Applied Learning Course Learning Outcomes
Chapter 5 Assessment
5.6 Standards and Reporting of Results
The assessment results of Applied Learning subjects will be recorded in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education transcript. Candidates’
performances will be reported in two levels: ‘Attained’ and ‘Attained with Distinction’.
A set of written descriptors will be developed for the ‘Attained’ level that describes what a typical candidate of a particular Applied Learning subject performing at this level is able to do. The principle behind these descriptors is that they describe what typical candidates can do, not what they cannot do.
These descriptors will necessarily represent ‘on-average’ statements and may not apply precisely to individuals, whose performance within an Applied
Learning subject may vary. Samples of students’ work at the ‘Attained’ level may be used to illustrate the standards expected of them. These samples, when used together with the written descriptors, will illustrate the standards expected.
Regarding the level of ‘Attained with Distinction’, it has been recommended that the award be comparable with other Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education subjects. In this regard, a rigorous comparability analysis has to be in place. Those students awarded ‘Attained with Distinction’ will be deemed to have performed at a level comparable to the Standards-referenced Reporting of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education at Level 3 or above.
Appendix 1
Examples of Subject Plans and Activities Relevant to the Implementation of Applied Learning
In Secondary 4, the knowledge acquired in the senior secondary subjects acts as a foundation for the study of Applied Learning. At the same time, the study of Applied Learning can benefit students’ learning in other senior secondary subjects. Here are some examples of the proposed plans and learning activities in a number of senior secondary subjects for implementing Applied Learning:
A) Core Subjects
Core Subjects
Examples of Planning/Activities for Implementing Applied Learning
Chinese Language
若學校提供應用學習課程，教師亦宜配合學校所開設的課程設計中國 語文科的學習內容，以幫助學生掌握相關職業所需的知識和能力，如 學校開設「商業、管理及法律」範疇的課程，可於中國語文科開設選
修單元時，加入與商貿相關的元素，如在「普通話傳意和應用」，設計
以商業為題的情境；又如在「多媒體與應用寫作」，學習公關寫作，以
促進學生對有關行業的認識。
English Language
In the three-year senior secondary curriculum, Applied Learning is designed to provide learners with opportunities to explore and develop their potential talents and career interests. Following the recommendations in the Senior Secondary Curriculum Guide (2009), the three-year senior secondary English Language curriculum supports the learners of Applied Learning by helping them to develop the language knowledge and skills relevant to work in different sectors of the economy.
The Compulsory Part of the curriculum introduces learners to a number of work-related topics through a broad range of themes (e.g.
study, school life and work, technology, cultures of the world). It provides a variety of learning activities and tasks (including those related to work) to enhance learners’ language ability and to develop a wide range of generic skills and world knowledge that they can use in Applied Learning. In the Elective Part, the module “Learning English through Workplace Communication” provides further opportunities for learners who might want to pursue a vocational training path to learn and apply their knowledge and skills in workplace contexts.
Core Subjects
Examples of Planning/Activities for Implementing Applied Learning
Mathematics
For students taking an Applied Learning course as an elective subject, Mathematics teachers are encouraged to incorporate more contextualised examples related to the Applied Learning course to assist students in the elective subject. This, in turn, will benefit the learning and teaching of Mathematics, as these students will have opportunities to apply mathematical knowledge in related Applied Learning contexts.
For students taking elective subjects or courses in Applied Learning which require a foundation knowledge of Mathematics, teachers may allocate more lesson time in Secondary 4 and relatively less lesson time in Secondary 5 and Secondary 6 on Mathematics to facilitate the learning and teaching of the elective subjects or the Applied Learning courses concerned.
Liberal Studies
In the three-year senior secondary curriculum, this Liberal Studies curriculum provides a nexus of connections between other core subjects, elective subjects, Applied Learning, and other learning experiences.
B) Elective Subjects Elective
Subjects
Examples of Planning/Activities for Implementing Applied Learning
Economics (Personal, Social and Humanities Education)
This Economics curriculum blends well with courses which prepare students with practical skills for employment in the service sector.
Students taking Applied Learning courses together with Economics in Secondary 4 – Secondary 6 are adequately prepared for this pathway. Alternative avenues such as sub-degree programmes and qualifications offered by professional institutions in their respective fields also exist.
Biology (Science Education)
Business, Accounting and
Financial Studies (Technology Education)
In the Business, Accounting and Financial Studies curriculum, the compulsory part provides students with essential business knowledge and concepts, preparing them to further their studies through the elective part or Applied Learning courses.
At Secondary 4, Business, Accounting and Financial Studies teachers may collaborate with the co-ordinators of Applied Learning courses to organise induction activities to support students in making informed decisions about their study options. For example, a sharing session with students who are studying business-related Applied Learning courses or guest lectures by Applied Learning course providers might complement students’ knowledge in studying business at senior secondary level.
and /or and
/or
and /or Biology
Foundation topics of the compulsory part
Chemistry Foundation topics of the compulsory part
Physics Foundation topics of the compulsory part
Other elective subject(s)
Other options
Option 4
Combined Science (Biology, Physics)
+ Chemistry OR Combined
Science (Chemistry, Biology)+ Physics
and/or elective subject(s) from other Key Learning
Areas and/or Applied Learning
courses Biology
compulsory part
&
elective part + elective subject(s) from
other Key Learning Areas
and/or Applied Learning
courses Option 3 Biology
compulsory part
&
elective part + Combined
Science (Physics, Chemistry) Option 2 Biology
compulsory part
&
elective part + Chemistry and/or Physics
Option 1 Secondary 4
Exploring different inclinations
Secondary 5 and Secondary 6 Engaging in different areas of interest
Elective Subjects
Examples of Planning/Activities for Implementing Applied Learning
BAFS = Business, Accounting and Financial Studies ICT = Information and Communication Technology DAT = Design and Applied Technology
Visual Arts (Arts
Education)
Knowledge of and skills in art – such as visual elements, principles of organisation, observation skills, and skills for art appreciation and criticism – can be applied to and strengthen students’ learning in other subjects such as Literature, Liberal Studies, Design and Applied Technology and Applied Learning.
The study of Visual Arts together with Music, Design and Applied Technology or Applied Learning contributes to the building up of a fundamental base preparing students for development in creative industries, such as fashion design, product design, interior design, image design, visual communication, advertising, and multimedia, web-page, television, theatre and film production.
Physical Education (Physical Education)
Based on their interests and career aspirations, some students may opt for Physical Education-oriented Applied Learning courses in Secondary 5 and focus more on practical knowledge about sports coaching and management. It may be necessary for schools to organise their Physical Education Elective curriculum in such a way that their students acquire knowledge of fundamental topics at Secondary 4 and subsequently switch to Physical Education-oriented Applied Learning subjects at Secondary 5. Teachers may consider selecting related topics from different parts to offer a tailor-made programme to support such a transition.
Elective Subject X (e.g. ICT, DAT)
BAFS (Compulsory
Part)
Elective Subject Y (e.g. ICT, DAT)
Option 1 BAFS (Elective Part)
+ other elective
subject(s)
Option 2 BAFS (Elective Part)
+ Business related Applied
Learning course(s)
Option 3 Business related Applied
Learning course (s)
+ other elective
subject(s)
+ +
Secondary 4 Exploring different inclinations
Secondary 5 and
Secondary 6 Engaging in different areas of interest
making informed decisions about further
studies
Other options
Appendix 2
Examples of Useful Combinations of Applied Learning and Other Elective Subjects
The core/elective subjects and Applied Learning can complement each other through the use of different combinations. Some examples of the combinations are as follows:
Area of Studies Examples of Applied
Learning Courses Examples of Core/Elective Subjects
Design Studies
• Design and Applied Technology
• History
• Technology and Living
• Visual Arts
Media Arts
• Design and Applied Technology
• History
• Technology and Living
• Visual Arts Creative
Studies
Performing Arts
• Chinese History
• History
• Languages and Literatures
• Music Films, TV and Broadcasting
Studies
• Design and Applied Technology
• Physics Media and
Communication
Media Writing and
Production • Languages
Accountancy • Business, Accounting and Financial Studies
• Mathematics
Financial Services
• Business, Accounting and Financial Studies
• Economics
• Mathematics
Legal Studies • Health Management and Social Care
• Liberal Studies Business,
Management and Law
Marketing
• Business, Accounting and Financial Studies
• Economics
Area of Studies Examples of Applied
Learning Courses Examples of Core/Elective Subjects Food and Catering • Technology and Living
Hospitality Services
• Business, Accounting and Financial Studies
• Tourism and Hospitality Studies
• Technology and Living Services
Personal and Community Services
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Liberal Studies
Medical Science
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Health Management and Social Care
• Integrated Science
Health Care
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Technology and Living Applied
Science
Sports
• Health Management and Social Care
• Physical Education
• Biology
Civil Engineering
• Design and Applied Technology
• Mathematics
• Physics
Information Engineering • Information and Communication Technology
Engineering and Production
Mechanical Engineering
• Design and Applied Technology
• Information and Communication Technology
• Integrated Science