Drawing on the variation theory to enhance students’ learning of Chinese characters

The variation theory of Ference Marton and his collaborators has widely been used as a framework for explaining what can possibly be learned in a particular classroom and what cannot. This paper reports on an experiment that put this theory to test in the context of students’ learning of the orthographic structures of Chinese characters. The experiment was carried out in the classrooms of two primary schools in Hong Kong. In each of the schools, two classes of students were taught differently, as informed by the theory, about the significance of the location of a component in the orthographic structure of a character in relation to whether the component provided a clue to the meaning of the character (called the part–part relations). The results of the experiment are consistent with the prediction of the theory that those students who were given the possibility to experience variation in the locations of components in the orthographic structures significantly outperformed those who were not. The results of the experiment demonstrate the power of the theory in guiding the design of teaching that affords students’ learning to happen.     

Use and evaluation of a technology-rich experimental collaborative classroom

In order to pilot a shift towards greater use of collaborative learning in our higher education programs, the University of Hong Kong has invested in the development of a prototype technology-enhanced collaborative learning space. The space was created by retrofitting a vacant studio, turning it into an innovative classroom space in which collaborative learning is promoted and facilitated both through the provision of technology and by the physical layout of the room. We have used the space to pioneer collaborative learning both by holding professional development workshops for faculty in the room and also by helping academic staff to run experimental courses in the learning space. The opportunity to offer professional development and support for academic staff in this environment is particularly valuable as it ensures they do not simply deliver traditional didactic lectures in a space designed to promote interactive student learning and engagement. By using the space as a ‘student’ they are able to consider how they may use collaborative learning environments with their students. This paper describes use of the room for professional development of academic staff and also provides two examples of the use and evaluation of the room by faculty who used the room to teach experimental classes.     

Micromixer based on viscoelastic flow instability at low Reynolds number

We exploited the viscoelasticity of biocompatible dilute polymeric solutions, namely, dilute poly(ethylene oxide) solutions, to significantly enhance mixing in microfluidic devices at a very small Reynolds number, i.e., Re≈0.023, but large Peclet and elasticity numbers. With an abrupt contraction microgeometry (8:1 contraction ratio), two different dilute poly(ethylene oxide) solutions were successfully mixed with a short flow length at a relatively fast mixing time of <10 μs. Microparticle image velocimetry was employed in our investigations to characterize the flow fields. The increase in velocity fluctuation with an increase in flow rate and Deborah number indicates the increase in viscoelastic flow instability. Mixing efficiency was characterized by fluorescent concentration measurements. Our results showed that enhanced mixing can be achieved through viscoelastic flow instability under situations where molecular-diffusion and inertia effects are negligible. This approach bypasses the laminar flow limitation, usually associated with a low Reynolds number, which is not conducive to mixing.     

《史记》人物创作的技巧性阐释

本文旨在以还原《史记》原始创作的动因、意向和方法为目的 ,从技巧这一阐释层面入手 ,来把握作者前创作心理及创作期心理 ,对《史记》人物的审美特质由点及面作了创作论上的观照     

Education and Socio-Political Transitions in Asia: Diversity and Commonality

This article sets a framework for this special issue of the journal by providing an overview of the topic and a commentary on the ways in which the papers in the special issue may be linked to the theme and to each other. The article is built around the identification of diversity and commonality. On the one hand, the Asian region contains countries with widely varying circumstances and socio-political transitions; but on the other hand are a number of common patterns. Among the commonalities are colonial transitions, interrelationships between education and economic changes, and transitions involving international forces and the changing role of the state.     

廉泉与文明书局

清末,廉泉与俞复等创办了文明书局,以出版新式教科书闻名业内.廉泉支持赵鸿雪采用新工艺,研制珂罗版等技术,提高了书业的印刷工艺;廉泉在人才培养和作者发掘方面也颇具眼光,文明书局成为汇聚人才的渊薮;同时,廉泉注重版权维护,与盗版、翻印行为做斗争,成为近代出版的先驱.     

The Challenges of Attracting Asian Students to Study Higher Education in Hong Kong

This article reports a commissioned research project on exploring the emerging issues and challenges of attracting Asian students to study in Hong Kong's higher education institutions. Findings reveal the rapidly growing demand for quality transnational education in Asia and the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of exporting Hong Kong's higher education. The challenges include the need to arrive at a consensus on the aims of internationalisation of Hong Kong's higher education, issues related to promotion strategies overseas, as well as problems of social and multi‐cultural inclusion of non‐local students. Drawing on the research findings, the author suggests going beyond the notion of profit‐oriented vision and exploring the real mission of promoting higher education services overseas that contributes to the enhancement of higher education receivers' learning experiences and preparing students to be future leaders in a humane environment.     

影响体育消费者购买行为的经济学分析

运用文献资料、逻辑推理、归纳演绎等方法,从体育消费者自身角度出发,对影响体育消费者购买行为的经济学因素进行深入分析,旨在探明制约我国体育消费水平的主要原因,以期为相关体育产业部门制定营销计划和战略选择提供理论参考,进而推动我国体育消费水平的不断提高。