As an infused or a separated theme? Chinese science teacher educators' conceptions of incorporating Nature of Science instruction in the courses of training pre-service science teachers

ABSTRACT: Teaching nature of science (NOS) is beginning to find its place in science education in China. This exploratory study interviewed twenty-four Chinese science teacher educators about their conceptions of teaching NOS to preservice science teachers. Although five dimensions emerged, this paper mainly focuses on reporting the findings relevant to one dimension, i.e., incorporating NOS instruction in the courses of training pre-service science teachers. There were two preferences: twelve out of the twenty-four educators preferred having NOS instruction infused into the teaching of various course components, including inquiry-based science teaching approach, history of science, science subject content, and school science textbook analysis. The others chose to have a separated NOS module in their courses, though they indicated NOS might be also touched upon in other course components. It was found that three factors influenced their preference; the textbooks currently used by Chinese science teacher educators to train pre-service science teachers, their views of NOS content to be taught, and their vision of teaching NOS. We argue that the findings in this study provide some hints on ways to encourage science teacher educators to give higher priority to NOS instruction in their courses, which is believed necessary for achieving the goal of developing public’s scientific literacy.published_or_final_versio

Network capital: Emigration from Hong Kong

In this paper, we argue that it would be fruitful to regard personal networks as a form of capital capable of generating economic returns by drawing on our research findings on the recent wave of emigration from Hong Kong. By putting network capital on a par with economic and cultural capital, we seek to identify its distinctive features in terms of institutionalization, capacity, moral economy, and processes of conversion and reproduction. In substantiating our argument, we present some quantitative evidence from our survey data on the uneven distribution of kinship ties which can be mobilized for emigration among different occupational classes. We then make use of our in-depth interview data to show that there is a qualitative variation too in the type of networks used by different occupational classes for emigration purposes. We conclude by reflecting on the implications of the concept of network capital for the study of migration, class formation, and the global economy.postprin

在建築地盤的熱應力和熱環境之研究

Heat stress is a recognized hazard for construction workers. To ensure safety and health of the workers, it is important to study the heat stress and thermal environment in construction sites, and develop practical solutions to avoid adverse health effects and accidents. In typical construction sites, the employees have to work long hours in thermally stressful environments, and with heavy physical workload, especially during summer time. As a result, they are at high risk and this may pose special hazards of heat stress. This research examines different kinds of heat stress indices and standards in the world. The result indicates that wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) is a major factor affecting the level of heat stress because the rate of evaporation from human body is limited when WBGT increases. It is also found that some indexes provide little common agreement for the exposure limit and time; some can only be used for preliminary heat stress evaluation. In general, metabolic rate is the most difficult part to estimate in the heat stress equation for construction workers. It is concluded that engineering and administration method is the most effective way to control heat stress. Moreover, training and education for the employees are critical preventing accidents in construction sites.postprintThe Hunan-Hong Kong Joint Symposium 2011, Changsha, Hunan, China, 1-2 July 2011. In Proceedings of the Hunan-Hong Kong Joint Symposium, 2011, p. 52-612011湘港建築設備工程技術交流會, 中國, 湖南, 長沙, 2011年7月1日至2日. 會議記錄, 2011, p. 52-6

A seven-year professional development journey from learning Nature of Science (NOS) to teaching NOS

In the first section of the proposal, we provide some background of the science curricular reform in Hong Kong, in which the role of nature of science (NOS) has become more prominent. In relation to this, we summarise in the second section, our effort in the past decade in preparing science teachers to develop their students’ understanding of NOS. We then describe in the third section the design and implementation of a series of physics lessons by the second author, Lay, on the topic light wave which demonstrated a high level of NOS understanding and pedagogical competency of him. In the lessons, he made use of the historical development of the controversies about the nature of light to integrate teaching of related NOS ideas with the teaching of the key physics concepts in interference and diffraction of light, and application of electromagnetic wave. The NOS ideas embedded in historical episodes were covered in an interconnected manner: (1) contrasting subjectivity of science (theory-laden observation/inference/explanation, co-existence of more than one scientific models in explaining observations or natural phenomena, submission to authority in the scientific community) to objectivity of science (evidence based and empirical nature of science, scientists' conversion from the belief of particle model to wave model of light); (2) brief introduction of peer review process and its relationship to the establishment of scientific knowledge; (3) how an established scientific model may be replaced by another one. By referring to the detailed records of the professional training experienced by Lay and his own reflection of his experience at a number of incidents during his seven-year long journey of learning how to teach NOS, we come to identify several critical events and processes which prompted considerable advancement in his pedagogical content knowledge in teaching NOS, expansion of his teaching repertoire and uplifting his philosophy of science education. Specific linkages of his advancement in learning to teach NOS are connected to certain important and critical training components that he experienced since he first learned the term NOS in his teacher training education seven years ago. Though identifying important features which result in considerable growth of Lay in teaching NOS, we wish our experience can serve as good references for science educators in planning training programmes in enhancing teachers' confidence and competency in teaching NOS.postprintThe 11th International IHPST and 6th Greek History, Philosophy and Science Teaching Joint Conference, Thessaloniki, Greece, 1-5 July 2011

More from the horse's mouth: What scientists say about science as a social practice

This research study sought to identify prominent features of the nature of science (NOS) embedded in authentic scientific inquiry. Fourteen well-established scientists from different parts of the world, working in experimental or theoretical research, in both traditional fields such as astrophysics and rapidly growing research fields such as molecular biology, participated as the informants of the study. The descriptions of their practices revealed eight prominent categories of NOS features. In an earlier paper of ours, we have reported four categories under the two themes: (1) the methods of scientific investigation and (2) the role and status of scientific knowledge. In this paper, we focus on the remaining four categories under the theme: social dimensions of science. Scientists' descriptions of their practices have 'put some flesh on the bones' of the assertion that science is socially and culturally embedded. These descriptions also have considerable potential for development into interesting case studies as teaching resources to enhance and enrich students' understanding of NOS. © 2010 Taylor & Francis.postprin

Solution of a 3-D complex finite element model of skewed rotor induction motors using an iterative method

Author name used in this publication: S. L. HoAuthor name used in this publication: W. N. FuAuthor name used in this publication: H. C. WongH.C. Wong, Industrial CentreVersion of RecordPublishe

Minimization of current stress on the grid synchronization of doubly-fed induction generators for wind power generation

Author name used in this publication: S. L. HoAuthor name used in this publication: K. W. E. ChengVersion of RecordPublishe

Weak formulation of finite element method using wavelet basis functions

Author name used in this publication: S. L. HoAuthor name used in this publication: H. C. Wong2001-2002 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

Low cost high-side gate drive power supply for switched reluctance machines

Author name used in this publication: K. W. E. ChengAuthor name used in this publication: Ho S. L.Version of RecordPublishe

Thermal study of induction motors by phantom loading using multi-slice time stepping finite element modeling

Author name used in this publication: S. L. HoAuthor name used in this publication: W. N. FuAuthor name used in this publication: H. C. WongVersion of RecordPublishe