This research focuses on building a computer-supported learning environment for fostering inquiry learning process, which is an essential quality of life-long learners. This research discusses how computer- mediated learning resources are designed and implemented for supporting inquiry learning of primary school children to have better understanding of puberty - a core element in the Health and Living Strand of General Studies in the Hong Kong primary curriculum. The computer- mediated learning resources include virtual devices and case studies. The various virtual devices of balance, meter rule, magnifying lens, and x-ray machine helped learners look into the body changes and sexual development during puberty, as well as reproductive anatomy. The case studies provide situations of harassment and questions early adolescents may encounter. Teachers can guide pupils to work individually or in groups to search for supporting information from the virtual devices for making wise choices. Hence, the learning resources serve to support teachers to provide a computer-supported classroom learning environment for inquiry learning of puberty.

This paper reported the nature of multimedia teaching materials and focuses of discussions of in-service teachers in a web-based learning environment. The significance of the study was that in-service teachers had developed useful multimedia teaching materials for their daily teaching and these could be shared among their peers. Besides, the study on the focuses of teachers' discussions and sharing provided insight and direction of further implementation of discussion forums for teachers.

This article mainly addresses the Hong Kong new Information Technology in Education policy to have further integration of information technology into the learning and teaching process, particularly on the design of IT-supported inquiry learning in the primary General Studies. The article focuses on the collaborative effort of the teacher educators from the Institute of Education and the curriculum developers of the Hong Kong Education City in the design of a web-based learning unit on "Earth Movement" to support pupils' inquiry learning of science. The article discusses the different modes of inquiry learning with the web-based learning unit in primary General Studies

This research studied how resource-based learning environment (RBLE) with multimedia resources facilitates students to develop understanding of "Hong Kong Economics". The study established an RBLE by creating authentic contexts, selecting appropriate resources and tools, and adopting necessary scaffolds. Three classes of students aged 11-12 were involved in learning of the different sub-topics in various approaches: a learner-centred approach with individual computer; a teacher-centred approach with one single teacher computer; and an interactive approach of group use of a computer. The analysis included video-taped lessons and interview responses, with a finding that deep learning is effected from a more learner-centred approach.

This paper describes the learning experience of the student-teachers in an initial teacher education programme run by the Hong Kong Institute of Education. The focus is on the teaching practice period of the programme and the report is made through the eyes of the student-teachers as regards the support they received from their co-operating teachers. In order to enhance the quality of support provided by the co-operating teachers, the first phase of the study is an intervention in which training sessions for the co-operating teachers are provided prior to the teaching practice period. In the sessions, an introduction to recent educational theories; classroom observation skills and basic counseling skills are discussed. This study also includes an evaluation of the intervention through an examination of the quality of guidance provided by the co-operating teachers. The data collected include interviews with the student-teachers, conversation records between the co-operating teachers and the student-teachers, and journals written by the student-teachers during the teaching practice period. The findings contrast the support provided by the trained and untrained co-operating teachers as well as the experience of the student-teachers under their guidance. This paper concludes with different modes of support perceived and discusses implications on the design of field experience for initial teacher education programmes.
[Copyright © 2000 The Hong Kong Institute of Education.]

This paper shares the personal experience of a teacher educator in Hong Kong who took the opportunity of lecturer attachment to a local primary school to field-test the application of information technology (IT) in teaching a primary school subject in Hong Kong. This is with the aim to get herself familiar with the application of IT in teaching primary pupils, as well as to initiate more discussion and demonstration in promoting the use of IT to the pre-service teachers. The paper also reports on how the teacher educator planned, implemented and evaluated her teaching, along with the difficulties encountered. The paper concludes with practical suggestions for teacher educators and pre-service teachers in Hong Kong on how to implement IT effectively in primary classrooms.

The teaching practice is a crucial part of the teacher education program. During the field experience program, student-teachers put the theory learnt into practice, and acquire teaching experience in actual school settings. The quality of learning acquired largely depends on the quality of support provided by the Institute and the schools before and during the practice period. Dispoto's study stated that student-teachers experienced conflict and stress during their field experience. The strain to learn to teach may result in feelings of incompetence and lack of confidence, and may affect the attitude, behaviour and performance of the student-teachers. Besides support from the Institute, student-teachers also receive support from teachers (mentors) in the schools where they perform their practice. With reference to the expectations for mentors concluded by Grimmentt and Ratzlaff, mentors need some pre-requisite knowledge and skills, e.g. observation skills, up-dated knowledge on education theories, ability to undertake critical analysis of one's and other people' lesson in order to involving student-teachers in planing and evaluating learning experience, conferring and evaluating their development through regular observation and feedback. Since the establishment of the Hong Kong Institute of Education in 1994, a new form of teaching practice has been introduced in the 2-year full time primary teacher education program, namely the Co-operating Teacher Scheme (CTS). Co- operating teachers from schools are assigned to student-teachers and perform the functions of the mentors. In a local study student-teachers were found to have lowered the perception of their competence after the teaching practice. Our previous researches revealed that the co-operating teachers (CTs) would like to have more updated knowledge of education theories, teaching strategies, observation and communication skills so as to enhance the learning of the student-teachers. In order to improve the quality