New Senior Secondary Liberal Studies (LS)

1. New Senior SecondaryLiberal Studies(LS) James YIU Curriculum Development Institute EDB

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

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

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

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

6. Self and Personal Development

7. Hong Kong Today

8. Modern China

9. Globalization

10. Public Health

11. Energy Technology & the Environment

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

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)

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 NSSLiberal Studies (LS) at junior secondary (JS) level?

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

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 to prepare for NSS Liberal Studies (LS)?

34. LS helps students: A: deepen their awarenessof contemporary issues, and develop positive values B: broadentheir knowledge base and perspectives C: connectknowledge of different disciplines and strengthen their critical thinkingskills Chinese Language Elective 1 English Language Elective 2 Issues in LS Other Learning Experiences Elective 3 Mathematics Position of NSS LS

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 ls.edb.hkedcity.net

43. 家長園地

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 ls.edb.hkedcity.net

47. Thank you!