The Use of Information Technology to Enhance the Quality of Teaching and Learning in Social Work Practicum: An Example from the City University of Hong Kong

SUMMARY

One of the thorny issues in social work practicum training is how to maintain fairness in assessment. To address this issue, a grade moderation system was set up. Digital practicum portfolios and on-line assessment were used through the Web CT platform. Two amendments were made: (1) password control to protect access rights and privacy; (2) assessment data transfer through Common Gateway Interface (CGI) to conduct automatic descriptive statistical analysis for monitoring possible deviations from the grading standard. A feedback system was built to enhance the quality of teaching using students' survey data. To promote the quality of learning in this individualized teaching mode, the Social Work Practice Teaching, Learning, and Research site was constructed.

KEYWORDS:

• Practicum
• assessment
• practice teaching and learning
• Web CT