1.2 - Improving student learning
A central purpose of SSE is to improve students' learning. This means integrating SSE into the daily work of classrooms and outside the classroom in extra-curricular activities and in ongoing support, mentoring and coaching with teachers. Hong Kong schools have taken different approaches to achieve the same end.
In these excerpts two different viewpoints are offered on what the school does to understand and better provide for student learning and learning difficulties.
Having watched both consider (or discuss as a group)
- How different is this from what you already do in your school?
- What might you learn from practice in this school?
Strategy of promoting readingStrategy of promoting reading (QuickTime)
Ms Wan Wai Fan, Chinese Subject chair, PLK Fung Ching Memorial Primary School
"7 or 8 years ago, teachers of Chinese already noticed problems that students might face in class. After collating these problems, we planned to tackle different problems in different year levels..."
Use of assessment data to inform teachingUse of assessment data to inform teaching (QuickTime)
Ms Wan Wai Fan, Chinese Subject chair, PLK Fung Ching Memorial Primary School
"About data collection, we would crop the data of students' performance of certain reading skills from their exercises and various parts of the exam papers..."
In this excerpt the principal describes demonstration of student learning and a unique form of feedback. How might you draw on this example in your own school or classroom context?
Celebration/display of student achievementsCelebration/display of student achievements (QuickTime)
Ms Lam Wai Ling, Principal, Tai Po Old Market Public School (Plover Cove)
"Our students took part in a leadership training programme. At one of the exhibitions, they were very enthusiastic in demonstrating to visitors what they had done..."
Here a principal describes two ways of building relationships between teachers and students and between teachers and parents. In what ways would you see this as benefiting student learning.
School support for student developmentSchool support for student development (QuickTime)
Mr Lee Sai Kee, Principal, HKTA Yuen Yuen Institute No. 3 Secondary School
"We put in a lot of efforts to enhance teacher-student relationship. We have a heart-to-heart scheme, where a teacher can meet with 8 students every Friday after school to chat for an hour or so..."
SSE encourages students to talk more reflectively and critically about their learning. You may wish to listen to their views