Professor Zi Yan, Head of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, recently concluded a series of prestigious Visiting Professor engagements at three distinguished European universities: Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, the University of Montpellier, and the University of Oxford.
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
Invited by Professor Thomas Borgard, Professor Yan delivered a seminar titled "Reimagining Assessment: Empowering Students in an AI-Enabled Learning Landscape". The presentation challenged traditional teacher-centred assessment models, advocating instead for a student-centred, adaptive approach enabled by AI. Drawing upon recent research, the seminar explored how generative AI can personalise learning and transform assessment practices, encouraging educators to reimagine learner engagement. The visit also included insightful discussions with LMU colleagues, sparking vibrant exchanges on innovative assessment strategies in AI-supported environments.
University of Montpellier
At the University of Montpellier, Professor Yan engaged with a leading research team headed by Dr Manuel Bächtold. Together, they advanced their collaborative project on university teachers’ formative assessment practices and the factors influencing them. Plans were also established to explore university students’ formative assessment patterns and underlying mechanisms. This collaboration aims to enhance formative assessment in higher education and lay the groundwork for sustained research partnerships.
University of Oxford
Hosted by Professor Jo-Anne Baird, Professor Yan visited the Oxford University Centre for Educational Assessment (OUCEA), where they interacted with faculty members and students. In a hybrid seminar titled "Assessment in the Digital Age: Cultivating Student Agency", Professor Yan presented a research-informed framework that integrates teacher-led assessment with student self-assessment in AI-supported contexts. Emphasising feedback literacy, the session highlighted how digital tools can foster student agency and support formative feedback, offering practical strategies adaptable to diverse educational settings.
These visits reflect the Department of Curriculum and Instruction’s ongoing commitment to advancing educational assessment and strengthening global academic partnerships. We are excited about the promising collaborations with these esteemed institutions and look forward to further expanding our international impact.