This pilot study examined the use of portfolios for assessment purposes in the context of initial teacher education. Specifically, the study set out to identify the impact of the use of portfolios on teaching and learning outcomes. Reported here are the findings, the constraints and initial results, and learning outcomes for pre-service teachers and their lecturers. The significant implications for teacher educators are that they need to continue to develop and implement assessment for learning and devote more time and effort to this form of evaluation for formative purposes. Staff must understand that the implementation of portfolio use requires corresponding changes to pedagogy and the curriculum. The use of portfolios for assessment purposes in teacher education can enhance reflective practice if teacher educators understand their role in developing a structured environment where their students are given support and guidance to attain the skills of critical self-reflection and independence in their learning.
[Copyright © 1998 Routledge.]

This paper is based on research conducted at the Hong Kong Institute of Education with students in teacher training programs. Students in classes were surveyed to indicate the impact on their learning of the innovative use of teams by their non-native speaking lecturers. Traditional methods in the Hong Kong teacher education setting seldom involve teaming (Morris, 1995). Research on changes such as teaming indicates that they can more rapidly be carried out in Quality environment (Bryant, 1995). Experts in research on change and innovation indicate that there are at least 4 dimensions from which to study an educational innovation, such as teaming in a traditional educational setting such as Hong Kong: from the teacher's perspective, how the innovation is used in the classroom to enhance learning, the leadership role of effective change facilitators, and the various forms the innovation can take (Hord, Rutherford, Huling-Astin, & Hall; 1987). In addition the use of teams in the Hong Kong teacher education program will be studied in relation to model such as the Concerns Based Adoption Model (C-BAM) based on many years of intensive, school-based research (Hord, 1997), as well as from a Quality model (Deming. 1986). These diverse aspects will begin to shed light on how the use of an innovation such as teaming can impact the student learning. Initial findings indicate that student learning is enhanced through the use of teaming. Students report that they find working with their peers beneficial. They report learning not only course content, but also communication strategies. Students also identified many concerns and barriers that need to be addressed in the Hong Kong setting that need to be dealt with to make teaming more successful.

Teacher education is currently on the reform agenda where it needs to be, given the current status and working conditions of teachers in Hong Kong. Rationale of the design of teacher education program is under heated debate among players in education. One of the SIG (study interest group) in HKIEd in curriculum development and implementation would like to share their findings concerning issues that confront teachers and teacher educators. This symposium aims to discuss teacher education from several angles. It will discuss teacher education from the educational leader's perspectives; compare perception of training needs for primary school teachers between school practitioners and educators; and explore program development strategy for teacher education. Results from quantitative and qualitative surveys will be used as a base for the discussion. Perspectives of the players in education on impression, expectation, quality, strengths and weakness of teacher education are described. Suggestions for reform and proposed models for teacher education program are offered. Findings discussed in the symposium may be helpful in the preparation of future teacher education program.

This paper reports on a pilot study research conducted at the Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd) with student teachers and their teaching practice supervisors. Difference between supervisory discourse of native speaking (Cantonese) and non-native speaking (English) supervisors are explained using a Student Mediation Model to explore how Cantonese students learn from their English speaking supervisors. The research focuses on the nature and quality of student-supervisor discourse to determine whether what is perceived is what is intended. The results may be a model of staff development. Theories of Communication, Semiotics and Symbolic Interaction, as well as interpersonal and intercultural theories are also applied to the model. A survey of HKIEd students in spring 1996 revealed their need to be briefed on the communication style impact of non-native speaking supervisors. If there is misunderstanding between student expectations and supervisory behaviour a need for staff development for supervisors would be indicated. Staff development research indicates that successful implementation calls for staff development for the supervisors. Early analysis of the data has begun to reveal that there is indeed a difference and dissonance in what the students receive related to what the supervisors are sending. Continuing analysis will occur over this summer with a full report for the conference.

This paper is based on research conducted at the Hong Kong Institute of Education with student teachers. The paper outlines the implementation of portfolio assessment by some lecturers of the Curriculum and Instruction Department. The portfolio, which incorporates critical self-assessment, is discussed and presented as an alternative form of assessment. This form of assessment provides student teachers with the opportunity to demonstrate their progress in learning and metacognitive skills. This research was conducted using qualitative methodology to study the processes involved in portfolio assessment and the values which underlie the new assessment methods. Teaching sessions were observed, interviews of students and their lecturers were conducted, and documentary evidence (such as the teaching portfolios and students self-assessments) were examined. The findings include an analysis of the implementation of the process of portfolio assessment, the supports and constraints which impacted on the implementation, and the student learning outcomes. The research was funded by the Hong Kong Institute of Education.