With the use of questionnaire, observation and case study, the current practice in using multi-media tcchnology in schools for mentally handicapped (MH) children was studied. The aims, staff expertise, use, software and school-based work in computers were identified for investigation. The results indicated that the recent development was positive and encouraging. Provided with adcquate facilities, most schools with MH students introduced computer technology in classroom teaching. Although MH students may have different kinds of physical and intellectual disabilities, the use of technology and accessories helped them overcome their learning difficulties. A larger proportion of teachers reflected that they were not professionally trained to meet the growing demands of computer-based technology. They stated their limitations and shared their successful experience in school-based work. Regarding the lack of expertise, it was recommended that the authority should provide more positive support and resources to the schools while the schools should take strategic measures for staff development in this area.
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This research project attcmpted to study the use of Control Theory in counseling in a school for social development in Hong Kong. Based on counseling records of students, the effectiveness of control theory and the needs of students were explored. Results suggest that control Theory methods are useful in helping students develop the sense of self-discipline. The frequency of students who require counseling service may serve as a criterion for screening disruptive students
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This paper discussed class discipline and management of children with severely mentally handicap. The authors argued that effective teachers could manage children's learning and create a responsive environment for maximizing the potentials of children. A case study in Hong Kong special school setting was presented to illustrate the possible instructional strategies involved: including individual educational plan, behavioral modification, social acceptance, and structured learning environment.
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This article first describes some of the ways in which teachers might (in theory) differentiate their approach to teaching and learning in inclusive mixed-ability classrooms. The writer then questions whether teachers faced with a heavy workload, large classes and subject specialization can really be expected to adopt and sustain the use of such differentiation strategies. How much classroom differentiation is beneficial and achievable? What problems are associated with differentiation and what are the alternatives? These issues are addressed with particular reference to the Hong Kong context. Given the current enthusiasm for 'curriculum tailoring' and 'adapting instruction' it may appear to be heresy to suggest that this heavy emphasis on individual differences among students could make teaching just too difficult for the average practitioner — and may not necessarily be the best way of meeting students' educational needs and raising achievement standards.
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The author, drawing upon evidence from researches carried out in Hong Kong, discusses the progress Hong Kong is making towards including children with difficulties and disabilities within the mainstream. He argues that top-down reforms have failed in Hong Kong and that it is time for the profession to actively engage in school development and school reform. The author argues that teachers need to engage in action research to improve both professional practice and the change process.
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The influx of new immigrant children accentuated the need of immediate attention to the immigrant education. It was necessary for educators to think about modifying our curriculum to make adaptation for newly arrived children and preparing our teachers to meet this challenge. This research was intended to find out about teachers' perception of new immigrant children and their perception of programs offered to these children. None of the teachers have any pre-service and in-service training in teaching newly arrived children. A total of 145 questionnaires from primary schools in five regions were sent and 99 questionnaires were returned. A quantitative approach was used in the data analysis. Most of the respondents agreed that newly arrived children had adaptation problems and tended to regard 'low English proficiency" as the greatest obstacle to newly arrived children. Consequently, about 99% of the respondents thought that newly arrived children needed the service of "English language course". The general impression was that the present adaptation services for newly arrived children were unsatisfactory.
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This article explores what is currently known about the most effective teaching methods or approaches to be used with students who have special educational needs. Drawing first on the recent meta-analyses of Swanson, Kavale and Forness, the writer highlights methods producing the most impressive improvements. In general, the evidence shows that carefully structured approaches in which students are taught how to learn,combined with high quality direct teaching of curriculum content, have the greatest impact. The article then describes in detail the key characteristics of such approaches, as used in intervention programs and in mainstream teaching.
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The first institution ever set up in Hong Kong to look after children with special needs was a home for the blind in 1863. It was not until 1935 when the first school for deaf children was formally opened. Both establishments were initiated by the missionary organisations operating in Hong Kong. The Key milestone to earmark the beginning of special education services in Hong Kong was the start up of a Special Schools Section within the Government in 1960. The Section was later responsible for the rapid development of special education services in special and mainstream schools. The speedy growth of special education services was a result of other major changes taking place within the local education system. One of these changes was the enactment of 9 years of compulsory education in 1978. This pattern of development of special education services in Hong Kong beginning with services for the sensory impaired children through to other services in mainstream schools after compulsory education is introduced matches well with the framework suggested by Putnam(1979). One can witness these developments by looking further at the categorical changes in classifying children with learning difficulties and the increasing number of students identified to be with special educational needs in Hong Kong over the years since 1960. While the idealism for integrating students with special needs into mainstream schools has been stressed by various policy documents in Hong Kong, yet more categories of schools are created to cater for the specific needs of these students. Amongst these creations is the establishment of Practical Schools with strong practically oriented curriculum to support ummotivated students. This was a recommendation made by the Education commission in their Report No.4 (Education Commission, 1990) to deal with curriculum and behaviour problems in Hong Kong. In 1960, the same year when the Special Schools Section was established, a new type of school called 'Practical

What will go to teachers? Cheers or blame? Glory or Shame? Besides the availability of hardware, the crucial factor that might contribute to the success (or disaster!) of implementing information Technology (IT) policy in Hong Kong's schools rests on frontline workers — teachers. It is supposed that the Government will have plans to train enough competent teachers for the mission. This paper tries to point out that training from external parties is not an ultimate solution to the problem. What keeps the IT training in momentum is from within, that is, from schools' own continuous staff development program. From this perspective, an agenda for staff development program is proposed. A conscious reader may find that there is a hidden agenda in this paper, an agenda to foster partnership, collaborative effort and ambitiously, a learning culture in the school. IT learning is just like any other kind of learning which could be much easier when a learning culture is developed.
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Integrating students with disabilities in ordinary schools has been a topic of debate in the Iast two decades. Inclusive education, in its broader sense, is still in its infancy in Hong Kong. Educational reforms, such as inclusive schooling, depends on teachers' support in implementing the change. Teachers' attitude towards integration and the changes required in schools and classrooms are crucial to the accomplishment of educational reforms. The purpose of this study was to survey classroom teachers' views toward integrating students with disabilities in Hong Kong. Results indicated that the availability of necessary resources, training of teachers, and the suitability of instruction and services were prime concerns for classroom teachers in providing education for students with disabilities. Recommendations for Hong Kong are proposed on considerations given to the above concerns and on legal mandates in providing education for students with disabilities.
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