Since 1997 when Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, a string of education reforms have been introduced to improve the quality of education and maintain Hong Kong’s economic competitiveness in the age of globalization. This book provides a comprehensive and critical analysis of major issues and challenges faced by the education system, ranging from pre-school to higher education. It analyses the prospects for educational development in Hong Kong. It further addresses how the Hong Kong government has responded to the perceived challenges of the external environment and internal forces and explains the rationales for the actions taken. Not only does it review how the reform initiative challenges have been dealt with, it also reviews how effective these initiatives are and its implications on future directions.

`Each chapter in the book is firmly rooted in research and is well referenced as one would expect of such a book. It will be of particular use to people with an academic interest in this aspect of school management but will also be thought-provoking for those who are involved in the development of the curriculum within their institution′ - escalate This book explores many of the new aspects of the core business of schools and colleges, that is, the curriculum. Keeping the focus clearly on learning and teaching, the contributors explore the practical issues for managers at institutional level, within the context of their need to understand and analyze key educational values and principles. Part One presents overviews of theories and models of curriculum, while Part Two examines how these are applied through planning, monitoring and evaluating. Part Three explores in detail the various managerial roles within schools and colleges from leaders to those responsible for cross-curriculum work and special educational needs. The fourth part discusses the importance of effectively managing resources for the curriculum - the environment, support staff and finance. Contributors use empirical research evidence to analyze current curriculum trends whilst proposing various new models which are likely to emerge in the 21st century.

This edited volume sets the stage for discussion on Education 4.0, with a focus on applied degree education and the future of work. Education 4.0 refers to the shifts in the education sector in response to Industry 4.0 where digital transformation is impacting the ways in which the world of work and our everyday lives are becoming increasingly automated. In the applied degree sector, significant change and transformation is occurring as leaders, educators and partners evolve smart campus environments to include blended learning, artificial intelligence, data analytics, BYOD devices, process automation and engage in curriculum renewal for and with industries and professions. This volume aims to profile and enhance the contribution of applied educational practice and research particularly in the applied degree sector and includes contributions that show case real world outcomes with students and industry as partners. This edited volume includes a wide range of topics, such as rethinking the role of education and educators; curriculum and the future of work; industrial partnership, collaboration and work integrated learning; vocational and professional practices; students, industry and professions as partners; employability skills and qualities for the 21st century world of work; innovative pedagogy and instructional design; adaptive learning technologies; and data analytics, assessment and feedback. The contributors come from different parts of the world in higher education, including, Canada, China, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Macau, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

Despite prodigious developments in the field of language assessment in the Middle East and the Pacific Rim, research and practice in these areas have been underrepresented in mainstream literature. This volume takes a fresh look at language assessment in these regions, and provides a unique overview of contemporary language assessment research. In compiling this book, the editors have tapped into the knowledge of language and educational assessment experts whose diversity of perspectives and experience has enriched the focus and scope of language and educational assessment in general, and the present volume in particular. The six ‘trends’ addressed in the 26 chapters that comprise this title consider such contemporary topics as data mining, in-class assessment, and washback. The contributors explore new approaches and techniques in language assessment including advances resulting from multidisciplinary collaboration with researchers in computer science, genetics, and neuroscience. The current trends and promising new directions identified in this volume and the research reported here suggest that researchers across the Middle East and the Pacific Rim are playing—and will continue to play—an important role in advancing the quality, utility, and fairness of language testing and assessment practices.