1 New Senior Secondary Liberal Studies (LS) James YIU Curriculum Development Institute EDB

2 A subject for everyone What makes LS essential to every senior secondary student? Issues in LS English Language Elective 2 Other Learning Experiences Elective 3 Chinese Language Mathematics Elective 1

3 LS helps students …  A: deepen their awareness of contemporary issues, and develop positive values  B: broaden their knowledge base and perspectives  C: connect knowledge of different disciplines and strengthen their critical thinking skills Issues in LS English Language Elective 2 Other Learning Experiences Elective 3 Chinese Language Mathematics Elective 1

4 Self & Personal Development Society & Culture Science, Technology & the Environment Curriculum Framework Module 1: Personal Development & interpersonal Relationship Module 2: Hong Kong Today Module 3: Modern China Module 4: Globalization Module 5: Public Health Module 6: Energy Technology & the Environment

5 Self & Personal Development Society & Culture Science, Technology & the Environment Curriculum Framework Independent Enquiry Study

6 Self and Personal Development ThemesKey Questions for Enquiry 1.Understanding oneself What challenges and opportunities does a person have during adolescence? 2.Interpersonal relationships What interpersonal factors facilitate adolescents to reflect upon and prepare for the transition to adulthood?

7 Hong Kong Today ThemesKey Questions for Enquiry 1.Quality of life Which directions might be chosen in maintaining and improving Hong Kong residents’ quality of life? 2.Rule of law and socio- political participation How do Hong Kong residents participate in political and social affairs and come to grips with rights and responsibilities with respect to the rule of law? 3. IdentityHow are the identities of Hong Kong residents developed?

8 Modern China ThemesKey Questions for Enquiry 1.China’s reform & opening-up What impact has reform and opening- up had on the overall development of the country and on people’s life? 2.Chinese culture & modern life With respect to the evolution of concepts of the family, what kind of relationship between traditional culture and modern life has been manifested? To what extent are traditional customs compatible with modern Chinese society?

9 Globalization ThemeKey Questions for Enquiry Impact of globalization and related responses Why do people from different parts of the world react differently to the opportunities and challenges brought by globalization?

10 Public Health ThemesKey Questions for Enquiry 1.Understandin g of public health How is people’s understanding of disease and public health affected by different factors? 2.Science, technology and public health To what extent does science and technology enhance the development of public health?

11 Energy Technology & the Environment ThemesKey Questions for Enquiry 1.The influences of energy technology How do energy technology and environmental problems relate to each other? 2.The environment and sustainable development Why has sustainable development become an important contemporary issue? What is the relationship between its occurrence and the development of science and technology?

12 An example

13 Independent Enquiry Study Each student conducts an IES making use of the knowledge and perspectives gained from one or more Areas of Study and extending them to new issues or contexts An integral part of the curriculum, with 90 hours of curriculum time To be conducted during S5 – S6 The School-based Assessment (SBA) component of public assessment

14 Three stages of the IES Stage 1: Project Proposal  Select a study area / theme  Collect background information  Formulate the question for enquiry  Design work plan and schedule Stage 2: Data Collection  Collect & organise data / information Stage 3: Product  Analyse data / information  Evaluate different points of view  Present IES results, amend according to feedback  Write report to show the results of the study in suitable ways

15 The Product of IES Written Form Project presentation of 1,500 to 4,000 words Non-written Form Computer presentation, webpage, movie, etc. The main body itself is self-explanatory The viewing time should be within 20 minutes Accompanied by a short text (300-1,000 words) explaining main ideas and showing personal reflections

16 An Examination Subject Why does Liberal Studies have to be an examination subject in the NSS curriculum? –Recognition by local universities –International recognition –Students’ achievements should be properly assessed, recognised and reported

17 Design of Public Assessment Paper 1: Data-response questions (50%) Paper 2: Extended-response questions (30%) School-based assessment: IES (20%)

18 Design of public assessment In accordance with the curriculum design: –Enquiry and issue-based –Cross-modular Candidates are required to apply relevant concepts and knowledge to analyse various issues using appropriate thinking skills

19 Marking of Examination Marking guidelines provided for each question, suggesting acceptable approaches with sample responses Descriptions of the basic requirements and expect performance of candidates for each level Marks to be awarded according to the level of criteria a candidate’s performance meets

20 A sample question “Referring to the above information, why did Premier Wen Jiabao propose ‘low-pollution, high safety’ as the way in which energy should be developed? Explain” (8 marks)

21 Suggested marking guidelinesMarks The candidate: …………6-8 …………3-5 …………1-2 …………0

22 Suggested marking guidelinesMarks The candidate: explains precisely the meaning of ‘low pollution’ (e.g. reduction of emission of pollutants) and ‘high safety’ (e.g. various aspects for promoting miners’ safety) Explains precisely the present situation of energy extraction and use on the Mainland, e.g. heavy reliance on coal burning; and on the other hand, a huge demand for energy as a result of rapid economic growth …… 6-8

23 Suggested marking guidelinesMarks The candidate: explains approximately either the meaing of ‘low pollution’ or ‘high safety’; or the explanation is not accurate enough explains approximately the present situation of energy extraction and use on the Mainland …… 1-2 fails to explain the reason why Premier We propose that ‘low-pollution, high safety should be the way in which energy supply should be developed provides an irrelevant answer 0

24 Ensuring reliability On-screen Marking System of HKEAA Markers meeting to arrive at professional consensus Markers go through training and a qualifying test before actually marking Systematic checkmarking by Chief Examiner or Assistant Examiner Double-marking

25 How can students prepare for NSS Liberal Studies (LS) at junior secondary (JS) level?

26 Foundation from Basic Education 8 KLAs in Basic Education as foundation knowledge ChineseEnglish Math PSHE ScienceTechnologyArts PE Self & Personal Development Society & Culture Science, Technology & the Environment

27 Strengthen Foundation Knowledge at JS level  When knowledge is forsaken, LS foundations are shaken  For example, NSS LS requires students to ask: “What is the relationship between the occurrence of sustainable development and the development of science of technology?”

28 Strengthen Foundation Knowledge at JS level This question of enquiry assumes students’ mastery of relevant knowledge:  Geography: oceans, rainforests, power resources, ‘rich and poor’  Science: energy sources, water pollution, biodiversity  Technology Education: technology and society, reuse and recycling of resources

29 Strengthen Foundation Knowledge at JS level The three KLAs most relevant to NSS LS are:  Personal, Social & Humanities Education  Science Education  Technology Education

30 Broaden Knowledge Base & Horizons  Reading allows students to savour life experiences of others, broadening their horizons  Develop habits of reading materials across various disciplines  Read materials of different formats, not limiting oneself to comics, romance novels  Balanced participation in co-curricular / extra- curricular activities, giving priority to quality rather than quantity: sports, arts, service, academic …

31 Maintain Civic Awareness  Read newspapers & magazines frequently  News-reading is not limited to sports, entertainment, etc.; include local, national and global news  Be concerned about developments in the neighbourhood

32 Develop Skills Through Project Learning  Give priority not only to the product, but also the performance during the process  Don’t just ‘copy & paste’ online materials  Ask questions about the materials: their relation to the question for enquiry, their authenticity, assumptions and values behind them, etc.  Make a feasible work plan, manage time, effort and other resources to implement the plan  Do not rely on parents / adults

33 How can parents support students support students to prepare for NSS Liberal Studies (LS)?

34 Position of NSS LS LS helps students:  A: deepen their awareness of contemporary issues, and develop positive values  B: broaden their knowledge base and perspectives  C: connect knowledge of different disciplines and strengthen their critical thinking skills Issues in LS English Language Elective 2 Other Learning Experiences Elective 3 Chinese Language Mathematics Elective 1

35 Cultivate children’s concern for people & issues around them  Discuss life experiences with children (A)  Discuss current affairs from more than one angle (A,B,C)  Become models for children by caring for the neighbourhood (A)

36 Broaden children’s horizons(B)  Encourage children to take part in more than one type of extra-curricular activities(B)  Accompany them to visit museums (B)  LS does not demand them to “know everything”, but instead helps them to connect knowledge of different domains  Broadening horizons does not require extensive travelling…

37 Support reading to learn Since reading can broaden one’s horizons and allow one to savour life experiences of others, parents need to  subscribe newspapers, esp. student editions (A,B)  encourage children to read materials of different formats, not limiting oneself to comics, romance novels (B)  accompany children to libraries to borrow/read books related to different disciplines (B,C)

38 Develop critical thinking(C)  encourage children to express views and question, give ample time and praise (C)  listen to children’s views, do not give premature negative judgements  cultivate confidence in critical thinking(C)  let them know when their views change our thinking (C)  let them know that critical thinking does not mean criticising everything

39 Some forms of support are unnecessary Project learning:  Are the children really incapable in searching for information/designing the cover? Or is there a habitual dependence?  Poor work planning  seeking help from parents in the last minute  Junior secondary students need to develop skills of self-directed learning required in NSS LS

40 Do we use “textbooks” in LS? Issues are evolving and ever changing in nature --- using “textbooks” as the main, if not only, learning materials will not achieve desirable results of learning. Teachers will exercise professionalism by selecting and adapting materials from the market to fit pedagogical need. They will employ a variety of updated materials from diverse sources to provide a wide range of perspectives on issues to be studied. Don’t expect teachers to “cover” everything.

41 EDB Support measures Teacher Training Programmes LS School Network Scheme Parent Handbook Web-based Resource Platform for LS

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43 家長園地

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45 通識教師專區  下載學習教材

46 EDB Support measures Teacher Training Programmes LS School Network Scheme Parent Handbook Web-based Resource Platform for LS

47 Thank you!