This exploratory study describes how 2 classes of secondary 6 commerce students in Hong Kong have used a web-based collaborative tool, Knowledge Community (KC) to build a project called “Writing up a Business Plan” collaboratively. Using a number of 2-level scaffolds, students participated in the forum discussion to build business plan. The entire process unfolds how students, facilitated by scaffolds and teachers, brainstorm business idea and mission, decide on the type of product, plan production line and eventually formulate a business plan. The sample consisted of 41 students and 2 facilitators. Students’ participation in KC was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The strategies, suggestions and the feasibility of adopting KC for projects in schools will also be shared, along with the implications and key learning points of this project. Copyright © 2004 全球華人計算機教育應用學會.

知識管理是近年教育界熱點話題之一,特別是當一所學校或機構進入新舊交替的時期,需要將校內的集體智慧、顯性及隱性知識、專業技能整合,並於一個互相信任的平台上進行分享,才能將知識承傳下去。筆者觀察的特殊學校,於 2009 年開始從教職發展的方向入手,利用行動研究進行知識分享,推行「一人一行動研究」,即是校方要求教師及專責人員,每年就著自己工作的困難, 進行行動研究。經過數年的發展,校內形成了彼此分享、彼此信任的文化,並且漸漸建立了學習社群的雛型。因此,本文嘗試探討和觀察,這所特殊學校如何在一定的「知識管理」基礎上,以「協同行動研究,建立學習社群」的計劃。Copyright by Special Education Society of Hong Kong Limited. All Rights Reserved.

The Learning Study approach has been developed over ten years by a research team comprising school teachers and academics in Hong Kong. It is a systematic process of enquiry into teaching and learning, employing an action research methodology, and underpinned by the Variation Theory. Under Learning Study, teachers are expected to learn cooperatively and become reflective practitioners by practicing the theories postulated from others. Learning Study can be used to enhance teachers’ pedagogical capabilities and professional development. This paper describes how Learning Study, which initially started as a modest project to find ways to cater for individual differences in main stream schools in Hong Kong, became a powerful tool for schools in achieving these aims. Working in close collaboration with the Hong Kong Institute of Education, Learning Study developed as a major component of a mentoring system, which resulted in the creation of learning communities in schools, where the focus is on enhancing teaching and learning. Such a system benefits all teachers involved, whether novice or very experienced. Starting with only two schools in 1999, schools in the Learning Study network rapidly expanded to over 200 schools in 2010. The success of Learning Study in Hong Kong will be analyzed under the following factors: its conceptual framework, methodology, partnership with higher education institutions, positioning, reform context and culture, and dissemination strategy and the diffusion process in and across schools. Its potential for moving towards improving the status of the profession as a whole will also be discussed.

通識教育科在新高中課程是四個核心科目之一，教師專業發展被視為推行該課程的重要因素。這文章嘗試探討與通識科教師專業發展相關的議題。雖然通識科教師對課程實施有不同的關注，但該科肯定為教師提供機會發揮教師專業能力。這文章對通識科教師的專業知識結構加以檢視，並且把它分成課程知識、學科教學知識和實踐性知識三個類別。另外，通識教育科教師的專業發展有培訓課程、實踐平台和教師網絡多種途徑。
Liberal Studies will be one of the four core subjects in the new senior secondary (NSS) curriculum. Teacher professional development is regarded as an important factor in implementing this subject. This paper is to explore the issues related to the professional development of Liberal Studies teachers. Although the implementation of Liberal Studies stimulates different teachers' concerns, it surely provides teachers with opportunities to demonstrate their competence. The structure of professional knowledge of Liberal Studies teachers is examined in this paper and can be categorized as curriculum knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge and practical knowledge. In addition, professional development courses, practice and teacher network are the possible ways for the continuous professional development.
[Copyright of Hong Kong Teachers' Centre Journal is the property of Hong Kong Teachers' Centre at http://www.edb.org.hk/hktc]