Description

The Teaching Quality Discussion Forum series aim at providing an informal but interactive sharing and discussion platform on issues related to teaching and learning at HTI. 

Example of Application

Since its inception in February 2010, a total of 16 sessions of TQDF have been conducted over a period of two years. These sessions are open to all teachers within the department, who are invited to suggest topics to be added. Participating colleagues focus on one or two issues of concerns and issues arisen during each session. After each session, a written summary of the topics discussed was written and sent to all colleagues for comments and further discussion. 

To ensure the topics to be discussed would be both important and relevant to the colleagues, a survey on the Instructional Challenges Inventory was conducted. Based on the results, a list of top instructional challenges was compiled and prioritized. Subsequent sessions of TQDF were offered as follow-ups on the most common and important instructional challenges that the colleagues have identified through the survey. 

Evaluation/ Comments

The Forum and the whole process has been reviewed carefully and a number of things were identified:

• The discussion forum series has provided a better understanding of teaching practices adopted by the teachers. Meanwhile, they were found to be able to help to improve teaching quality at both individual and departmental levels.
• The adopted scholarly and collegial approach to teaching and the adoption of more effective teaching practices have helped to create an environment where teaching can flourish and good teaching practice can be recognized.
• Common and important instructional issues were identified and solutions were sought.
• Strategic mentoring was offered to less experienced colleagues to help them become better teachers.