1. TWGSS NSS curriculum Sharing session on Student Subject Choices 18 th March 2008

2. The more choices the better? Students diversified interests and strengths Staff specialties University entrance requirements and 4-year curriculum Societal needs and career development Existing strengths Resource limitations

3. How to increase subject choices for students? Use of school facilities Curriculum design Staff development and deployment Time-tabling

4. 2009/12 NSS curriculum planning process – Stage 1 Special features: Sustaining existing strengths Small-class teaching (10 to 30 for LS and electives) Provide more subject choices Diversification of subject combinations - eradicating the boundary between arts and science subjects 3 3X and 2 2X classes 14 subjects / 48 combinations Curriculum framework version 1 (SS1-SS3) Curriculum framework version 1

5. TWGSS NSS curriculum 2009/12 NSS curriculum planning process – Stage 2 Consultation of stakeholders – survey of students and parents views Consultation of stakeholders – survey of students and parents views phase 1:S1 parents & students & S3 students (06/07) phase 2:S2 parents & students (07/08) phase 3:S3 parents & students (08/09) Considering students options in designing subject-groups Considering students options in designing subject-groups Sharing the experience of schools with similar background Sharing the experience of schools with similar background Maximizing subject choice for students 3 x 7-8 groups Maximizing subject choice for students 3 x 7-8 groups More dynamic arrangement of teaching time (e.g. 10-day cycle = bi-weekly) More dynamic arrangement of teaching time (e.g. 10-day cycle = bi-weekly) Meeting learning time requirements for all subjects Meeting learning time requirements for all subjects Simulation exercise of time-tabling Simulation exercise of time-tabling SMC endorsement SMC endorsement

6. 2009/12 NSS Curriculum (version 2) Curriculum structure (SS1-SS3) School time-table Re-allocating subject-periods for JS1-JS3, S7 Subject & staff load changes Subjectstaff load changes

7. Summary of version 2 framework: 7 subject groups for Liberal Studies Electives- 5 classes 3x in 7 to 8 groups Other core subjects and OLE taught in 5 classes 14 subjects in 284 combinations

8. 2007/08 situation and resources 31 classes 28 + 3 classrooms 14 subjects - 9 electives for S4 & S5 students – 5+5 classes (8 split classes) 13 subjects - 8 elective for S6 & S7 students – 3+3 classes (6 split classes) 62 teaching staff

9. Our challenges in 2011/12 33 classes 30 + 3 classrooms 14 subjects – 284 combinations for each SS1-SS3 levels 67 teaching staff

10. Use of school facilities Conversion works to provide more classrooms (e.g. AV Room, quarters for minor staff) Flexible use of existing learning areas School hall Student Activity Centre Special Rooms Open areas Outdoor learning

11. Curriculum design Electives: 3X vs 2X Fully blocked subject groups (7 groups for 5 classes) Combined Science vs Biology, Chemistry & Physics Spreading options to different KLAs Offering Applied Learning modules

12. Staff Development & Deployment Staff participation in planning Staff professional development plans Inter-school collaboration Posting and flexible deployment

13. Time-tabling Week-based time-table Double periods between breaks Time-tabling simulation exercises for NSS years Websams Australian software Student options software

14. TWGSS NSS curriculum Time-tabling simulation exercises Aims and methodology: Examine feasibility of proposed subject groups / grid lines Examine manpower and classroom resources Make adjustments for lesson constraints and subject combinations investigate in the possible deadlocks (rooms, staff, subject-combinations etc.) Based on projected 2011/12 (double-cohort year) teacher-class information

15. TWGSS NSS curriculum Time-tabling simulation exercises Tools: 1. WEBSAMS (EBD) 2. Time-tabling Solutions (Australian software) 3. Student options programme (EDB)

16. NSS Curriculum – Student Survey 1 1 2 3 4 5 6

17. Australian Timetabling Software Student Options module

18. Grid Lines

20. Core Subjects Half blocking

21. Elective Subjects Full blocking

22. Australian Timetabling Software – sample display 1

23. Australian Timetabling Software – sample display 2

24. Time-tabling simulation exercises Sample reports Master Class timetable Master Teacher timetable Individual timetable for a student TWGSS NSS curriculum

25. NSS Curriculum – Student Survey 2 Letter to parents and students options form Result of student options (according to student preferences and positions in form) Result of student options (according to student preferences and positions in form)

26. Helping students to choose their subjects Setting the curriculum framework and electives to be offered Talk to students and parents Opinion surveys Fixing the elective lines / subject groups Placing students in subject groups (according to their choices and abilities) Counselling of selected students

27. TWGSS NSS curriculum 2009/12 NSS curriculum planning – Stage 3 Our Road Ahead Seminar on planned NSS curriculum for JS2 parents and students (09/10 SS1 class) Seminar on planned NSS curriculum for JS2 parents and students (09/10 SS1 class) Third survey on subject options of JS2 students Third survey on subject options of JS2 students Second trial run to generate NSS subject combinations based on students options (using students options software Second trial run to generate NSS subject combinations based on students options (using students options software

28. TWGSS NSS curriculum 2009/12 NSS curriculum planning – Stage 3 Our Road Ahead Time-tabling exercise to confirm the feasibility of revised curriculum plan Time-tabling exercise to confirm the feasibility of revised curriculum plan Investigate the possibility to include Applied Learning modules as electives Investigate the possibility to include Applied Learning modules as electives Adjusting planning for staff posting and training in line with NSS subject combinations & school resources Adjusting planning for staff posting and training in line with NSS subject combinations & school resources

29. TWGSS NSS curriculum Your comments and suggestions are most welcome kawaichan@edb.gov.hk