On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, students from the Master of Education in Early Childhood Education (MED in ECE) at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) and early childhood education students from Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) came together for a virtual exchange on assessment in early childhood education. The online session—designed to foster cross-cultural dialogue—included ice-breakers, presentations on Eastern and Western assessment practices, and a structured debate on the role of standardized testing for young learners. Through these interactive components, participants deepened their understanding of assessment, evaluation, and documentation in early childhood education.
The collaborative session was co-designed by Dr. Zhou Yanling, Area Coordinator of the Master of Education (Early Childhood Education) Programme at EdUHK, together with Dr. Hu Aihua and Dr. Anne Myklebust Lynngård from HVL. Supported by Teaching Assistant Ms. Wendy Chan Wan Ting and COIL Facilitator Ms. Sofie Chua, the international team began planning the initiative in December 2025.
The session aimed to encourage students to critically reflect on their own assessment practices while exploring the distinct approaches of Nordic and East Asian educational systems. MED in ECE students from Hong Kong delivered presentations on assessment frameworks in kindergartens across Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, and Singapore. In contrast, students in Norway presented on assessment of child development through teacher-child relation, relational mapping tools, and parental influence on child assessment in Norway.
Participants valued the opportunity to discuss the topic from different parts of the world and to understand the similarities and differences in how various cultures view assessment. One student remarked, "There are always two sides to what we do. It was interesting to see how the other side does standardized assessment, and how it differs from place to place and school to school." Another wrote, "I love such online exchange activities because the atmosphere is so dynamic and welcoming, and we can learn from one another in a safe setting."
This collaboration underscored the importance of cross-cultural dialogue among lecturers and students in shaping reflective, inclusive assessment practices in early childhood education. Dr. Zhou Yanling, who also leads the Master of Education (ECE) programme, shared, "Interacting with global peers who use different assessment approaches helps students critically examine their own practices—helping them rethink classroom challenges and discover new solutions."
The Master of Education in Early Childhood Education at EdUHK is committed to developing reflective practitioners and future leaders in the field. Through initiatives like this virtual exchange, the programme provides students with rich international perspectives and the opportunity to learn alongside leading scholars.