For enabling the teachers to achieve the IT competence as required by the Hong Kong government for implementing the recent IT in education policy, we find that when it comes to the competent (or upper intermediate) level, a subject-based training approach is definitely more ideal in catering for the special needs of Science teachers whose subject disciplines are highly specialized in terms of content and pedagogy. The advocacy for a subject-based (or subject-specific) IT training course for Physics teachers is supported by some recent needs analysis. Based on those research findings and the content analysis on features peculiar to the Physics teaching and learning, we shall present an initial sketch on the scope of IT applications for Physics through a subject-based approach. Results from the questionnaire survey on the Physics teachers' perception of the training needs in various kinds of IT skills will also be given in this paper.

Biotechnology has tremendous applications in the areas of agriculture, environment, fuels and chemicals, food and drink, gene cloning, and medicine. Also, when biotechnology applies to humans especially in genetic engineering, it stimulates controversial debates on bioethical issues. While biotechnology is increasing in the news, awareness of its overall significance remains limited. This is especially true for high school students. Many western governments have been planning to bridge the gap. In Hong Kong however, the pace is comparatively slow. This study is unique in being the first in Hong Kong to inquire into the student perception (knowledge and attitudes) of biotechnology. Based on the findings, this study is to make recommendations for integrating biotechnology in the science classes.
[Copyright © 1999 Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE).]

This paper describes the outcome of a science school-based curriculum development project, a collaboration between the Hong Kong Institute of Education and four secondary schools. The project was an attempt to promote the development of science investigation skills among secondary students. The aim of the project was (i) to try out the strategies proposed, and (ii) to find out from the students after their participation their interest, their perceived difficulty and ways to solve problems encountered in conducting science investigations. This paper describes the various phases of the school-based curriculum development project including the planning, implementation and evaluation of the project. To formulate effective strategies to develop science investigation tasks, a questionnaire was administered to collect feedback from the students. The findings of the project provide evidence that there were positive influences on students' interest in learning science. The responses from the students suggested that they have a higher level of interest in learning science and in participating in measuring or observing results, and planning science investigations. They perceived themselves having more difficulties in the identification of a problem for investigation, writing hypothesis and designing an investigation. More than half of the students also reported not having sufficient knowledge and time in completing the science investigation project. Finally, drawing on the findings, the paper introduces ways of improving the strategies to support science investigations and a two staged model for planning science investigation tasks.

The subject of Graphic Communications (and the more-focused subject of Technical Drawing currently taught in Hong Kong) is usually taught in schools as either a stand-alone subject or as part of other technology subjects such as Design & Technology. Traditionally, textbooks and their accompanying problems in workbooks contain set exercises that often lack relevance to each other and/or the students. One way to provide more meaning in the teaching/learning of the subject is to utilize a thematic approach. This paper will present a rationale for using a thematic approach for teaching Graphic Communications. Examples of student work and suggestions for introducing thematic topic will be give.

The recently implemented HKCEE Chemistry curriculum has adopted a STS approach which is relatively new to this subject in Hong Kong. It was thus considered appropriate to find out how the teachers adapt to this change in approach. Consequently, a survey in the form of questionnaire was conducted in April, 96 to seek the opinions of teachers on the change. The questionnaire was designed to survey the teachers' opinions on the change in content, the new activities, availability of suitable resources and the format of the examination. Questionnaires were sent to 300 schools, in which 164 schools responded, giving a response rate of 54.6%. 12 of the schools surveyed do not offer Chemistry at HKCEE level. The results revealed that 78% of the teachers claimed that they are aware of the rationale behind the change in the Chemistry curriculum. In addition, about 80% of the teachers agreed that the introduction of society related topics are useful to students intending to study Chemistry beyond HKCEE level. However, over 60% of the teachers surveyed claimed that the new curriculum do not provide enough chemical knowledge for students to pursue further studies in chemistry. In addition , about 60% of the teachers think that the omission of certain topics from the old curriculum is likely to lead to inadequate background knowledge in chemistry. As to the new teaching activities , 48% of the respondents admit that they have never carried out the debates while over 90% of the teachers claimed that they have carried out the decision-making exercises with the students. Furthermore, 54% of the teachers found that the students participate actively in the new activities. As to the non-inclusion of the new activities in the teaching process, 80% of the teachers claimed that they do not have enough time to do so. With regard to the format of the examination, 76% of the interviewees welcome the change in the format of the HKCEE examination. However, over 70% of the teachers found that

Due to the importance of biotechnology education, there is a worldwide trend of extending this from college to secondary school level. While many western governments have been planning to bridge the gap, the pace in Hong Kong is comparatively slow. As Hong Kong science educators, we are planning to introduce relevant and updated biotechnology elements into our secondary school biology curricula, in order to promote basic biotechnology knowledge as well as positive attitude towards advances in science and technology. Before we can modify the curriculum, it is important to understand the biology teachers' perception of biotechnology. For example: What are their attitudes towards the practice of Biotechnology? What is their average knowledge towards the subject? Do male and female teachers have significant difference in their attitudes towards Biotechnology? What are the implications on school science curricula? The search for these answers leads to this study.
[Copyright © 2000 The Hong Kong Institute of Education.]