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Evaluation and Research |
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Associate Investigator, OUHK
Lifelong Learning in Hong Kong (PACRD Funded)
This project aims to investigate the concept of lifelong learning in the context of Hong Kong and, in particular, within the Open University of Hong Kong. Lifelong learning is currently enjoying particular attention, both in Hong Kong and elsewhere, and it is thus important to ascertain whether its meaning is commonly shared by members of the OUHK learning community, both staff and students.
The research thus includes both what lifelong learning has come to mean with respect to the academic literature and government policy, as well as how it is understood within the OUHK. As such it can be seen as exploratory research, which can lead to further appropriate action by the OUHK should it be discovered, for example, that the students' view of lifelong learning differs from that of the institution. Overall, the project provides objective data that can assist the OUHK in its future promotion of the key concept of lifelong learning.
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Research Associate, OUHK
The Development, Validation and Use of a Distance and Open Virtual Learning Environment Scale (RGC Funded)
This two-year project aims to develop a web-based protocol for measuring the distance and open virtual learning environment. The future of distance and open learning points to an increasing dependence on the creative use and development of new technologies. As learners are becoming more aware of distance and open learning and the potential to continue accessing knowledge and skills more easily through the Internet, the need for World Wide Web-based instruction (WBI) will continue to increase. Furthermore, the type, variety and quality of Web-based learning environment will become a serious issue needing critical examination. With over 45 000 courses and 1000 programmes already indexed on the WWW, and over 350 companies and 70 organisations producing courseware and authorware respectively, the indications are that the main focus in the next few years will certainly be Web-Based Teaching and Learning (WBTL). As the technologies of multimedia, distributed or network computing, artificial intelligence, and WWW continue to mature over the years, valuable tools for the delivery of instruction are emerging. Even though the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is changing rapidly due to the fast pace of development , the indications are that the Web will become the primary learning environment for many courses, or as a supplement to instruction delivered using other means and media. It therefore becomes critical that the learning environment provided through web-based courses be measured for a variety of purposes including evaluation, instructional design, assessment, learners' determination of adequacy of resources, etc. To date, no such instrument is available for measuring the web-based instructional environment in distance and open learning. Building on DOLES, this project, will develop such an instrument to be called the Distance and Open Virtual Learning Environment Scale (DOVILES). Using students and a variety of selected web-based courses, a web-based instrument will be developed and trialed for use in measuring the learning environment provided for any resources on the Web. It is hoped that the results of this novel study in the area of WBI will contribute significantly to the literature on web-based instruction and learning environment research, inform the quality of open and distance learning environments on the internet, and provide an indirect indications of the quality of course materials provided for students through WBTL. The product of the study will be of great relevance to Hong Kong in at least two ways. First, it will provide information regarding the influence of culture on students' approaches to learning as well as the differential effects of learning environments on learning by students from different cultural backgrounds. Second, the Hong Kong government has recently embarked on a massive review of its education system, given lifelong learning a great push and set the scene to encourage technological literacy in school and in the society at large. This project should make significant contributions to Hong Kong enabling and providing the public and learners with the use of a valid and reliable instrument to measure virtual learning within a Web-based environment.
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12/2003--12/2004 |
Research Associate, OUHK
Evaluation of OUHK programmes in Mainland China (COE Funded)
The purpose of this evaluation is to investigate the perceptions and experiences of various groups who are or have been enrolled in OUHK programmes in the Mainland. This will also include employers who have OUHK graduates as employees. Four surveys will be conducted to collect this data. The first will profile the 22 OUHK teaching centres in Mainland China . Topics will include administration, students, tutors and faculty, teaching methods, student service support, and method of assessment. The purpose of the second survey will be to collect student and graduate data on their perceptions and experiences in OUHK programmes. Similar topics mentioned above will be explored as well as the quality of preparation for employment. The third stage will survey tutors on their perceptions and experiences in OUHK courses. The final survey will invite employers of graduates to rate the quality of these graduate employees and compare them to graduates from other universities.
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Associate Investigator, OUHK
Learning Science at a Distance: Students' Perspectives of Practical Work (PACRD Funded)
This research project focused on students' perspectives on various aspects such as ‘expectations,' ‘learning outcomes,' and ‘satisfaction' in two foundation science courses offered by the School of Science and Technology at the OUHK. These courses are: A Foundation Course in Physics and Chemistry (S121) and A Foundation Course in Biology and Earth Science (S122). A series of in-depth interviews was carried out with students enrolled in these courses, followed by questionnaire surveys and field observation as methods of validating and triangulating the interview data. The findings reveal that students place a high value on practical work in science courses. The research also tells us two significant direct relationships, according to a 2-tailed correlation test. The first one is between the measured perceptions of the practical work and satisfaction , while the second is between the attendance rate and the perception of the practical work with distance learning at OUH K. This research does strengthen the knowledge of discipline-based distance education research by adding empirical data, in both qualitative and quantitative forms.
Publications:
Chan, J. K. Y., & Shin, N. (2004). Learning science via distance education: Voices from students, presented in the 18th AAOU Annual Conference on Quality Education for All: New Missions and Challenges Facing Open Universities , Shanghai, China, November 28-30, 2004.
Shin, N., & Chan, J. K. Y. (2004). How does it work?: Instructional, Motivational, and Social Dimensions of Practical Work in Learning Science at a Distance. Third Pan-commonwealth Forum , organized by the Commonwealth of Learning , in Dunedin , New Zealand , 4-8 July 2004.
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Associate Investigator, OUHK
Direct and Indirect Effect of Online Learning at OUHK (PACRD Funded)
This project presents an exploratory study that investigates the effect of online learning environment (OLE) on distance student learning in an open university context. Two hypotheses are posited in doing so: 1) a direct relationship exists between students' involvement in OLE and distance learning outcomes, and 2) an indirect relationship exists between these two domains via the mediating variable of an institutional Transactional Presence (TP), that is, a student's sense of the availability of and connectedness with educational institution. Student learning achievement, satisfaction, and intent-to-persist are used as indicators of distance learning. The analysis of data garnered from 285 distance students reveals multi-faceted relationships between students' engagement in OLE, their perceptions of institutional TP and the three learning outcome variables. Besides the findings, the paper will discuss factors affecting students' engagement in OLE in relation to the different mode of OLE—optional or compulsory in demanding students' access to the OLE, as well as the level of the course—undergraduate or post-graduate.
Publications:
Shin, N., & Chan, J. K. Y. (2004). Direct and indirect effect of students in online learning Environment. British Journal of Educational Technology . 35(3), 275-288.
Shin, N., Jegede, O., Yau, J., Chung, L., & Chan, J. K. Y. (2002). The effect of online learning environment on distance learning, presented in the 16th Asian Association of Open University (AAOU) Conference , November 4-7, 2002.
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09/2001--02/2003 |
Research Assistant I , OUHK
The perception of distance educators and learners about web-based instruction (WBI) in selected Asian Open Universities (PACRD Funded)
In recent years Asian government leaders and education scholars have attempted to integrate online technologies into various facets of distance education. One of the most prominent areas of integration has been with the network of Asian open universities. These institutions have invested heavily in Web-based instruction (WBI) with hundreds of WBI courses having been introduced and many others in the pipeline. Despite the popularity of Web-based courses, little research has been done on evaluating perceptions of on-line educators and learners from a comparative perspective. The purpose of this project was to conduct a comparative study of WBI in selected Asian open universities from the angle of WBI educators and learners. The method of questionnaire survey was employed. A two-stage procedure was followed in the collection of data. The first stage was a survey of institutional profiles on WBI. All open universities in Asia having more than one year experience in administering web-based courses formed the population of the sample. One representative from each of these open universities was selected to assist with data collection in this survey. The questionnaire items covered various components in WBI, the features of on-line programmes and the corresponding learning environments. The learning environments included pedagogy (teaching and learning), technology (hardware and software, bandwidth issues, speed of communication lines, software applications and cost considerations), organization (such as course planning and preparation), institutional policy (e.g. course credit, course evaluation and instruction support), ethics (programme and course administration, learner/facilitator interaction) and so on. The results will formed the basis for the research in the second stage. Two questionnaires were designed to investigate the perceptions of distance educators and learners about WBI in selected open universities in Asia. This research has provided a better understanding of the current state and the problems of WBI in Asia . The results will be valuable for the OUHK and other open universities in the Asian region to develop more effective, efficient and user-friendly Web-based courses through experience sharing and lesson drawing.
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Research Assistant I, HKIEd
Supporting Teachers in Using I.T. in Special Education (QEF Funded)
The project aims to meet the current needs of IT development in special schools. It attempts to address the contextual problems and difficulties by helping teachers acquire the necessary knowledge and skills on the topic.
Publications:
Chan, J. K. Y., & Yim, E. P. Y. (2004). A study of expectation of quality of I.C.T. facilitating inclusive education, presented in the conference of the 21st ICDE World Conference on Open Learning and Distance Education , the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, February 18-22, 2004.
冼權鋒、陳洪基、陳繼宇 (合編) (2003) 特殊教育資訊科技：從認識到實踐 ，香港：優質教育基金。
Sin, K. F. K., Chan, H. K., & Chan, J. K. Y. (Eds.). (2003). Information Technology in Special Education: From Understanding to Practice, Hong Kong: Quality Education Fund.
陳繼宇 (2003) 特殊教育中心資源網站，於 冼權鋒、陳洪基、陳繼宇 (合編) 特殊教育資訊科技：從認識到實踐 ，香港：優質教育基金，90-91。
Chan, J. K. Y. (2003). Web resources for special education. In K. F. Sin, H. K. Chan. & J. K. Y. Chan. (Eds.), Information Technology in Special Education: From Understanding to Practice. HK: Quality Education Fund. 90-91.
陳繼宇 (2003) 優質教育基金特殊教育資訊科技項目示例，於 冼權鋒、陳洪基、陳繼宇 (合編) 特殊教育資訊科技：從認識到實踐 ，香港：優質教育基金，138-141。
Chan, J. K. Y. (2003). The information technology projects of special education in quality education fund. In K. F. Sin, H. K. Chan. & J. K. Y. Chan. (Eds.), Information Technology in Special Education: From Understanding to Practice. HK: Quality Education Fund. 138-141.
嚴沛瑜、陳繼宇 (2003) 論特殊教育線上學習，於 冼權鋒、何褔全、許令嫻 (合編) 特殊教育資訊科技：行動研究 ，香港：優質教育基金，260-264。
Yim, E. P. Y., & Chan, J. K. Y. (2003). Online learning for special education. In K. F. Sin, F.C. Ho. & M. Hui, (Eds.), Information Technology in Special Education: Action Research. HK: Quality Education Fund. 260-264.
Chan, J. K. Y., & Yim, E. Y. P. (2002). Applicability of online distance learning for SEN students: Experience of special education teachers in Hong Kong, presented in the Conference on Research in Distance and Adult Learning in Asia CRIDALA 2002 , the Open University of Hong Kong, June 5-7, 2002.
Chan, J. K. Y., & Yim, E. P. Y. (2002). Applicability of online learning for special education students in Hong Kong. In D. Murphy, N. Shin, & W. Y. Zhang (Eds.), Advancing Online Teaching and Learning in Asia . HK: OUHK Press. 166-180.
Chan, J. K. Y. (2001) Online resources, Supporting Teacher in Using Information Technology in Special Education: Experience Sharing Seminar , The Hong Kong Institute of Education, July 7, 2001.
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Research Assistant I, HKIEd
Consultancy Study on the Multiplicity of Handicaps (EMB Funded)
Consultancy Study on the Multiplicity of Handicaps among Students of Aided Special Schools, Practical Schools and Skills Opportunity Schools
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Research Assistant I, HKIEd
Equity, Excellence and Efficiency of HK Special Education (UGC Funded)
Publications:
Chan, J. K. Y., Sin K. F. & Yim, E. P. Y. (2003). A Study of I.C.T. in Facilitating Inclusive Education. In M. Hui, C. Dowson, & M. Gonzales (Eds.), Inclusive Education in the New Millennium . HK: The HK Teachers' Centre. 160-172.
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Research Student, CityU
Housing Policy: Homeownership and Young People
Publications:
Chan, J. K. Y., & Yim, E. Y. P. (2002). The determinants of homeownership of young adults in Hong Kong, presented in the European Network of Housing Research Conference: Housing Cultures: Convergence and Diversity , the University of Vienna, Austria, July 1-5, 2002.
Chan, J. K. Y. (2000). Housing gap? Housing strategies of young people in Hong Kong, presented in the conference of Housing in the 21st Century: Fragmentation and Reorientation , organized by European Network of Housing Research, Uppsala University, Sweden, June 26-30, 2000.
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Undergraduate Student, CityU
A Study of the Service Quality Management of Hospital Authority
This project aims at studying the service quality management of Hospital Authority (HA). Despite many improvements in public hospital services under the HA’s leadership, a number of medical blunders have happened in recent years. The HA are facing challenges today due to increasing patient quality expectations and increased governmental pressure to contain the costs of service delivery. In face of the challenges, issues of quality in the health care setting are becoming increasingly important.
The project concludes that the gap between quality specifications and customer expectation, and the gap between customer expectation and the HA interpretation are most critical in explaining service-quality variation and should be closed first. Finally, some practical recommendations are made to close all gaps.
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E-learning Design and Development |
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Technical Officer, PolyU
e-Learning Development and Support, e-Portfolio, and WIE (UGC Funded)
Providing team leadership and performing the role of coordinator and integrator for the deployment and offer of developing e-learning deliverables and projects
Workshop:
Going online to learn: Contingency planning
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Associate Investigator, OUHK
Web-based Interactive Tutoring System (Webits) (PACRD Funded)
The aim of this project is to build and test a prototype Web-based Interactive Tutoring System. The system will provide real-time synchronous communication between tutors and students that includes audio, visual, text and graphic elements. The Open University of Hong Kong is currently investigating the use and efficacy of such interactive systems through trial use of a software package, InterWise, which, although it provides similar functionality, has a number of deficiencies and is expensive. The system being proposed will, it anticipated, provide a better alternative, as it will be custom built, be adaptable to the evolving demands of OUHK students and staff, provide a more cost-effective platform and be integrated with existing online environments.
Publications:
Chan, J. K. Y., Murphy, D., Tsang, P., Tung, S., & Poon, A. (2005). Planning and managing learning technologies in distance education: A case study in OUHK, presented in IACIS Pacific 2005 Conference: Technology and Information Security Issues in Knowledge-Based Organizations , Taiwan, May 19-21, 2005. (Nominated for the Best Paper Award in Pedagogy Category)
Chan, J. K. Y. (2005) Experience in developing interactive conferencing tool (voice chat), Communications Technology Forum , Island Learning Centre, OUHK, January 15, 2005.
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06/2003--12/2003 |
MSc Student, CityU
Master Thesis: Web-based Learning and Interactive Tutoring System with Learning Cycle
With the increasing use of web-based learning in distance education, a well-rounded web-based learning system that can support rich interactivity and equip with adequate instructional tools for different pedagogical approaches in a learning cycle is required.
Currently, however, a learning gap exists in many web-based learning systems. Such a gap is resulted when miscommunication exists between teacher and students, inefficient knowledge delivery and technological constraints.
This project aimed to analyze, design and develop a web-based learning and interactive tutoring system to remove the learning gap. Specific objectives include evaluating the existing web-based learning platforms; reviewing literatures and studies related to teachers and students' experiences in using online learning platform; investigating issues on distancing learning in virtual face-to-face environment; developing a new web-based interactive tutoring system with a learning cycle based on the reviewed results; and processing the learning cycle by using several instructional designs integrated into the four learning stages: Pre-learning, Lecturing, Tutoring, and Assessment.
Publications:
陳繼宇、嚴沛瑜 (2005) 基於學習循環的網上交互輔導與學習系統， 中國電化教育 ，2005年8期，41-44。
Chan, J. K. Y., & Yim, E. P. Y. (2005). Integration of learning cycle in a web-based interactive tutoring system. China Educational Technology. 2005(8), 41-44.
陳繼宇、嚴沛瑜、陳麗 (2005) 網上交互輔導系統與學習循環， 中國電化教育 ，2005年3期，33-36。
Chan, J. K. Y., Yim, E. P. Y., & Chen, L. (2005). A gap in web-based learning environment and learning cycle. China Educational Technology. 2005(3), 33-36.
Chan, J. K. Y. (2005). Managing technological transformation in distance education: OUHK experience in e-learning course development, CRIDALA/DEC 2005: the 3rd Conference on Research in Distance and Adult Learning in Asia and the 4th Conference on Distance Education in China , Hong Kong, June 20-22, 2005.
Chan, J. K. Y., & Law, K. (2004). A need for a fine tuned interactive online learning system with learning cycle, presented in the conference of the 21st ICDE World Conference on Open Learning and Distance Education , the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, February 18-22, 2004.
Chan, J. K. Y. (2003). Web-based Learning and Interactive Tutoring System with Learning Cycle , Thesis of Master of Science in Computing, City University of Hong Kong.
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09/1999--12/2001 |
Web Coordinator, Desiter
Hong Kong Association for Parents of Gifted Children (QEF Funded)
Hong Kong Association for Parents of Gifted Children Webpage http://www.gifted.org.hk/
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Learning and Teaching |
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Management Team Member, OUHK
Global Distance Education Network (GDENet) (World Bank Funded)
The Global Distance EducationNet (DistEdNet) is a knowledge guide to distance education designed to help clients of the World Bank and others interested in using distance education for human development. This project initially funded by World Bank and currently administered by The Commonwealth of Learning. The Network consists of a core site located at the World Bank and regional sites in all parts of the world.
This East Asia Global Distance Education Site is one of the regional sites of the DistEdNet hosted and managed by the Centre for Research in Distance & Adult Learning at The Open University of Hong Kong. It aims to provide educators and policy-makers with comprehensive guidance concerning distance education. High quality, multi-lingual materials from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan are drawn from published, unpublished, or electronic sources.
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Research Assistant I, HKIEd
Supporting Teachers in Using I.T. in Special Education (QEF Funded)
Described above
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Research Assistant I, HKIEd
Making Integration Successful (QEF Funded)
1977 年，香港政府落實發展融合教育，讓弱能學生在主流學校裏接受教育。在推行這個政策的過程中，需要克服多方面的困難，其中包括政策推行、學校組織的配合、師資培訓、資源分配、課程及教學的調整等。香港教育學院前特殊教育系的同工獲得優質教育基金資助，進行了「邁向成功之融合教育」專題計劃。是項計劃的目的是增進主流學校老師對融合教育的認識，並為他們提供一個專業發展的機會。這個計劃的工作小組致力發展有關融合教育的資源，並為有需要人士提供有關的服務。
Publication:
冼權鋒、陳繼宇 (合編) (2002) 邁向成功的融合教育 ，香港：優質教育基金。
Sin, K. F. K., & Chan, J. K. Y. (Eds.). (2002). Making Integration Successful , HK: Quality Education Fund.
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Research Assistant I, HKIEd
Learning to do Classroom Research (CERG Funded)
Traditional and positivistic research has largely failed to inform teacher practice. Using qualitative research methods, and action research, developing local theories (as opposed to grand laws) is seen to be more important for practitioners. These local theories must be grounded as closely as closely as possible in the contexts in which events under study are occurring, in this case, the classrooms. Qualitative research offers opportunities to make more use of a holistic analysis. This can generate new insights and yield meaningful answers to teachers' questions and enable them to consider recommendations for improvements. But more than this, qualitative methods allow for personal and subjective viewpoints which will help us to understand the human, and not laboratory, meanings attached to school practice. The material for this text was originally developed to support teachers studying a Research and Development module as part of a Special Educational Needs course. However, it is hoped that anyone attempting action research in their schools and classrooms will find it helpful. The text has been produced as a result of discussions with students about challenges which they have met in their work.
Publication:
Crawford, N., & Chan, J. K. Y. (Eds.) (2001). Learning to do Classroom Research. HK: HKIEd
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