Assessing the Personal-Social Development of Hong Kong Chinese Adolescents

A 60-item measure, the Personal-Social Development Self-Efficacy Inventory (PSD-SEI) was developed to assess personal-social development self-efficacy among adolescents in Hong Kong. The PSD-SEI was administered to 6,776 Grade 10–13 students in Hong Kong. Principal components analysis with varimax solutions yielded seven meaningful factors: 1. Self-Realization, 2. Leadership and Teamwork, 3. Emotional, Physical and Social Wellness, 4. Interests and Life Goals 5. Relationships, 6. Avoiding Drugs, Excessive Drinking and Smoking, and 7. Finance and Self-Care. Reliability analyses showed that the total scale and subscales were internally consistent. The data suggested that Hong Kong adolescents had some but not strong confidence in their personal-social development. Boys were more confident in self-realization and maintaining wellness; girls were more confident in leadership and teamwork, relationship with the opposite sex, and avoiding drugs, excessive drinking, and smoking. This study is the first attempt to develop and validate a personal-social development self-efficacy measure for Chinese adolescents. Further research and applications of the PSD-SEI for the quality enhancement of personal-social development programmes in schools are discussed.     

A variational energy approach for electromechanical analysis of thick piezoelectric beam

INTRODUCTION Piezoelectricity is an electromechanical phe- nomenon which couples elasticity and electricity through the existence of pressure induced electrical field or electric induced stress field. The piezoelectric materials are usually surface bonded in patches or fully embedded in the host structure, so that the structure becomes a laminated piezoelectric beam. Tzou and Gadre (1989), Lee (1990), Crawly and Lazarus (1991) developed laminated plate models incorporating the piezoelect…     

The secondary school mathematics curriculum in China

This article attempts to give an up-to-date account of the secondary school mathematics curriculum in China. The teaching objectives and curriculum contents are discussed, and the public examination papers and classroom teaching methods are briefly described.     

The Roles of Hong Kong Preservice Early Childhood Teachers’ Creativity and Zest in Their Self-efficacy in Creating Child-centered Learning Environments

Research Findings: This study investigated the relationships of preservice teachers’ year of study in the teacher education program, creativity, zest, and self-efficacy in managing children’s behaviors to self-efficacy in creating child-centered learning environments. Data were collected from 275 Hong Kong preservice teachers via self-reported questionnaires. Results showed that creativity had a direct positive linkage with self-efficacy in creating child-centered learning environments. Zest was associated with self-efficacy in creating child-centered learning environments, however, indirectly through self-efficacy in managing children’s behaviors. Year of study was unrelated to both self-efficacies. Practice or Policy: Preservice teachers’ creativity and zest can be conceptualized as personal resources for creating child-centered environments. Teacher education programs should therefore incorporate components of fostering pre-service teachers’ own creativity and zest.     

A cross‐cultural comparison of self‐monitoring

This study examined the goodness of fit of three alternative models of self‐monitoring to data collected in five cultures (two individualistic and three collectivistic cultures) and the influence of individualism‐collectivism on self‐monitoring. It was predicted that the 18‐item unidimensional self‐monitoring scale is the best fit among the three and individualistic cultures exhibit higher self‐monitoring than collectivistic cultures. Data were collected from respondents in the United States, Australia (individualistic cultures) and Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan (collectivistic cultures). Results supported the predictions. The data suggest, however, that it is necessary to develop self‐monitoring measures which are sensitive across cultures.     

Models of workplace training in North America: a review

The dominant workplace training model in North America is the behavioural approach which is well matched to the dominant concept of Taylorism in management. Nevertheless, this paradigm has been increasingly challenged by the worker‐centred model which is dissatisfied with the management‐centred tenet within the behavioural approach. Four factors can be attributed to the declining popularity of the behavioural model: social changes, new needs of capitalism, the importance of worker ownership, and attitudinal changes in mangement. Three emerging alternatives to the behavioural model are examined: action regulation theory, critical reflectivity perspective and ‘working‐class adult eduction’ approach. Though under strong challenge, the behavioural model is still influential.     

Teachers as Facilitators in a Computer‐supported Learning Environment

ABSTRACT

This paper argues that teachers in this technology‐rich era have a new role to play in their classrooms. As a knowledge facilitator, rather than a knowledge presenter, the job of the teacher is to create a computer‐ supported learning environment where learners are encouraged to think critically and creatively and to develop personal ownership and appreciation of the knowledge constructed. Classroom examples are given in this paper to provide evidence that the teacher's role is crucial in a successful computer‐ based learning environment. The implications of computer‐supported learning environments to teacher development and education are also discussed.     

Transnational higher education for capacity development? An analysis of British degree programmes in Hong Kong

Drawing upon a project on British transnational education (TNE) programmes offered in Hong Kong, this paper interrogates the capacity development impact of TNE on the students, the Hong Kong Government and the programme providers. It addresses the questions: ‘What capacity is being developed in TNE operations?’ and ‘For whom?’ Our findings reveal multiple capacities at play. As TNE has been traded between British and Hong Kong universities and facilitated by the Hong Kong Government's laissez-faire doctrine, as a commodity in the neoliberal trade-in-education regime, students' interests are often sidelined. This paper calls for a critical reflection on this TNE model.     

香港特别行政区高等院校图书馆统计指标的发展研究

图书馆统计指标与规范直接关系着图书馆历史数据的准确性与有效性.自2000年6月香港特别行政区大学图书馆长联席会达成建立通用统计指标意向开始,历经12年的发展,现在香港地区高校图书馆已建立较为完善的统计指标体系.该文对香港地区高等院校图书馆统计指标与规范的发展历程进行回顾梳理,对比分析不同时期的统计指标的差异及最新指标与美国研究图书馆学会统计指标的差异,并对香港地区高校图书馆现行统计指标进行详细解读.     

International students: a vulnerable student population

This study examines the experiences of international students at The University of Toledo, where international students comprise approximately 10% of the student population. It highlights problems international students experience such as adapting to a new culture, English language problems, financial problems and lack of understanding from the broader University community. Recommendations for improvement include initiatives to raise the profile of international students, improved financial assistance and scholarships, and creating opportunities for international students to improve their spoken English skills.