Bronze Winner in the “K12" category

We are happy to announce that we have been approved by the Education Bureau of Hong Kong (EDB ) to launch a Quality Education Fund (QEF) Project entitled “Developing Active Learning Pedagogies and Mobile Applications in Secondary School Mathematics Education“.

Extensive evidence-based research has shown that active learning is highly beneficial for students by improving student academic performance, and by promoting an engaging and creative environment stimulating higher-order thinking and metacognition. Combined with technology, accessible even by standard tablets and laptops, a learning environment is created that is suitable both in online and face-to-face formats that unlock the full potential of students.

Drawing on the experience gained after successful implementation of the PALMS Project in a tertiary setting, this QEF Project aims to apply and extend parallel innovative active pedagogies with corresponding PALMS e-tools (e.g.,  YoTeach!, Badaboom! and online whiteboards) in the secondary school setting in Mathematics education.  We are especially encouraged to do this due to our promising results observed after piloting our “Collaborative Problem Based Learning and Peer-Assessment (Co-PBLa-PA)" active pedagogy using interactive online whiteboards with a couple of math classes at Yuen Long Merchants Association Secondary School.

For collaborators in this project, we provide onsite pedagogical and technological support to implement active learning with the aid of technology in the classroom. Our team will develop relevant lesson plans and support its implementation for teachers. These lesson include the following new and improved active pedagogies with their related apps:

1. A new fun and collaborative, problem-based learning and peer assessment teaching method utilizing online whiteboards;
2. Interactive in-class activities using YoTeach!, a PALMS developed backchannel chatroom and drawing app;
3. Gamified problem-based learning through Badaboom!, a Kahoot!-like platform which can implement math expressions and equations.

Together, we hope we can give math students more enjoyment in learning, showcase the powerful impact these learning strategies have on students’ learning outcomes, and build a collegial community of teachers dedicated to educational growth and development.

A selection of lesson plans and teaching materials using PALMS tools for technology-enabled active learning can be previewed at the following links: 

– QEF Sample Active Learning Lesson Plans with Teaching Materials

– Other Lesson Plans Using PALMS tools

– Collaborative Problem-Based Learning and Peer Assessment (Co-PBLa-PA)

1. Chan, L.C., Shroff, R.H., Ting, F.S.T., Tsang, W.K., Garcia, R.C.C., (2021) “Assessing the Effects of a Collaborative Problem-based Learning and Peer Assessment Method on Junior Secondary Students’ Learning Approaches in Mathematics Using Interactive Online Whiteboards during the COVID-19 Pandemic”, accepted into the Int. Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation
2. “Conceptualisation, measurement and preliminary validation of learners’ collaborative problem-based learning and peer assessment strategies in a technology-enabled context", submitted, (under fourth cycle of revision)

1. Effective use of information technology to enhance students’ self-directed learning efficiency in mathematics

   Fanling Salvation College Vice Principal Poon Shuk Kwan and Teacher Wong Kam Ye, Tuesday, July 12, 2022, FLASS EduHK Online Classes Platform EOCP https://eocp2.eduhk.hk/

2. “YoTeach! What Are Some New e-Tools We Can Use to Enhance Active Learning in Our Classes?" 5th annual e-Resources Roundtable and Poster Conference, HumBOL Project, EduHK, July 2022
3. “Innovative PALMS drawing pedagogies and apps to increase active learning in Mathematics and Science”, Excellent Teachers on Teaching Excellence Symposium, Jan. ‘22
4. Badaboom! showcase at InnoCarnival @ Hong Kong Science Park, PolyU Pavilion, October 23 to 31, 2021, see https://twitter.com/PolyU_PALMS/status/1453914081799417857?t=IUFddfD1fR9LDQ9nLN-MtQ&s=19
5. “The benefits of using drawing and artificially intelligent math hand-writing recognition apps on students’ performance in STEM related subjects” (Paper ID: 168) under the strand “STEM Education and Artificial Intelligence Education” to The International Conference on Learning and Teaching 2021 (ICLT2021), Dec ‘21
6. “Collaborative Problem-Based Learning and Peer Assessment (Co-PBLa-PA) – a Robust Novel Active Pedagogy for F2F, Hybrid and Online Modes”, CUHK Learning and Teaching Expo, July 29, 2021
7. QEF Virtual Symposium “Challenges, Opportunities and Lessons Learned in Implementing Active Learning Pedagogies during the COVID-19 Pandemic", July 15, 2021, PolyU

If you are interested in joining or learning more about this project, please let us know by contacting winky.tsang@polyu.edu.hk and polyupalms.qef2020@gmail.com.

For other general inquiries on active learning with the aid of technology, you are most welcome to reach out to our PALMS team at palms.hk@polyu.edu.hk.