We hope that this newsletter finds you rested after the Christmas break and anticipating the Year of the Ox. The ox is characterized by determination, diligence and strength. Traits that we all need in this time of challenge.
As a way of support, this issue of The Networker highlights two initiatives that, we hope, will support your professional learning, teaching and leadership.
First, our Professional Partnership Network Resource Bank now provides research briefs that you can download and read in 10 minutes, and 3-minute-long videos that link our research to recommendations for school practice and policy. These can be used to spark discussion in subject panels and leadership teams, or for your own learning. Our first series focuses on "The whole system commitment to improving schools in Hong Kong".
Second, we are now accepting participants for two new Master of Arts degrees. Those who apply by 20 February 2021 can be considered for scholarships.
Master of Arts in Leading Innovative Learning Organizations
For team, middle, and aspiring leaders in schools and education organizations that value innovation.
Master of Arts in Leading Experiential Learning Activities
For leaders of educational programmes or courses that adopt Experiential Learning practices. Offered with the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.
Register for the Virtual Info Day which is held on 30 January 2021 (Saturday) for our programme details.
Master of Arts in Leading Innovative Learning Organizations (LILO): 11:30am
Master of Arts in Leading Experiential Learning Activities (LELA): 12:30pm
The remainder of this newsletter updates you on other professional learning opportunities through participation in programmes or research.
Please send us any feedback.
All the best for the remainder of the school year and the Year of the Ox.
Public Release of Early Childhood Education Research
Investigating Space in Kindergartens under the Free Quality Kindergarten Education Scheme (supported by the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme)
Project Investigator: Dr. Yuen Wai Kwan Gail
Kindergarten spaces are not meeting the education policy goal of promoting children's holistic wellbeing. These spaces are often limited in size, and characterised by spatial practices that privilege static desk-based tasks over active play, physical movement and multi-sensory experiences. Grounded in social theories of space, the study adopted a mixed-methods approach, using participant observation, child-led walking tours, walking interviews with teachers and principals and a large-scale questionnaire survey to investigate the above-mentioned problems. Being first-of-its-kind to examine a highly complex issue, this study has generated both interesting and revealing findings about the availability, use and significance of space that affect children’s wellbeing and learning in Hong Kong kindergartens.
Professional Learning Opportunties
Training Programme on School Administration and Management of the Education Bureau
EPL will run a series of similar 18-hour training programmes for potential deputy schools heads in primary and secondary schools. The programmes serve to fulfil the new training requirements for promotion in public funded schools. Tentative dates are January to June 2021. Please refer to the Training Calendar of the EDB for announcement of exact programme dates and enrolment.
keep an eye on the EDB Training Calendar for latest announcement.
New Collaboration With Cambridge Assessment International Education
EPL has reached an agreement with CAIE allowing participants who complete our EMA in International Educational Leadership and Change (IELC) to earn two professional development qualifications: Cambridge International Certificate in Educational Leadership and Cambridge International Diploma in Educational Leadership. The IELC is the first postgraduate programme worldwide to offer Cambridge leadership professional development qualifications. Please contact the IELC team for more information: ielc@eduhk.hk
New Research
Home-School Collaboration as Online Learning Support System: A Case Study of Primary Schools amid Class Suspension in Hong Kong
Project Investigator: Dr. Lee Tsz Lok Trevor
This project responds to the policy need for research on the challenges confronting schools and families to support the online learning of primary school students amid the class suspensions in Hong Kong. Eight schools of various characteristics will be selected for an in-depth case study. This project will contribute to a timely understanding of the challenges among schools and families to support students’ learning amid class suspensions, and how home–school collaboration plays a long-term role in online learning support.
Upcoming Conference
EPL is proud to co-sponsor the below conferences that you may find of interest.
Asia-Pacific International Schools Conference
Conference dates forthcoming
The Asia-Pacific International Schools Conference (AISC) is the annual event for international school leaders and educators in the Asia Pacific region.
AISC brings together the international schools community to explore topical education issues that educators within Asia Pacific international schools are keen to discuss and debate. At AISC international speakers provide expertise and delegates leave AISC with actionable strategies to implement in their classrooms and schools.
CESHK 2021 Spring Conference (Virtual)
Date: 12 & 13 March 2020
Theme: Geopolitics of Knowledge and Education Policy
The Comparative Education Society of Hong Kong (CESHK) Conference brings together education scholars and practitioners to critically review geopolitics of knowledge and education policy processes. Keynote speakers, Professor Meg Maguire and Dr. Emma Towers of King’s College London and Professor Keita Takayama of Kyoto University, will set the scene respectively by sharing a talk on knowledge production and use in education policymaking with the case of a curriculum reform in England, and a talk on conducting education research towards de-colonial, de-growth and de-coldwar worlds.
Affiliated Centers, Research and Teaching Groups
In addition to direct Department work, EPL colleagues contribute significantly to the leadership, research and development activities of several other units.
Asia Pacific Centre for Leadership and Change (APCLC)
Diversity, Equity and Social Inclusion Research Group (DESI)
The APCLC stresses the importance of leadership and leadership development for achieving sustainable change in school systems. It builds on a strong regional foundation of leadership development by contributing new research grounded in the region. It also creates and transforms knowledge gained from research into practical tools.
The DESI researches how diversity impacts on education, equity and inclusion through its interaction with social, political and economic conditions. The DESI aims to increase knowledge and understanding of diversity in Hong Kong and East Asia to improve education, policy and practice. The DESI has three research streams: Ethnic Minorities & Refugees, Inter/Multiculturalism, and Gender & Sexuality.
Education Policy Research Hub
Developing Teachers, Developing Futures
The Education Policy Research Hub conducts research on the design, implementation and evaluation of education policy. By building strong networks with policymakers, school stakeholders and the public, the hub aims to increase the impact of policy research and improve education locally and regionally. It aims to become a valued partner of education system stakeholders by building and sharing new knowledge in Hong Kong and beyond.
Teacher professionalism—the capacity to make informed educational judgements about what is in the best interests of students and their communities—is influenced by ever-evolving and interactive institutional, social and political contexts. Teachers are expected to meet diverse and sometimes competing local needs and must also be responsive to global developments and concerns. This project aims to enhance the impact of teaching and research on teacher education both locally and globally.
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