A Study of the Impact of Outcome-based Curriculum on Student Learning Outcomes
(TDG 2005/09)

Leader: Prof. Albert Chan [BRE]
Leader's email: baschan@inet.polyu.edu.hk
Other Members: Prof. K.T. Chau [CSE], Dr. T.M. Chung [BSE], Prof. Esmond Mok [LSGI], Dr. K.W. Chan [CSE], Mrs. Ann Cheung [BRE], Dr. Linda Fan [BRE], Dr. Bruce King [LSGI], Dr. Patrick Lai [EDC]

Objectives:

The proposed project aims to examine the impact of Outcome-based curriculum (OBC) on engineering/surveying education. The primary focus of the project is to study the impact of OBC on the learning outcomes of Faculty of Construction and Land Use (FCLU) students. The research objectives are to:

• critically review the concepts of OBC;
• identify the corresponding strategies adopted by the four departments within FCLU in implementing OBC;
• investigate changes, if any, in the learning and teaching culture in implementing OBC;
• explore the impact of OBC on organizational and education policies and practices;
• study the impact of OBC on student learning outcomes in the FCLU programmes; and
• develop a best practice mechanism in implementing OBC.

Remarks:

Outcomes & Deliverables:

• A Study of the Impact of Outcome-based Curriculum on Student Learning Outcomes: Report on First-Phase Interview with Academic Staff of FCLU (2007)
• A Study of the Impact of Outcome-based Curriculum on Student Learning Outcomes: Report on Second-Phase Interview with Academic Staff of FCLU: Teachers'Current Practice (2007)
• A Study of the Impact of Outcome-based Curriculum on Student Learning Outcomes: Report on Interview with department heads of FCLU: Organizational and Education Policies and Strategies (2008)
• A Study of the Impact of Outcome-based Curriculum on Student Learning Outcomes: First Student Survey Report: Self-assessment of All-Round Development (SAARD) (2007)
• A Study of the Impact of Outcome-based Curriculum on Student Learning Outcomes: Second Student Survey Report: Self-assessment of All-Round Development (SAARD) (2008)
• A Study of the Impact of Outcome-based Curriculum on Student Learning Outcomes: Case-study Report of the BRE Work-Integrated Education (WIE) Programme: Impact of OBC on Student Learning Outcomes (2008)
• A Study of the Impact of Outcome-based Curriculum on Student Learning Outcomes: OBC Project Forum Report: A Best Practice Mechanism in Implementing OBC (2008) (attached with a video)
• Chan, A.P.C., Chau, K.T., Mok, E., Chung, T.M., Cheung, A.A.C., Lai, P., & Chan, C.H. (2007). A research framework for assessing outcome-based curriculum on student performance. Paper presented in the ASAIHL Conference 2007 on Undergraduate Education: Significance, Curriculum Design, and Quality Assurance 9-11 May (pp. 41-42). Lingnan University, Hong Kong.
• Lam, S.Y.W., & Chan, A.P.C. (2007). Sustainable curriculum for geomatics higher education. Paper presented at FIG Commission 2 - Symposium on Secientia Est Potentia - Knowledge is Poser 7-9 June (pp. 77-84). Czech Technical University, Prague, Czech Republic.
• Chan, A.P.C., Lo, A.A.C., & Ma, L.S.Y. (2007). Outcome-based curriculum - impact on tertiary education. Paper presented at the 2007 Conference of the Australasian Universities Building Education Association (AUBEA). In R. Kenley (Ed.), Australian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship, Swinburne University of Technology July 4-5,2007 (pp. 95-104). Melbourne, Australia.
• Chan, A.P.C., & Chan, C.H. (2009). A new outcome-based curriculum: Its impact on student core competence. Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, 1(2), 24-32.
• Faculty seminars to disseminate findings and practices in Outcome-Based Curriculum
• OBC Project Website