Adopting an effective professional development programme for teacher educators to enhance outcome-based learning in their practices

In the past two years, a series of professional development activities had been launched in the Institute to support the OBL initiative. All academic and teaching staff in departments and centres are encouraged to adopt an integrative approach to course design and implementation through professional development seminars, forums, workshops, sharing sessions and consultancies. These professional development activities focus on the constructive alignment of teaching, learning and assessment of students' expected learning outcomes. Prior to piloting the course trial-out, staff from departments have the opportunity to learn from a host of experts on the curriculum components like teaching strategies, design of learning activities, formulating assessment tasks, as well as deliberating on issues and concerns about OBL-related practices. Sharing sessions were coordinated for the pilot course tutors to report on the success and pitfalls of their trial-run. Staff consultants from the OBL Unit have been assigned to departments to assist in their course design and course revision. It is envisaged that the design and operation of this relevant and sustainable professional development programme can serve as an exemplar to other institutions that intend to adopt the OBL initiative.