Curriculum integration in arts education: connecting multiple art forms through the idea of ‘space’

Arts integration research has focused on documenting how the teaching of specific art forms can be integrated with ‘core’ academic subject matters (e.g. science, mathematics and literacy). However, the question of how the teaching of multiple art forms themselves can be integrated in schools remains to be explored by educational researchers. This paper draws on data collected at a secondary school in Singapore. The case study analyses how three art teachers, using the idea of ‘space’ as organizing theme, implemented a module of instruction that connected concepts and processes from a variety of art forms (including dance, music, drama and visual arts). We present evidence from curriculum materials, lesson plans, student–teacher classroom interactions and students’ productions. Students were able to reflect upon the importance of space within the arts, analyse the points of convergence and divergence among several art forms, experiment with space and create their own interdisciplinary performances. Our ultimate aim is to provide insights that might inspire art teachers in designing instructional units focused on ‘big ideas’. We suggest that allowing more curricular freedom and providing teachers with adequate structures for interdisciplinary collaboration are key to achieving meaningful levels of integration.     

Reference transaction and the nature of the process for general reference assistance

This empirical study of the process for library reference assistance, brought about by the attempt to develop a knowledge-based intermediary system for such assistance in an academic library, revealed a “missing link” in the chain of the process that delivers such a ubiquitous assistance to library users. That link in the chain was the select strategy, a vital professional step which incorporates and represents the professional expertise that distinguishes reference librarians from their colleagues. As a consequence, this article suggests a revised model of the reference process to include the select strategy, in order to understand better the process and reflect the experience in a practical situation.     

Myth of the Inferior Status of Vocational Education: The Case of Hong Kong

Abstract

In this article, factors contributing to the poor perceptions and inferior status of vocational education in Hong Kong are discussed. Critical discourse analysis (CDA) is employed as the methodology in examining the discursive construction of vocational education in the policy context. A total of five policy documents published between 1970 and 2015 are included. Our findings show that the socioeconomic transformation of Hong Kong in recent decades, massification of higher education, and cultural factors such as parental expectations are pertinent to the stigmatization observed in vocational education. This article discusses the implications from the findings and concludes with possible solutions for the future development of vocational education in Hong Kong under the novel vocational and professional education and training (VPET) initiative launched by the government.     

Adolescent-Parent Conflict among Chinese Adolescents in Hong Kong

Adolescent-parent conflict was examined in 120 lower-class Chinese early, mid-, and late adolescents in Hong Kong. Individually interviewed adolescents described actual family conflicts, rated their frequency and intensity, justified their own and their parents' perspective on disputes, described how conflicts were resolved, and rated their parents' parenting styles. Conflicts were primarily with mothers, of moderate frequency and severity, and occurred over everyday issues. Chinese adolescents reasoned about conflicts primarily in terms of personal jurisdiction; personal reasoning decreased with age and was more frequent among males than females. Parents' reasoning was seen as primarily pragmatic. Adolescents wanted greater autonomy in decision making than their parents granted them, but parents' views prevailed less with age. Chinese parents were described as relatively warm and controlling; greater parental control and lower warmth were significantly related to conflict frequency and intensity. The findings are seen as reflecting autonomy development in a different cultural context.     

Dimensions of educational transactions in a videoconferencing learning environment

Abstract

Moore's Theory of Transactional Distance suggests that dialogue, structure, and learner autonomy are the key elements delineating the educational transaction in distance learning environments. However, the conceptualizations of these concepts in a telecommunication era have not been systematically addressed. By investigating 121 learners’ experiences with videoconferencing, this study identified the dimensions (factors) constituting dialogue, structure, and learner autonomy in such a learning environment. Exploratory factor analysis using a principal axis factor method was carried out. It was concluded that each of these three concepts represented multi‐faceted ideas. Dialogue consisted of three dimensions: in‐class discussion, out‐of‐class electronic communication, and out‐of‐class face‐to‐face interaction. Structure contained the dimensions of course organization and course delivery. Learner autonomy was comprised of independence and interdependence. The results of this study can inform videoconferencing researchers and practitioners of the factors of the educational transaction that should be considered in videoconferencing courses.     

American and Chinese Children's Evaluations of Personal Domain Events and Resistance to Parental Authority

A total of 267 five‐, seven‐, and ten‐year‐olds (M = 7.62), 147 in Hong Kong and 120 in the United States, evaluated hypothetical personal (and moral) events described as either essential or peripheral to actors' identity. Except for young Chinese in the peripheral condition, straightforward personal events were overwhelmingly evaluated as acceptable based on personal justifications. Children primarily endorsed compliance, but attributed negative emotions to actors when mothers forbade personal choices, especially when described as essential to identity. Conventional justifications declined among Chinese children and pragmatic justifications for these judgments increased with age for all children, as did judgments that personal events were up to the child. Rules were seen as more legitimate and events were seen as more up to mothers to decide for moral than personal events.     

Relationships Among Academic,Social and Psychological Adjustments to University Life: Comparisons across gender

Tertiary Education and Management - University support to students’ transition to university life can be divided into three dimensions, namely: academic adjustment, social adjustment and...