Educational Reform and Research in Hong Kong: A Request for Comprehensive Knowledge

When Hong Kong is moving towards a knowledge society in the new millennium, research is clearly necessary to provide a knowledge base for educational development and reform to meet the challenges of globalization and high technology in the world. This report aims to review the education policy environment in Hong Kong and see whether research can be encouraged to support policy development and practice improvement. Particularly, the report will give a brief introduction to the recent initiatives in Hong Kong school education since the establishment of the Special Administrative Region in 1997 and discusses the potential research agenda to support the ongoing education reforms at the school system. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Blended learning model on hands-on approach for in-service secondary school teachers: Combination of E-learning and face-to-face discussion

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a blended learning model on hands-on approach for in-service secondary school teachers using a quasi-experimental design. A 24-h teacher-training course using the blended learning model was administered to 117 teachers, while face-to-face instruction was given to 60 teachers. The following dependent variables were compared: degree of leaners’ knowledge, self-efficacy and satisfaction with the training course. The results indicated that the experimental, blended learning group showed a significantly higher level of knowledge of hands-on approach and overall satisfaction with the course. However, the self-efficacy and others items related to learner’s learning satisfaction were similar between two groups. Moreover, the findings indicated that access, flexibility, cost effectiveness, improving interaction, formation of teacher network and involving of administrators, instructors and school leaders were factors which contributed to the success of blended learning model. Further implications and suggestions for the blended learning model are presented.     

实事求是：中国革命和建设道路理论的基点

以毛泽东、邓小平为首创立的中国革命和中国建设道路理论是毛泽东思想，邓小平理论中最突出的部分之一，其突出之点就在于充分体现了马列主义与中国革命实际的结合，是在失败中总结教训，在实践中探索趔的结果，正是这两个具有中国特色的理论的创立，中国革命和建设才取得了辉煌的胜利，而其中随处都体现的理论基点与思想精髓就是毛泽东，邓小平都反复强调并身体力行的实事求是。     

Personal strengths and perceived teacher support as predictors of Singapore students’ academic risk status

Abstract

This study explored the relative salience of students’ personal strengths and teacher support in predicting academic risk status. The participants were Secondary One (S1, Grade Seven) students from Singapore who scored below the cohort’s mean score in a national test administered at the end of primary education, and were identified as low risk (n = 309) or high risk (n = 396), based on their S1 achievement score in the English Language subject. Logistic regression analysis was conducted with academic risk status as criterion variable and the following potential predictors: students’ background variables (i.e. socio-economic status, cognitive ability and initial achievement), personal strengths, teacher–student relatedness, and teacher autonomy and competence support. After controlling for the effects of the students’ background variables, teacher trust emerged as the strongest (negative) and most stable predictor of high-risk status; teacher alienation and teacher–student communication were found as significant positive predictors of students’ placement in the high-risk group.     

在线学习准备度对大学生在线学习投入度的影响

在线学习投入是保证"停课不停学"期间在线教学质量的重要条件。对大学生开展调查,运用描述统计和回归分析法对疫情期间大学生在线学习准备度的现状、大学生在线学习投入度的现状进行分析,可以发现在线学习准备度对大学生在线学习投入度的影响以及在线学习自我效能感、感知教师支持、在线学习平台体验在其中的中介作用。结果表明:大学生在线学习准备不足;大学生在线学习投入整体不高;大学生在线学习准备度对大学生在线学习投入度具有显著影响;在线学习自我效能感、感知教师支持、在线学习平台体验在在线学习准备度和在线学习投入度之间存在中介效应。因此,可以从技术支持维度、在线学习资源设计维度、教师支持维度着手提升学生的在线学习投入度。     

研究生科研能力结构要素的调查研究及启示

依据层次分析法 ,对研究生科研能力结构要素的调查问卷进行统计分析 ,结果表明 :文、理、工三科研究生所需基本科研能力结构要素既有共性 ,又有个性。三科研究生所需综合基本科研能力结构要素前 5项依次为创新能力、逻辑推理能力、资料搜集与处理能力、问题解决能力及语言表达能力。由于学科特点等方面的差异 ,文、理、工三科研究生基本科研能力在具体排序方面呈现出细微差异。     

The “flipped classroom” approach: Stimulating positive learning attitudes and improving mastery of histology among medical students

Traditional medical education methodologies have been dramatically impacted by the introduction of new teaching approaches over the past few decades. In particular, the “flipped classroom” format has drawn a great deal of attention. However, evidence regarding the effectiveness of the flipped model remains limited due to a lack of outcome‐based studies. In the present study, a pilot histology curriculum of the organ systems was implemented among 24 Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) students in a flipped classroom format at Jinan University. As a control, another 87 TCM students followed a conventional histology curriculum. The academic performance of the two groups was compared. In addition, a questionnaire was administered to the flipped classroom group. The test scores for the flipped classroom participants were found to be significantly higher compared to non‐participants in the control group. These results suggest that students may benefit from using the flipped classroom format. Follow‐up questionnaires also revealed that most of the flipped classroom participants undertook relatively more earnest preparations before class and were actively involved in classroom learning activities. The teachers were also found to have more class time for leading discussions and delivering quizzes rather than repeating rote didactics. Consequently, the increased teaching and learning activities contributed to a better performance among the flipped classroom group. This pilot study suggests that a flipped classroom approach can be used to improve histology education among medical students. However, future studies employing randomization, larger numbers of students, and more precise tracking methods are needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn. Anat Sci Educ 10: 317–327. © 2016 American Association of Anatomists.     

动态分层次教学的实践与思考

分层次教学是以学生为本、因材施教的需要,也是目前中等职业教育发展的迫切要求.我们认为,分层次教学应该有一个整体的思路,形成一个从学生入学到毕业的动态模式.这种模式的着眼点在于:一年级的分层次教学主要着眼于学生学习能力的差异,二年级的分层次教学主要着眼于学生职业兴趣的差异,三年级的分层次教学主要着眼于学生目标指向的差异.从而为处于不同阶段的学生创设一种适合他们学习的条件和环境.     

幽默话语分析:谈对合作原则的违反

根据格赖斯的会话含意理论，当言语交际一方故意违反合作原则时，听话人会结合当时的语境去推断说话人违反合作原则的隐含意义，即“会话含意”。本试图从这一角度入手，分析英汉语言中的幽默话语，从而帮助读更好地理解和欣赏幽默艺术。