Levels of reflection on teaching a leadership and positive youth development subject

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hildie Leung
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
General Education ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
University Curriculum ◽  
Education Environment ◽  
The Impact

AbstractTo promote holistic development in Chinese university students in Hong Kong, a general education subject entitled “Tomorrow’s Leaders” was developed and has been fully implemented in the new 4-year university curriculum since 2012. In the present article, the Onion Model is used as a framework for conducting systematic teacher reflection to enhance professional development. Challenges and issues central to the environment, behavior, competencies, beliefs, identity, and mission, as experienced and observed by a teacher of a leadership and positive youth development subject in Hong Kong, are discussed. Issues include the Hong Kong education environment, the impact of reinforcement, and the role of culture in teaching and learning, as well as postulations on leadership and human development. The article concludes with implications of the core reflection on my personal development.

Qualitative evaluation of general university requirements in a new 4-year university curriculum: findings based on experiences of students

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T.L. Shek ◽  
Lu Yu ◽  
Florence K.Y. Wu ◽  
Catalina S.M. Ng ◽  
Wen Yu Chai
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
General Education ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
The North ◽  
University Curriculum ◽  
American Model ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Following the North American model, the length of undergraduate program in Hong Kong has been extended from 3 to 4 years since 2012. To maximize the impact of the additional year, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has implemented a new general education framework entitled “General University Requirements (GUR)” aiming to cultivate students in a holistic manner. This study explored students’ impressions of the GUR subjects using a survey collecting primarily qualitative data. Results from 163 students of eight faculties showed that students perceived the GUR subjects favorably. Having opportunities to make new friends from other departments and the teaching and learning methods, particularly experiential learning stimulated students’ interest and enriched their learning experiences which were reportedly are unforgettable. Some of the obstacles encountered by students in several subjects were identified. The beneficial effects of the GUR subjects in different domains were voiced by the students.

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.

Objective Outcome Evaluation of a Positive Youth Development Program: The Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecilia M. S. Ma ◽  
Daniel T. L. Shek
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
Chinese Adolescents ◽  
Positive Development ◽  
Program Content ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Objective Outcome

Objective: The present study explored the outcomes of a positive youth development (PYD) program entitled “Project P.A.T.H.S.” based on a total of 12,281 Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong. Method: To understand the impact of this program, the study assessed the changes in developmental outcomes using a single group pretest and posttest design. Results: Findings showed that the participants displayed positive changes in PYD attributes, life satisfaction, and thriving after joining the program regardless of the program content. Conclusion: In conjunction with other studies, the study demonstrates the benefits of PYD programs in promoting positive development in Chinese adolescents.

Focus group evaluation of teachers’ views on a new general education program in Hong Kong

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-74
Author(s):  
Daniel T.L. Shek ◽  
Lu Yu ◽  
Xinli Chi
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
General Education ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Difficulty Level ◽  
Freshman Seminar ◽  
Group Evaluation ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Using teachers’ focus group interviews (n=40), this study examined the impact of the General University Requirements (GUR) implemented at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). Results showed that teachers were generally satisfied with the GUR subjects and its implementation in its second year. Teachers regarded the design of GUR subjects was good and the students generally welcomed the subjects. Interactive teaching and learning methods adopted in GUR subjects such as fieldwork, hands-on projects, and team debates were highly appreciated by the respondents. Teachers also reflected that the GUR had promoted the intrapersonal and interpersonal development of the students. However, several challenges were also reported by teachers, including the difficulty level of Freshman Seminar subjects and lack of interaction in some GUR subjects, which suggested directions for further improvements.

The students were happy, but did they change positively?

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T.L. Shek ◽  
Lu Yu ◽  
Cecilia M.S. Ma
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
University Students ◽  
General Education ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Character Strengths ◽  
Leadership Qualities ◽  
Moral Competence ◽  
Service Leadership ◽  
The Subject

AbstractAt The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, a 2-credit General Education subject entitled “Service Leadership” was developed to promote service leadership qualities (including leadership competencies, moral character, and caring disposition) in university students. The subject was piloted in one class with 60 students in the 2012/2013 academic year. Pretest and posttest data utilizing measures of positive youth development, life satisfaction, and service leadership qualities were collected. Positive changes in the program participants were found, particularly for measures in behavioral competence, moral competence, character strengths, general positive youth development qualities, and overall service leadership qualities. The present study provided preliminary support for the effectiveness of the subject in nurturing service leadership qualities of Chinese university students in Hong Kong.

Cognitive competence: a key positive youth development construct for university students

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T.L. Shek ◽  
Lu Yu
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
General Education ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Cognitive Competence ◽  
Effective Leaders ◽  
Important Quality ◽  
Intended Learning Outcomes ◽  
Learning Issues

AbstractCognitive competence is an important quality for effective leaders. To help university students understand the importance of cognitive competence and develop this quality, a lecture on cognitive competence is designed and incorporated in a general education subject entitled “Tomorrow’s Leaders”. The present paper reviews the basic concepts and theories of cognitive competence and outlines its linkages with positive youth development and effective leadership. The objectives, intended learning outcomes for students, lecture outline, and related materials of the lecture on cognitive competence are introduced. Some teaching and learning issues in relation to this lecture are also discussed.

scholarly journals General education program in a new 4-year university curriculum in Hong Kong: findings based on multiple evaluation strategies

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T.L. Shek ◽  
Lu Yu ◽  
Florence K.Y. Wu ◽  
Catalina S.M. Ng
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
General Education ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
University Curriculum ◽  
Evaluation Strategies ◽  
Undergraduate Programs ◽  
Academic Year ◽  
Objective Outcome

AbstractSince the 2012−2013 academic year, undergraduate programs in Hong Kong have been changed from 3 years to 4 years, with the additional year focusing primarily on general education. A new general education framework entitled General University Requirements (GUR) implemented at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) was examined in a 5-year longitudinal project. Based on different evaluation strategies, including objective outcome evaluation, subjective outcome evaluation and qualitative evaluation (focus groups, case studies, and document analyses), findings consistently showed that students had positive perceptions of the subject content, teachers as well as teaching and learning methods in GUR subjects. A large majority of students perceived that the GUR subjects were effective in promoting the five desirable graduate attributes defined by PolyU (i.e. problem solving, critical thinking ability, effective communication, ethical leadership, and lifelong learning).

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document