Hong Kong students' and teachers' beliefs on students' concerns and their causal explanation

This paper is based on research investigating Hong Kong Chinese teachers' and students' perceptions of junior secondary students' concerns and of the causes of students' difficulties. Responses from 2,045 secondary students and 214 teachers revealed that both students and teachers had similar systems of beliefs about students' concerns and the causes of students' difficulties. As dimensions of most students' concerns, both groups referred to study and educational future; friendship; physical appearance; relationships at home, with peers and at school; and psychological well-being and maladjusted behaviour. Both groups in various degrees attributed students' difficulties to students themselves, the family, school or peers. Employing Moscovici's theory of social representation as a conceptual framework, the findings illustrated that students' concerns and causal attribution are social representations shared by both student and teacher groups. Mismatch between students' and teachers' perceptions was more a divergence of views than a disparity. Students' and teachers' different social identities and their protection of group self-esteem are offered as an explanation for the mismatch in perception.     

Pre-service physical education teachers' beliefs about competition in physical education

The discourse of competitive sport is, and has been, a defining feature of physical education for many years. Given the privileged and dominant position competition holds in physical education curricula, it is concerning that competitive physical education remains steeped in traditional pedagogies and that these pedagogies are constrained by teachers' everyday philosophies rather than any explicit understanding of pedagogy or the needs of pupils. This in turn affects pupils' experiences of physical education and specifically the type and form of activities that are offered to pupils. Physical education teachers' biographies generally show a profound attachment to sport, and in particular competitive sport, and the value of competitive sport is significant in the lives and identities of physical education recruits. However, there is a paucity of research specifically in relation to in-service and pre-service physical education teacher's beliefs about competition and its place in physical education. It is well documented that the implicit theories that pre-service, beginning and experienced teachers hold influence their reactions to teacher education and their teaching practice, with their beliefs acting as a filter through which a host of instructional judgements and decisions are made. Thus, it is important to understand pre-service physical education teachers' (PSTs') beliefs about competition. Thirty five (16 men, 15 women, 4 unknown) PSTs completed a reflective journal alongside their participation in a University-based module focused on models-based practice. The data generated were analysed using the procedures and techniques of grounded theory which revealed five major themes grouped in the discussion under the sub-categories of: (1) defining competition; (2) learning through competition; (3) competitive physical education and the sporting pathway; (4) competition needs to be got out of children; and (5) a little competition. The discussion challenges how we transform traditional views of competition and the competitive practices that alienate some young people from physical education.     

基于九因子模型的新手教师TPACK知识结构分析

教师所具有的TPACK知识反映其胜任课堂信息化教学的程度。先前关于TPACK的研究多是基于传统七因子模型,且已有研究表明,TPACK与教师的教学年限、教育信念、设计意向相关。在传统TPACK七因子模型基础上,加入建构主义教学信念和教师设计创新素质两个积极因素形成的TPACK九因子结构假设模型,经数据验证后表明:该模型适用于职业生涯初期阶段的新手教师;新手教师TPACK知识处于较低水平,与职前教师不存在显著差异,且受到其他因素的影响;新手教师建构主义信念和设计创新素质均对其TPACK知识的发展具有预测作用,该作用效果与普通在职教师一致;但新手教师PCK知识显著优于职前教师,且新手教师PCK对TPACK的发展存在负向预测关系,而职前教师和普通在职教师的PCK对TPACK不存在显著预测关系。新手教师可以通过强化PK、TPK和TCK的知识变化来促进TPACK的发展。     

Patterns of development in second-career teachers' conceptions of teaching and learning

This study was aimed at deepening our understanding of second-career teachers' conceptions of teaching and learning. Initial conceptions held by 207 candidates entering an alternative teacher education programme were explored using a semi-structured questionnaire covering background characteristics and four themes concerning teaching and learning. A limited number of distinct conceptions could be identified and related to respondents' background characteristics. After the first semester of the programme, three patterns of development were found in a subset of 69 participants: growth, consolidation and regression. Pedagogical implications for fostering growth in second-career teachers are discussed.     

论宋代江浙地区白龙母信仰

宋代江浙地区存在三大白龙母信仰圈,其中,平江府地区信奉阳山白龙母缪氏和海隅山白龙母蒋氏,镇江府地区信奉吴塘白龙母吴氏,而嘉兴府地区信奉的陈山白龙母身份较为模糊,宋人大多认为其与阳山白龙母缪氏为同一人。白龙母身份出现混淆,其原因在于此三地龙母传说的共通之处：女子感异孕龙、龙母生龙即亡及龙子均为世俗化的孝龙。无论白龙母的身份混淆与否,政府的态度都是“惟灵是信”。由此,反映出宋代江浙地区儒家文化盛行、水网密布和农业经济发达以及佛教兴盛的地域文化特色。