New Horizons


No 34, pp. 102-106 (November, 1993)

The Quality of Teaching and Learning in an Expanding Tertiary System

John BIGGS

Abstract

The proposal to increase the first year tertiary intake from 5 to 18 per cent of the age group in order to meet market demands for more, and more varied, graduates has provoked fears of lowered standards. Such thinking is based on outmoded and simplistic notions of human abilities and the educational process. The proposed changes should be seen in the context of the educational system as a whole, so that (a) a fundamental rethink should take place about the nature and function of Forms 6 and 7, and (b) changes of attitude, curriculum, and delivery, will be required within the tertiary sector itself. Given at least these two changes, the quality of tertiary education in Hong Kong would be greatly enhanced.
Keywords: teaching quality; learning quality; tertiary education expansion; tertiary education

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