide to analyse the effectiveness of the Scheme for the provision of insights on how to foster independent language learning for students to equip themselves with language skills to communicate in the workplace or future studies.

Impact of the Project 1.Its results confirm the importance of developing an incentive scheme to develop students’ independent language learning skills.

Impact of the Project 2. Participants agree that the bronze award scheme can serve as a tool to develop an increased awareness of their independent learning skills, including e-learning, analytical thinking skills and strategy for learning.

Impact of the Project 3. This study has also provided information useful for guiding practices in improving the existing bronze award scheme.

Impact of the Project 4. Some argue that the method of using the folders to record the independent learning process could be adopted for the silver award scheme in providing out-of-class English practice opportunities. In response to participants’ view, the incentive scheme activities could be utilized as ‘class-based’ learning tasks.

Impact of the Project 5. Some recommendations are made by some bronze awardees on what resources can be added to make CILL a more comfortable and supportive English learning environment.

Impact of the Project 6. The project also provides some insights on how students can be encouraged to both improve their English language skills, and to develop their independent learning skills and strategies.

Impact of the Project 7. All participants also agree that the CILL website is useful for fostering continual online opportunity for language learning.

Impact on Learning Process 1.Participants were taught how to do needs analysis, and decide for themselves when to study, their pace of study and type of materials that they use, and the type of learning tasks that they do. This in part contributed to students’ higher awareness of their language abilities, and in turn enhanced attention to deploy appropriate learning strategies to fulfill the identified goals.

Impact on Learning Process 2. Our project findings reflect that the bronze award scheme may be modified to support and extend ongoing independent language learning. Participants found it very useful to follow a set of systematic guidelines to enhance their motivation to learn essential English language skills in order to communicate effectively for further studies or career advancement.

Conclusion 1. The findings show that the bronze award scheme is effective in helping students to develop independent language learning skills.

Conclusion 2. More emphasis could be placed on allowing students to choose CILL study worksheets. This increased understanding will help the CILL modify the Scheme to reduce the proportion of using the book “The Study Skills Handbook”. This might meet the genuine needs and equip students of the Polytechnic University with necessary skills for independent language learning, and enhance their ability to self-assess their language ability.

Conclusion 3. It is advisable to provide more training and support for the CILL counter staff to understand the Scheme in order to answer enquiries raised by the participants in an appropriate manner.

Thanks! Q & A