Education for sustainability in primary schools in Hong Kong

This article is based on an investigation of the implementation of environmental education in Hong Kong primary schools using a questionnaire survey and case studies. It will be divided into three parts: one focusing on the gap between rhetoric and practice in environmental education in the questionnaire results; one highlighting curriculum organisation of environmental education through case studies; and one discussing the nature and content of environmental education in these case-study schools.     

Understanding the Influence of Learners’ Forethought on Their Use of Science Study Strategies in Postsecondary Science Learning

Understanding self-regulation in science learning is important for theorists and practitioners alike. However, very little has been done to explore and understand students’ self-regulatory processes in postsecondary science courses. In this study, the influence of science efficacy, learning value, and goal orientation on the perceived use of science study strategies was explored using structural equation modeling. In addition, the study served to validate the first two stages of Zimmerman's cyclical model of self-regulation and to address the common methodological weakness in self-regulation research in which data are all collected at one point after the learning cycle is complete. Thus, data were collected across the learning cycle rather than asking students to reflect upon each construct after the learning cycle was complete. The findings supported the hypothesized model in which it was predicted that self-efficacy would significantly and positively influence students’ perceived science strategy use, and the influence of students’ valuation of science learning on science study strategies would be mediated by their learning goal orientation. The findings of the study are discussed and implications for undergraduate science instructors are proposed.     

Becoming Data Driven: The Influence of Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy on Concerns Related to Data-Driven Decision Making

Data-driven decision-making (DDDM) reform has proven to be an effective means for improving student learning. However, little DDDM reform has happened at the classroom level, and little research has explored variables that influence teacher adoption of DDDM. The authors propose a model in which teachers’ sense of efficacy for the skills that support classroom-level DDDM and DDDM anxiety significantly influenced teachers’ DDDM efficacy, which then influenced collaboration concerns that influenced refocusing concerns. The authors used structural equation modeling to analyze data on 537 teachers in order to validate this hypothesized model. Results supported this model and are discussed.     

影响体育院、系学生选择职业主观因素分析

职业是人们实现自己重要切身利益和要求的环境，体育院、系学生愿意从事这样或那样的职务的愿望是用间接形式表现出来的。它是在体育运动范围内逐渐显示其对某一职业的爱好，表现在对职业的自我追求以及舒适条件的向往，所以爱好对确定自己的职业是非常重要的。     

Analysis of job satisfaction of university professors from nine Chinese universities

Research on work life and job satisfaction of university professors is becoming an important research issue in the field of higher education. This study used questionnaires administered to 1 770 teachers from different levels, types, and academic fields of Chinese universities to investigate job satisfaction among university professors and the relationship between job satisfaction of university professors and the organizational characteristics of the university. The job satisfaction of Chinese university professors includes six dimensions: career development and school management, teaching and research services, salary, benefits and logistical services, professional reputation, teaching and research facilities, and the work itself. The overall job satisfaction levels are close to average, with salary and benefits receiving the lowest level of satisfaction. The organizational characteristics of universities, such as school type, school level, academic field, organizational climate, evaluation orientation, and school management, all have significant effects on the overall job satisfaction of university professors. The organizational climate and school level affect all six dimensions of job satisfaction among university professors.     

期望中的教师专业性:政策文本分析的视角

教师被认为是教育改革成败的关键.在变革的社会中,政府、家长、社会团体等利益相关者对教师素质的要求各不相同,同时对教师专业性概念也有不同的诠释.其中,政府颁布的各种教育改革政策对教师工作的影响越来越频繁、直接.本文运用文本分析的方法对我国相关教师政策加以梳理,以期揭示国家政策对教师专业性的规定及其内涵.     

Landscape of scholarship on principal training in China from 1989 to 2008

The past two decades have witnessed the great developments in principal training in China. Research on principal training in China is increasing in quantity and quality with its expanding practice. The purpose of this paper is to explore and analyze the changing landscape of scholarship on principal training in China by examining the quantity of publications, themes covered, methodological approaches and the status of articles published from 1989 to 2008, as listed in the Chinese Database of Journals. This is the first serious academic effort to review and reflect on the Chinese scholarship of principal training and school leadership development. In conclusion, suggestions are outlined for future development of this academic field in China.     

Design Education in China: New Proposals to Address Endemic Problems

This paper is concerned with identifying the problems that pervade design education and the practice of design in China so that a way forward can be proposed to make improvements that will enable the Chinese design industry to become more competitive after entry into the World Trade Organisation. The authors gathered data from their own experiences and observations in situ, as well as surveys they commissioned. They found that there are numerous endemic, fundamental problems in the practice of design education across the whole education sector. Fortunately, many Chinese design educators and managers of design companies are cognizant of these problems and are motivated to institute changes, even though they are unsure of what these changes should be or how they should be implemented. The authors conclude by making their own recommendations for effecting improvements in design education and professional development.     

政府控制与市场化的博弈——对韩国高等教育结构调整的反思

韩国高等教育大众化发展历程和我国有着相似的背景,但在结构上呈现出独特性,即高度的中央集权控制以及在经费来源上对私人经费的极大依赖.这种状况在市场化的发展趋势下产生出许多问题,引发了高等教育结构的重新调整.质量提升、维持地区间平衡、促进高等教育机构多样性和分层化、增强内部学术管理的有效性是韩国高等教育结构调整的重要内容.     

Decentralization and Social Partnership: The Development of Vocational Education at Shanghai and Shenzhen in China

In 1985, the Chinese Mainland introduced a policy of decentralization in order to help facilitate the spread of basic education. By looking specifically at the developmental experiences of Shanghai and Shenzhen, we can gain an in depth understanding of the specific circumstances incurred under new education reforms. While undergoing decentralization, the local government’s main responsibility was to implement the state directives and to act as the central government agency. During the development of vocational education, the level of decentralization in these two cities was situated somewhere between deconcentration and delegation. At the school level, the principal was mainly responsible for disseminating the state’s requirements. Teachers had to firmly follow the state’s instructions on teaching and learning. Other stakeholders’ roles were left unclear and informal. It is believed that the indigenous meaning of education and an authentic social partnership can only develop if formal channels are established through which stakeholders can express their ideas on education in the locality.