General university requirements and holistic development in university students in Hong Kong

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T.L. Shek ◽  
Lu Yu
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Student Development ◽  
Undergraduate Curriculum ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Holistic Development ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Static Group ◽  
Better Than

Abstract The General University Requirements (GUR) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is an integral part of the new 4-year undergraduate curriculum which attempts to promote holistic student development. To evaluate the effectiveness of the GUR, a study adopting a static group comparison design was conducted, with a sample of Year 3 PolyU students studied in the 4-year undergraduate degree program (n=566) compared with a control Year 3 sample recruited from a comparable university in Hong Kong (n=285). The students in both samples responded to measures on empathy, positive youth development, and engagement in university study. Results showed that although both groups basically did not differ in the major background demographic variables, PolyU students performed better than did the students of the control group on measures of holistic development. Bearing in mind the intrinsic problems of the static comparison group design, the present findings provide support for the effectiveness of the GUR at PolyU.

The impact of 3-year and 4-year undergraduate programs on university students: the case of Hong Kong

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T.L. Shek ◽  
Lu Yu
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
General Education ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Undergraduate Curriculum ◽  
Degree Program ◽  
Control Group ◽  
School Year ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Better Than

Abstract The undergraduate curriculum structure in Hong Kong was changed from 3 years to 4 years starting from the 2012–2013 school year, with the extra year of study primarily devoted to general education study. At The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the General University Requirements (GUR) has been designed in response to this change. In this study, the question of whether the development of students in the 4-year program was better than that of the 3-year program was examined via a static group comparison design. The treatment group was Year 3 students of the 4-year undergraduate degree program (n=566) whereas the control group comprised Year 3 students of the 3-year degree program (n=290). Measures on empathy, positive youth development, and student engagement were used as indicators of student holistic development. While the mean age of students in the 3-year program was higher than that of the 4-year program, students in the 4-year program performed better than the students of the 3-year program on several indicators of desired graduate attributes. Bearing in mind the limitations of the static comparison group design, the present study provides support for the positive impact of GUR at PolyU on students of the 4-year undergraduate curriculum.

scholarly journals Development and Evaluation of a Positive Youth Development Course for University Students in Hong Kong

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T. L. Shek ◽  
Rachel C. F. Sun ◽  
Y. H. Chui ◽  
S. W. Lit ◽  
Walter W. Yuen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
University Students ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Holistic Development ◽  
Developmental Problems ◽  
Academic Year

With higher education, university graduates are important elements of the labor force in knowledge-based economies. With reference to the mental health and developmental problems in university students, there is a need to review university’s role in nurturing holistic development of students. Based on the positive youth development approach, it is argued that promoting intrapersonal competencies is an important strategy to facilitate holistic development of young people in Hong Kong. In The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, a course entitled Tomorrow’s Leader focusing on positive youth development constructs to promote student well-being will be offered on a compulsory basis starting from 2012/13 academic year under the new undergraduate curriculum structure. The proposed course was piloted in 2010/11 school year. Different evaluation strategies, including objective outcome evaluation, subjective outcome evaluation, process evaluation, and qualitative evaluation, are being carried out to evaluate the developed course. Preliminary evaluation findings based on the piloting experience in 2010/11 academic year are presented in this paper.

scholarly journals Nurturing Holistic Development of University Students in Hong Kong: Where Are We and Where Should We Go?

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 563-575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T. L. Shek
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
University Students ◽  
General Education ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Interpersonal Relationship ◽  
Freshman Seminar ◽  
Holistic Development ◽  
Developmental Problems ◽  
Relationship Skills ◽  
Development Approach

With reference to the mental health and developmental problems among university students, there is a need to review the university's role in nurturing holistic development of students. This paper explores the question of how holistic development of university students in Hong Kong can be promoted. Based on the positive youth development approach, it is argued that promotion of intrapersonal competencies, interpersonal relationship skills, civic responsibilities, and citizenship among university students is an important strategy to facilitate holistic development of young people in Hong Kong. Two general education or freshman seminar courses that focus on the cultivation of intrapersonal competencies, interpersonal relationship skills, civic responsibilities, and sense of citizenship among university students in Hong Kong are proposed.

scholarly journals MENGINTEGRASIKAN LIFE SKILLS KE DALAM PROGRAM LATIHAN PENCAK SILAT UNTUK PENGEMBANGAN PEMUDA YANG POSITIF

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yurin Rachmatika Cahyani
Keyword(s):  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Life Skills ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
The Other ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sports Training ◽  
Control Group Design ◽  
Group Design ◽  
Better Than

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of integrating life skills into pencak silat training for positive youth development. The method used in this study was the matching only-pretest-posttest control group design. The instrument used was the Life Skills Scale for Sport (LSSS). The results showed that there were significant differences among the group integrating life skills in pencak silat training programs,  the group not integrating life skills in pencak silat training programs, and groups that did not involve in sports training for positive youth development. The group integrating life skills in pencak silat training programs and the group that did not integrate life skills in pencak silat training programs were better than the group that did not practice pencak silat training programs. On the other hand, a better influence on positive youth development occurred in the group integrating life skills in pencak silat training programs compared to the group that did not integrate life skills in pencak silat training programs.

A Community Health Education Program on Malaria in Nigeria

1988 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerry Emeka Ogbudimkpa ◽  
William Creswell ◽  
Barbara Lambert ◽  
Rodney E. Kingston
Keyword(s):  
Health Education ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Community Health Education ◽  
Health Education Program ◽  
Knowledge Test ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Better Than

This study determined the effect of a health education program on malaria disease control among the citizens of Nkanu-local government area, a community in Nigeria. Participants consisted of subjects that used the Nkanu community hospital for their health care. Initially, 300 subjects were randomly selected for the study (150 experimental and 150 control) from Ama-nkanu village, but only 202 subjects completed the study. Results of the pre- and posttest on field tests and that of posttest on knowledge acquisition demonstrated significant differences between the two groups on knowledge and environmental improvements. The treatment group performed better than the control group on the knowledge test. On the environmental tests, the experimental group also demonstrated noticeable changes (improvements) when compared to the control group.

scholarly journals Use of Open-Ended Student Worksheet to Improve Mathematics Communication Skills in Algebra

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 402-416
Author(s):  
Heru Kurniawan ◽  
Prasetyo Budi Darmono
Keyword(s):  
Communication Skills ◽  
Mathematics Learning ◽  
Learning Activity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mathematical Communication ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
Essay Tests ◽  
Static Group ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Better Than

Communication is the foundation of every learning activity. Mathematical communication is a skill to represent ideas in mathematical language so that it is understood by others who are used in problem-solving activities. This study aims to improve mathematical communication skills by using open-ended student worksheets in algebra. The research sample involved 6 junior high schools in Purworejo Regency, Indonesia which is divided into 2 groups, the experimental group consists of 91 students and the control group consists of 96 students. The study design used a randomized static group comparison design. The research instrument used 5 item essay tests that contained non-routine problems. The data analysis technique used an independent sample T-test. The results showed that the communication skills of students who were subjected to learning using open-ended student worksheets were better than the communication skills of students who were subjected to learning using student worksheets that are commonly used by teachers. These results provide an important impact that teachers should always integrate the presentation of non-routine problems in the form of worksheets as an integral part of mathematics learning.

scholarly journals Follow Your Virtual Trainer (FYVT): a randomised controlled trial protocol of IT-based lifestyle intervention programme to promote physical activity and health among middle-aged Hong Kong Chinese

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e017908 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanley Sai-Chuen Hui ◽  
Yao Jie Xie ◽  
Ron Chi-Wai Kwok ◽  
Eric Wing-Cheung Tam ◽  
Winnie Wing Sze Mak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Lifestyle Intervention ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Intervention Programme ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Randomised Controlled

IntroductionHong Kong is a highly urbanised city where many people work long hours. The limited time and lack of professional instruction are the typical barriers to exercise. The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of an information technology-based lifestyle intervention programme on improving physical activity (PA) level and health status in a sample of middle-aged Hong Kong adults.Methods and analysisA two-arm parallel randomised controlled trial named ‘Follow Your Virtual Trainer’ will be conducted among 200 physically inactive Chinese adults aged from 40 to 65 years. Those randomly allocated to an intervention group will be under the instruction of a web-based computer software termed ‘Virtual Trainer (VT)’ to conduct a 3-month self-planned PA programme. A series of online seminars with healthy lifestyle information will be released to the participants biweekly for 3 months. After that, 6 months observation will follow. Those in the control group will only receive a written advice of standard PA recommendation and the textual content of the seminars. The assessments will be implemented at baseline, the 3rd, 6th and 9th months. The primary outcome is PA measured by accelerometer and International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The secondary outcomes include cardiorespiratory fitness, resting energy expenditure, anthropometrics, body composition, blood pressure, health-related quality of life, sleep quality and quantity, fatigue, behaviour mediators and maintenance of PA. The main effectiveness of the intervention will be assessed by a linear mixed model that tests the random effect of treatment on outcomes at the 3rd, 6th and 9th months.Ethics and disseminationThis trial has been approved by the Joint Chinese University of Hong Kong—New Territories East Cluster Clinical Research Ethics Committee (CRE 2015235). The study results will be presented at scientific conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberNCT02553980.

scholarly journals Promotion of Thriving Among Hong Kong Chinese Adolescents: Evidence From Eight-Wave Data

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 870-883 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T. L. Shek ◽  
Xiaoqin Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Chinese Adolescents ◽  
Individual Growth ◽  
Control School ◽  
Control Group ◽  
School Students ◽  
Experimental School ◽  
Curve Modeling ◽  
Adolescent Thriving

Objectives: This study evaluated the longitudinal effect of a positive youth development (PYD) program entitled “Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social Programmes” (Project P.A.T.H.S.) on perceived thriving among Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong. Method: Individual growth curve modeling analyses were performed using eight waves of data collected over 5 years from 23 experimental schools ( N = 3,607) and 24 control schools ( N = 3,574). Results: Adolescent thriving declined faster among control school students relative to experimental school students. While the two groups did not differ at Wave 1 and Wave 2 on the mean thriving levels, experimental school students showed higher thriving levels at Wave 3 to Wave 7 than did the control group students. Such differences between the two groups were more salient among girls than among boys, suggesting a stronger intervention effect for girls. Conclusion: The present findings suggest that PYD programs can promote thriving in Chinese adolescents.

Do university students change after taking a subject on leadership and intrapersonal development?

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T.L. Shek ◽  
Cecilia M.S. Ma
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Experimental Design ◽  
University Students ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Holistic Development ◽  
The Subject

AbstractThe changes in university students after taking a subject on leadership and intrapersonal development (“Tomorrow’s Leaders” at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University) are presented in this paper. Adopting a pre-experimental design (one group pretest-posttest design), 1029 students responded to a questionnaire assessing different aspects of development, including measures of positive youth development and life satisfaction. While students showed positive changes in self-determination, thriving and life satisfaction, their scores declined in some measures of positive youth development. The present findings are consistent with the previous findings that the subject is able to promote the holistic development of university students in Hong Kong, but it also generated some odd findings to be clarified in future studies.

Using Social Networks Communication Platform for Promoting Student-Initiated Holistic Development Among Students

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Chi Ho So ◽  
Siu Yuen Lam
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Student Development ◽  
Online Social Networks ◽  
Communication Channels ◽  
Development Project ◽  
Holistic Development ◽  
Communication Platform ◽  
Information Circulation

This article follows previous research works on the possibility of applying online social networks for educational purposes, and mainly focuses on how Facebook is being used as a platform to communicate among students of a student development project run by a local tertiary institute in Hong Kong which aimed to facilitate promotion and foster participation and interaction. The study takes on the perspectives from 7 student coaches and evaluate on the positive achievement as well as difficulties in promoting self-initiated holistic development via Facebook from 2011 to 2013. The study shows that instant interaction between participants and student coaches via Facebook leads to faster and more effective information circulation compared to traditional communication channels such as email, posters or bulletins. However, the lack of proactive discussions initiated by participants themselves, and the difficulties in establishing and maintaining active interactions between coaches and participants had been observed. Such passive practice by participants has hindered the effectiveness of fostering self-initiated holistic development.

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