Educational reform and teacher development in Hong Kong and on the Chinese Mainland

Open File: Professionalism in Teaching

Educational reform and teacher development in Hong Kong and on the Chinese Mainland     

有效能的香港幼稚园校长与教师的特征

本研究对90位香港幼稚园校长和教师进行了开放性问卷调查。对受访者反馈的分析揭示出有效能的幼稚园校长的5项特征和教师的4项特征。虽然这些结果和国外的同类研究有一些共性,但其差异也体现出香港的幼儿教育发展状况和文化特征。这为幼稚园校长和教师的专业发展带来了启示。     

An evaluation of the Hong Kong design and development strategy

This chapter addresses the complex issues of a district-wide school information system design and development in Hong Kong. The SAMS (School Administration & Management System) is being implemented by the government in about 1,500 schools. The focus of the chapter is on the system design and development strategy and the related outcome. Evidence that a design and development strategy without genuine user participation produces a low quality system and low user acceptance is provided. Besides technical issues there are political factors that need to be considered in designing and developing a district-wide school information system. Moreover, an officially intended design and development strategy is one thing; the actual strategy is another. Furthermore, the SAMS project shows that high quality systems cannot be developed using a strategy that ignores a detailed study of school organizational information requirements.     

Negotiating teacher professionalism: governmentality and education reform in Hong Kong

This research investigates how the Hong Kong state controls and disciplines the education sector through the regulation and manipulation of discourses. The authoritative narratives are that some schools are failing the students and parents for not being able to provide quality education, and that these schools are not subject to public scrutiny while spending public money. This article seeks to understand the role of such narratives in neoliberal politics and the marketisation of education which lead to governance in the form of initiatives in school quality assurance mechanism; how different actors (Education Bureau, Professional Teachers' Union and individual teachers) are involved in the process; how they negotiate this governance of education; how such governance transforms the self-perception of teachers as well as the perception of teachers by others; and how teachers interpret, appropriate and resist such discursive power.     

香港校长的专业持续发展

The quality of principals is pivotal for quality education. It is only through continuing professional development (CPD) that principals can further enhance professionalism. In this study, both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to analyze the responses of 194 principals and vice-principals. The research findings show that Hong Kong principals are facing challenges posed by ever-changing school environments of the 21st century and educational reforms. Based on this study, implications for future continuing professional development of principals in Hong Kong are speculated.      

Thinking styles and preferred teacher interpersonal behavior among Hong Kong students

This study investigated the relationship between thinking styles and preferred teacher interpersonal behavior based on the Model for Interpersonal Teacher Behavior (MITB, Wubbels, Créton, & Hooymayers, 1985) among 247 Hong Kong secondary school female students. The Thinking Style Inventory Revised (TSI-R, Sternberg, Wagner, & Zhang, 2003) and the Questionnaire for Teacher Interaction (QTI, Wubbels et al., 1985) were used to measure students' thinking styles and their preferred teacher interpersonal behavior. Research results showed that Type I global and liberal styles positively and negatively predicted student-centered teacher interpersonal behavior respectively, while Type I legislative and judicial styles negatively and positively predicted teacher-centered interpersonal behavior respectively. Type II conservative and executive styles positively predicted teacher-centered interpersonal behavior, while Type II executive and conservative styles positively and negatively predicted student-centered interpersonal behavior respectively. Implications of the research findings are discussed.     

Building a model to define the concept of teacher success in Hong Kong

The research studies how outstanding teachers from Hong Kong conceptualize teacher success or effectiveness. This study adds to the knowledge base concerned by raising the importance of the coexistence of personal attributes and professional qualities as well as contextual factors, in bringing out the success of a teacher. It draws the attention of teacher educators/trainers and school administrators to the necessity of viewing the concept of teacher success from a broader perspective, instead of focusing narrowly on the professional qualities of a teacher. It also provides insights for school administrators in selecting teachers or supporting their work.     

An Overview of Bilingual Education in Hong Kong

English is more widely used in Hong Kong than mainland China. The introduction, escalation and declination of English in Hong Kong are examined. Relevant reasons are explored to account for the gradual change of language use. Afterwards, appropriate recom mendations are provided to elevate the status of English as globalization requires communication barriers across diverse cultures to be lifted.     

Understanding mainland Chinese students' motivations for choosing teacher education programmes in Hong Kong

In this paper, we report on an inquiry exploring the experiences of 10 mainland Chinese student teachers of English so as to understand why they came to Hong Kong for a teacher education programme. The study revealed that these students were largely attracted to teaching in Hong Kong because of its extrinsic benefits such as professional stability, the prestige associated with the English language teaching profession and the opportunities to acquire valued skills transferable to other professions including English competence. Facing challenges as non‐local students, they were also uncertain of becoming teachers in the new context. As ‘elite’ Chinese students were often unwilling to become teachers, we found it strategic to attract a large number of talented non‐local students to the teaching profession and retain them. We conclude the paper with recommendations for various stakeholders to support these non‐local students' adaptation and development as committed and competent teachers in local schools.     

香港当代卧底电影分析

《龙虎风云》、《无间道》和《变节》等系列香港卧底电影,隐含着香港人的集体无意识。早期经典香港卧底电影表达了香港人特定的文化焦虑,但《变节》系列已将它修改为港人构想世界秩序的想象空间。这一修改暗示出香港人的自我意识在新世纪的变化。     

The professional development needs of Hong Kong ESL teachers

In the light of changing needs for the professional development (PD) of ESL teachers in Hong Kong, this study investigates current practice and future needs within the context of the implementation of educational reforms by the Hong Kong Government. A cohort of ESL teachers, members of a knowledge sharing community project, participated in a survey to gauge their experience of, and attitudes towards, PD. The survey produced a 100% response. Data from the cohort indicated that experienced, well-qualified ESL teachers perceive the need for PD from a broader perspective than their less qualified, less experienced peers who are driven by more immediate needs. These findings resonate with those from countries where PD is viewed as an integral part of ongoing teacher development. The paper concludes with the recommendations that the current findings would be augmented by a further, qualitative study.     

An evaluation of the collaborative mode of professional development for teachers in special schools in Hong Kong

This study, by Fuk‐chuen Ho of the Hong Kong Institute of Education and Michael Arthur‐Kelly of the University of Newcastle, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a professional development programme for in‐service teachers in Hong Kong special schools. The goal of the programme was to deliver a field‐based mode of training for teachers in special schools. A school cluster system was set up, with the goal of providing participants with a platform through which it is possible to conduct an interactive exchange of ideas, resources, services and expertise, mutually addressing the issues pertaining to children with special needs. Twelve school clusters were organised. Participants in this study included four educators from teacher training institutions, 31 expert teachers from supporting schools, and 101 trainees from participating schools. The most significant response came from trainees, because the participating schools had the opportunity to apply the learned skills in their own classrooms.     

Becoming a teacher: the identity construction experiences of beginning English language teachers in Hong Kong

Debate over educational reform in many countries has addressed the question of how to attract and retain teachers. As part of a multiple case study that includes eight beginning English language teachers in Hong Kong, this paper offers an in-depth analysis of the experiences of two participants, Christine and Samuel, during their initial year of full time teaching in Hong Kong schools. The data, collected during an entire academic year, suggests that Christine used her experiences of becoming a teacher to justify and reaffirm her determination to pursue a career within English language teaching. In contrast, Samuel??s preliminary year of full-time teaching culminated in his decision to leave the teaching profession. A contribution of this study is to explore these very different experiences and outcomes using a framework of teacher identity construction. From this perspective, findings suggest that the participants?? engagement in the practices and activities of teaching, their relations with colleagues, and their positioning within different discourses of teaching and learning by their schools as well as by the wider educational environment, shaped their decisions about whether to continue to pursue a teaching career. Implications for attracting and retaining teachers, as well as for future research, are discussed.     

The role of emotionality in teacher change: the case of Chinese language teachers in Hong Kong

Over the past decade, Chinese language teachers in Hong Kong have experienced a series of educational reforms. They are now expected to design and implement their own school-based Chinese language curriculum, and adopt innovative pedagogies and customized materials in the classroom. The current literature suggests that some teachers are not ready for or even resist changes amid new challenges and paradigm changes. This case study highlights the role of emotionality as a key factor for successful teacher change by proposing a local adaptation of the classic model, while pointing out that a combined mode of support inclusive of collective lesson preparation and teaching demonstrations/practical sessions in professional development programs is a key element that helps facilitate teachers’ change and provides teachers with experiential learning opportunities and enhanced confidence, leading to their voluntary adoption of the approach and gradual change in their beliefs and attitudes after witnessing the feasibility and effectiveness of the newly introduced concepts.     

以"学习者为中心"的教学模式中外语教师角色的定位

文章通过传统教学模式和“以学习者为中心”的教学模式中教师角色的对比,探讨“以学习者为中心”的教学模式中外语教师角色定位的转化问题,并指出在转化过程所需要面对的挑战。     

香港校本课程建设及其启示

从校本课程建设的范围、形式与设计三方面介绍与分析了香港的校本课程建设 ;探讨来自香港校本课程建设的几点启示：划清职责与设立考核制度是校本课程建设的重要前提；校长、教师、家长及学生是校本课程建设的主体；教育部门和高等学校是校本课程建设的有力保障。     

香港高等教育发展分析

相对发达的高等教育对香港经济发展起着重要的作用,香港高等教育具有现代化、多元化、全球化等特征,政府重视、多元办学、推进改革等措施促进了香港高教的发展,预计未来香港高等教育发展趋势将朝着明确定位、加强与内地合作与交流等方向发展。     

Pre-service Primary Teachers' Perceptions about Principals in Hong Kong: Implications for teacher and principal education

This study aimed to explore pre-service teachers' perceptions and expectations of principals, how these perceptions may influence attitude and behaviour when they start in school and how pre-service teachers' perceptions of the principalship may have been formed. In general, pre-service teachers do not expect to receive assistance from the principal during their first months of teaching. Past experience of principals has resulted in clear expectations of principal support, particularly in respect to beliefs about the influence of hierarchy, school authority and principal's workload. Others, however, expect the principal to be receptive to and supportive of innovations. Some expect support from their colleagues whilst others believe they must rely on themselves. Furthermore, the sources of beliefs about the principalship are predominantly formed during pre-service teachers' experiences in school life and teaching practice. Many of their images of the principalship tend to be negative.