This study compares and contrasts teachers' and students' perceptions of online teaching and learning during the COVID-pandemic in higher education using the co-orientation model. Data were collected from 145 students and 31 teachers in two Hong Kong higher education institutions. The findings show that teachers were generally more negative about online teaching and learning than students, but such negative views should be reconsidered as students positively evaluated teachers' efforts to various degrees. It is suggested that during future online learning experiences (1) teachers and students set up expectations together to evaluate online interactions, (2) teachers should not be overly concerned about the potential embarrassment of using camera for class activities, and (3) teachers pay more attention to feedback delivery. Understanding these gaps will provide teachers with insights into more strategic communication and planning to manage the expectations and optimise the online experience for both parties. Copyright © 2022 Elsevier.

Background and aims: Mathematics is one of the critical elements of STEM education. However, the importance of mathematics has not been fully emphasized in the practice of STEM education (Martín‐Páez et al., 2019). Promoting STEM education in mathematics education is one of the focal points of the Hong Kong school curriculum (CDC, 2017). In this study, we introduced an innovative STEM learning activity in the classroom based on the topic of 3D shapes in the primary mathematics curriculum. The aim was to provide an example of a school-based mathematics curriculum integrated with STEM education and offer teachers the design and development of STEM pedagogy.Methodology or process(es) undertaken: Focusing on the learning objective of recognizing the concept of 3D shape, we designed an interdisciplinary STEM learning activity in grade two in a Hong Kong primary school. Students learned the concept of a cylinder in the Funny Zoetrope Project. A curriculum consultant, a mathematics teacher and a visual art teacher collaborated to implement the whole teaching design within seven lessons (five mathematics lessons and two visual art lessons). A series of learning booklets were designed for teaching and learning. Regarding the process of preliminary preparation, teaching arrangement, course implementation, and after-class feedback, the STEM learning activity was incorporated into the school-based mathematics curriculum.Results and conclusions: The STEM learning activity based on the mathematical topic provides students with opportunities to see, know and understand the mathematical concept in STEM education. Students experience interdisciplinary learning during the process of making a zoetrope. They learn to integrate and apply knowledge and skills they have learned in mathematics and visual art. Some generic skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, communication, and self-assessment skills are also developed. Copyright © 2022 7th STEM in Education Conference.

Objective: This study examines the effects of a well-being intervention based on the PROSPER (i.e., Positivity, Relationship, Outcomes, Strength, Purpose, Engagement, and Resilience) framework, on well-being outcomes among preschool in-service teachers in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic.Method: We recruited 76 in-service teachers (Mage=26.05, SD=4.71, nfemale=93.4%). Participants completed a survey that measured the PROSPER components of well-being in baseline and 2-month after baseline, from February 2021 to May 2021. They were randomly assigned into the intervention group (n=36; who received four intervention workshops, an online activity and four educational videos with self-reflection activity) and waitlist control group (n=40; who received four intervention workshops after completing the data collection). MANCOVA and ANCOVA, controlling for sex, age and teaching experience, were adopted to examine the intervention effects.Results: MANCOVA results showed a significant multivariate group x time interaction effect of the intervention on the PROSPER outcome variables compared to the control group, Wilks’ Lambda F(7,65) =3.80, p<.001, η2=.29. Results of univariate analyses suggested that participants in the intervention group scored significantly higher on positivity, strength, purpose, and resilience (η2=.08-.11, p<.05) than those in the control condition over time.Conclusion: Our findings provide preliminary evidence on the mental health benefits of the PROSPER-based psychological intervention program among in-service preschool teachers. School principals are encouraged to invest in school-based teacher training initiatives that focus on teachers’ well-being as pandemic-related job stressors might potentially deplete their psychological resources and mental health. Copyright © 2022 European Conference on Education.

Background and aims: The theoretical rationale of STEM education has originated from the curriculum integration theories. Numerous studies have discussed the integration of STEM education in covering the interconnected nature of the four disciplines and real-life problems. Three approaches have been widely mentioned, which included multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary (Vasquez et al., 2013). Although teachers play a core role in designing and implementing STEM pedagogy at schools, little research explored mathematics teachers’ views of STEM. Hence, this exploratory study aims to explore mathematics teachers’ perceptions of STEM education to address the issue. Specifically, the study sought to describe the concerns and challenges faced by Hong Kong mathematics teachers in implementing STEM education, and to expand our understanding of implementing STEM education in mathematics teaching.Methodology or process(es) undertaken: By purposive sampling, nine Hong Kong mathematics teachers (4 primary, 5 secondary) were invited into online interviews. Interviewees were selected based on the criteria that they had taught mathematics in schools and had participated in STEM education. Their teaching experience ranged from 5 to 15 years. They were asked to report their views on the goals and values of STEM education, the approaches of STEM integration, challenges they faced, and its relationship to mathematics.Results and conclusions: It is found that two values of STEM education are recognized by Hong Kong mathematics teachers, which include promoting students' personal development and social technological innovation. Three integration approaches of STEM pedagogy (multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary) are identified. The transdisciplinary approach is most preferred, but the interdisciplinary approach is most adopted. Teachers perceives both internal and external challenges when implementing STEM at schools. The external challenges are related

With the poverty rate of Hong Kong reaching 23.6%, the development and well-being of children from economically disadvantaged families becomes a concern for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers. Children with lower socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds tend to have poorer development in early language and literacy skills, which may then adversely affect their later academic achievement and school success. This development gap between low- and middle-SES children may begin in kindergarten and persist throughout their formal education and beyond. This may be particularly true for ethnic minority groups, which often have to deal with not only economic pressure but also other stressors, including prejudice, discrimination, and cultural adaption. Composed of mostly Southeast Asians, ethnic minority groups constitute about 8% of the Hong Kong population. Importantly, the number of ethnic minority children continues to rise, underscoring the importance of increasing teachers’ multicultural competence and promoting the cultural integration among students in school. In this talk, the speaker will provide an overview about the language and literacy development among children from low-SES and ethnic minority families. The speaker will also explain how we may support these children by promoting culturally responsive teaching in kindergartens, providing professional training for early childhood educators and multicultural teaching assistants, and developing culturally responsive education benchmarks. Copyright © 2022 PECERA-HK.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the effects of a multi-component positive psychology intervention on psychological well-being (i.e., autonomy, environmental mastery, positive relationships, purpose in life, personal growth and self-acceptance) outcomes among pre-service preschool teachers in Hong Kong.Method: Participants were pre-service preschool teachers (N=67, Mage=21.45, SD=3.46, nfemale=95.3%). They were randomly assigned into the intervention group (n=34; who received four intervention workshops and a theory-driven mobile phone application) and waitlist control group (n=33; who received intervention materials after completing the data collection). Participants completed a survey that measured their psychological well-being at baseline and two months later. MANCOVA and ANCOVA were used to examine the intervention effects by adjusting for sex and age.Results: MANCOVA results showed no significant multivariate group x time interaction effects of the intervention on psychological well-being, Wilks’ Lambda F(6,58) =2.04, p=.07, η2=.17. However, in the results of ANCOVA, significant group x time interaction effects were found in environmental mastery, purpose in life, personal growth, and self-acceptance (η2=.09-.14, p<.05). The results showed that the intervention group scored significantly higher on those variables than the control group over time.Conclusion: The multi-component positive psychology intervention is a promising way to promote four dimensions of pre-service teachers’ psychological well-being. Positive psychology training (e.g., introduction of growth mindset, SMART goals, psychological needs support) can be included in teacher education to equip the pre-service teachers with positive psychological skills/mindset before entering the stressful teaching environment. Copyright © 2022 European Conference on Education.

近些年來，作為一種整合課程的STEM教育在全球各地蓬勃發展。如何將學校常規教學跟STEM學習有效地融合起來，是推行STEM教育需要面對的問題。我國香港地區的小學數學課堂教學在探索實踐中，基於數學課題設計相關的STEM教學活動，在協助學生理解數學學科知識的同時，促進他們跨學科、跨領域知識的學習和應用。 Copyright © 2022 江西教育出版社有限責任公司.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand the dilemmas facing Hong Kong vice-principals in discharging their roles and to further explore their engagement in informal mentoring as a coping mechanism in the absence of a structured professional development program. Design/methodology/approach – The qualitative study was conducted in the form of in-depth face-to-face, loosely structured individual interviews with ten informants from a variety of personal and school backgrounds, contributing to a set of data that unveiled the basic themes. Findings – Three dilemmas facing Hong Kong vice-principals were identified: juggling administrative work with teaching, standing by management or siding with peer teachers, and forced innovation vs omnipresent conservatism. The findings also suggested that the informants tended toward external resources intentionally with a view to gaining emotional support as well as professional stimulation. They also engaged in informal mentoring, which took the form of observing principals’ behaviors, joining support groups organized by school governing bodies, and enrolling in academic programs offered by universities and/or professional bodies, as a way to resolve the dilemmas. Research limitations/implications – Informal mentoring has been identified as an effective approach for Hong Kong vice-principals to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to overcome workplace challenges and the feelings of loneliness experienced upon changing their role. The findings point to the importance of formalizing mentoring in vice-principal development programs. Originality/value – This study is the first of its kind to explore the impact of informal mentoring on vice-principals in Hong Kong where both dual-career track systems and a structured mentoring programs are missing. Copyright © 2016 Emerald Group Publishing Limited.