Benefits of the CFI Project

OUHK staff, instructors/tutors and students will all benefit from the CFI Project in a variety of ways:

OUHK staff will be able to streamline operations, reengineer workflow, and improve communications within a seamless virtual environment that provides easy information access and the integration of major IT-supported systems. This integrated system will greatly enhance the effectiveness of our academic output and efficiency of our administrative operations. Academic staff will have immediate access to systems that allow them to plan, design, develop, implement, monitor and analyse their teaching activities.

Instructors/ tutors will save time and manage their teaching more effectively by a) using online tutorials more effectively for interaction and discussion with students rather than conducting quizzes and exercises; and b) using the IFLMOL to perform non-academic tasks, such as posting assignments, calculating and storing grades and transporting syllabi from one semester to the next. They will also be able to communicate more and better with their students by a) using both synchronous and asynchronous communication methods; b) monitoring the frequency and the quality of students’ online contributions; and c) using automatic and tailored messages to suggest additional activities or to encourage greater participation in online discussions.

Students will be able to learn more effectively by a) using online tools to increase their conceptual understanding of the course content outside of class so they can focus on higher learning in class; and b) making use of the web-linked learning objectives and web-linked task list for each course they are enrolled in. Students will learn more actively a) in small, informal online class settings where peer learning is emphasized; and b) by making use of online, virtual assistance from their instructor to decrease any potential frustrations or misunderstandings. Students will also learn more flexibly a) by taking part in a blended mode of study designed to have the best pedagogical impact; and b) being able to register for courses year-round and on a 7x24 basis.