Objectives Research has shown that having adequate quantity and quality of physical activity can contribute to the health and well-being of children. Nonetheless, existing tools to measure these constructs in children have limitations in terms of their objectivity and scalability. In this study, we provide criterion validity evidence of two systems built on commercially available sensors (ie, gyroscopes and infrared cameras), designed to measure children's moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and fundamental movement skill proficiencies. Design Cross-sectional. Setting Primary schools in Hong Kong. Participants Data from 30 (age=8.55±1.25 years) and 1174 (age=9.15±1.63 years) children were included for the validation of physical activity and fundamental movement skills measures, respectively. Children's outcomes were simultaneously measured using the developed systems and existing, well-established measures (accelerometers and expert ratings). Results We found a strong correlation between physical activity outcomes measured using our developed system and accelerometers (Pearson r=0.795). Motor skill proficiency scored using our real-time rating system had strong agreement with expert ratings (percentage agreement=84%-94%, kappa=0.661 to 0.859). Discussion Results of the current study supported the application of the respective systems in physical education and large-scale research studies. Collection of such data at mass levels could help researchers depict the complex relation between children's quantity and quality of physical activity. Copyright © 2022 Author(s) (or their employer(s)).

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between perceived and actual movement skill competence among primary school children in Hong Kong. Participants were 568 primary (P) school children (229 boys, 339 girls; Mage = 9.3 years, SD = 1.7). Children's perceived skill competence was assessed using an identical format to that of Harter's Self-Perception Profile for Children in the same 12 fundamental movement skills (FMS) objectively measured. The actual locomotor and object control skills were assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development (2nd edition). Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated to examine the association between children's perceived and actual movement skill competence separately for lower (P1-P3) and upper (P4-P6) grades. There was no association between students' perceptions and actual FMS scores. MANCOVA results indicated that children in upper grades had significantly lower skill perceptions than their younger counterparts. Overall, boys had higher perceptions of object control skill than girls did. The findings indicate that many primary school children have inaccurate perceptions of their FMS competence. These misperceptions may lead to low self-confidence and to gradually opting out of sport and physical activity. Copyright © 2018 Human Kinetics, Inc.

Objectives: The purpose of this research is to examine whether perceived fundamental movement skills (FMS) competence mediated the relationship between actual FMS and physical activity (PA) in Hong Kong preschool-aged children. Design: A cross−sectional study. Methods: 148 preschool-aged children (43% girls; mean age = 4.52 ± 0.67 years) from five preschools/childcare centres completed all assessments. Actual FMS was rated using the Test of Gross Motor Development−2, whilst perceived FMS was assessed via the Pictorial Scale for Perceived Movement Skill Competence. PA was measured through accelerometry. A bootstrap method was used to assess the potential mediating effect of perceived movement skill competence on the relationship between actual FMS and PA. All mediation models were adjusted for sex and age. Results: Mediation analyses showed that the direct path between actual FMS and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was significant (b = 0.228, p = 0.008), as was the path between MVPA and actual FMS (b = 0.214, p = 0.008). However, perceived FMS competence did not mediate the association between actual FMS and MVPA in the models. Conclusions: Our results showed evidence of reciprocal pathways between actual FMS and MVPA, reinforcing the need to simultaneously target both domains as part of broader developmental strategies, initiated in early childhood. Unlike emergent adolescence, perceptions of movement skill competence do not play a significant role in influencing the relationship between actual FMS proficiency and MVPA in this developmental period. Copyright © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

This study examines the adequacy of a general proficiency in music listening for describing how examinees responded to exam questions on various music genres based on an empirical investigation of a public music listening examination. In the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE), Music consists of three mandatory components: listening, performing, and creating. Notably, the listening component is evaluated through a written examination, allowing for objective scoring. A candidate's performance on this exam has been summarized as a single score, a method that is effective for evaluation purposes, while the underlying conceptualization may oversimplify the depth of knowledge required for assessment. Consequently, we conducted a reevaluation of the HKDSE Music listening test, employing the Rasch testlet model to explore potential multidimensional structures. Our findings highlighted distinctive attributes in questions related to Cantonese opera, setting them apart from others. We discuss the implications of these findings for music assessment. Copyright © 2024 SAGE Publications Ltd.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) has attracted criticism for its Eurocentricity and Western-centricity (Bunnell et al., 2017; Walker, 2010). This article explores international mindedness, questioning whether the IB perpetuates culturally hegemonic, colonial, and Westernised ideas. The paper draws on research data collected in two International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) international schools in the Hong Kong SAR. We observed IBDP lessons and interviewed teachers about their uses of local and global culture and content in their teaching, considering whether the adaptation of curriculum based on cultural significance and perspectives functions to shift the Western-centric discourses for which the IB is commonly criticised. Our analysis suggests that attempts to decentre the West in the curriculum are challenging, resulting from factors including a lack of critical understanding among teachers, demands and expectations regarding assessment, the aspirations of students and their parents, and a lack of time and space within the timetable and curriculum. Drawing on literature and teacher practices, we propose considerations to move beyond recognitive politics to a more critical set of practices unsettling hierarchies of knowledge and power. The task of de-centering the IBDP's Western epistemology requires further consideration and research. In this paper, we contribute to this ongoing inquiry through providing an analysis of a particular set of circumstances in Hong Kong and providing a framework to enable critical reflection of curriculum and teaching practices that could be considered across IB programmes. Copyright © 2025 Routledge.

Globally, countries or regions across from east to west like Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States have incorporated language item questions in their censuses. The assessment of such design advantages and disadvantages is crucial for academic investigation. Despite ongoing discussions, there is a noticeable lack of comprehensive references offering a full set of evaluation methods for assessing these question designs. Current literature often focuses on specific aspects, underscoring the need for a holistic evaluation. This research employs literature and induction methodologies to assess the design quality of language item questions in censuses. After reviewing past references and analysing 74 questionnaires collected from nine countries and regions over three centuries, we have identified 37 specific criteria. These criteria, categorised into economy, comprehensiveness, and rationality, form a comprehensive evaluation framework. This new framework offers a systematic approach for assessing census language question design, with significant implications for policy-making and academia. It provides a valuable tool for policymakers to make informed decisions about language question design, and serves as a guide for future academic research in this field. Copyright © 2024 Routledge.

Dyslexia and developmental language disorders are important learning difficulties. However, their genetic basis remains poorly understood, and most genetic studies were performed on Europeans. There is a lack of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on literacy phenotypes of Chinese as a native language and English as a second language (ESL) in a Chinese population. In this study, we conducted GWAS on 34 reading/language-related phenotypes in Hong Kong Chinese bilingual children (including both twins and singletons; total N = 1046). We performed association tests at the single-variant, gene, and pathway levels. In addition, we tested genetic overlap of these phenotypes with other neuropsychiatric disorders, as well as cognitive performance (CP) and educational attainment (EA) using polygenic risk score (PRS) analysis. Totally 5 independent loci (LD-clumped at r(2) = 0.01; MAF > 0.05) reached genome-wide significance (p < 5e-08; filtered by imputation quality metric Rsq>0.3 and having at least 2 correlated SNPs (r(2) > 0.5) with p < 1e-3). The loci were associated with a range of language/literacy traits such as Chinese vocabulary, character and word reading, and rapid digit naming, as well as English lexical decision. Several SNPs from these loci mapped to genes that were reported to be associated with EA and other neuropsychiatric phenotypes, such as MANEA and PLXNC1. In PRS analysis, EA and CP showed the most consistent and significant polygenic overlap with a variety of language traits, especially English literacy skills. To summarize, this study revealed the genetic basis of Chinese and English abilities in a group of Chinese bilingual children. Further studies are warranted to replicate the findings. Copyright © 2024 Springer.

This study investigates the differences in pragmatic competence between Hong Kong and Chinese mainland university students. Participants included 19 native speakers of English, 115 Chinese mainland students, divided into those who had spent time abroad in an English-speaking country (CM A) and those who had not (CM NA), and 97 Hong Kong students, divided into those from an English-medium secondary school (Hong Kong EMI) and those from a Chinese-medium school (Hong Kong CMI). Linguistic proficiency was measured by a C-test, and pragmatic competence by a Metapragmatic Knowledge Test, an Irony Test and a Monologic Role Play. Group scores were compared using ANCOVAs to control for differences in proficiency. The results point to a continuum of pragmatic competence-EMI > CMI > CM A > CM NA-reflecting the groups' access to English in real-life contexts. The differences between the Hong Kong groups and the Chinese mainland groups were clearest in those tests measuring processing capacity (i. e., Irony Response Time and the Monologic Role Play). CM A, but not CM NA, performed as well as the Hong Kong groups on measures of metapragmatic awareness. The results are discussed in terms of Bialystok's (1993) distinction between analyzed representation and control of processing. Copyright © 2024 Walter de Gruyter GmbH.

This research delves into the washback effects of the Hong Kong Diploma of Education Examination (HKDSE) on the learning strategies employed by secondary school students in Hong Kong. By surveying 50 students to assess their English learning strategy profiles, this study seeks to identify potential biases in strategy selection indicative of examination influence. A subset of participants was further interviewed, enabling a deeper exploration of the underlying reasons behind their strategy choices. Thematic analysis of these interviews revealed that while students recognize the intended washback of the examination on their learning strategies, its actual influence might be diminished by their reservations regarding high stakes testing's effect on authentic English learning. The overarching sentiment expressed frustrations and conflict between the study of English language, and exam-centric pressures. Copyright ©2024 King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi School of Liberal Arts.

The Caregiver Strain Questionnaire assesses the three dimensions of caregiver strain, namely the objective, subjective externalized and subjective internalized strain. It was validated among caregivers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the United States and Mainland China with promising psychometric properties. This study aimed to develop and validate the Chinese (traditional script) version of the Caregiver Strain Questionnaire (C-CGSQ) among 198 caregivers of children with ASD in Hong Kong. The C-CGSQ showed excellent internal consistency (α = 0.958) and test-retest reliability (Spearman’s r  = 0.966). Concurrent, convergent, divergent validity and a three-factor structure (consistent with previous studies) were established. The C-CGSQ demonstrated promising psychometric properties in measuring caregiver strain among caregivers of Chinese ASD children in Hong Kong. Copyright ©2024 Springer.