Learning through Self-discipline and Personal Growth, Facilitated by Coaching
Professor Ng Sik Hung, Principal Investigator
Co-Investigators:
Dr. Betty Eng, Dr. Julian Lai, Dr. T.Y. Lee,Dr. K.K. Leung, Dr. David Lok & Dr. Vincent Tse
Ms. Stephanie Lai, Project Manager
Ms. Katty P. Ho, Editor and Layout Designer
Department of Applied Social Studies
TDG Project No. 6000106 PI: Prof Ng Sik-hung
Objective:
To utilize knowledge and skills in social work, psychology and other social sciences to motivate and guide students to learn better through self-discipline and personal growth, facilitated by coaching.
TDG Project No. 6000106 PI: Prof Ng Sik-hung
Rationale
• Prior research: Year-1 academic performance was the best predictor of final GPA. School Certificate and A-level results were poor predictors. Hence, the importance of quality of the first year at university.
• Informed by LASSI profile that indicated our students were low in motivation and attitude.
• Supported by: Staff-student forums to identify and address genuine and timely student needs and gaps in positive attitude and behavior.
• Commitment: Two-year cycle to facilitate continuous improvement and institutionalization of best practices.
• Evaluation: Triangulation of methods to assess short and long-term impact.
TDG Project No. 6000106 PI: Prof Ng Sik-hung
Components
• A programme of co-curricular activities specifically designed for first-year students within the Department of Applied Social Studies.
• A credit-bearing full-year course (Learning and Personal Growth) open to all first-year students
TDG Project No. 6000106 PI: Prof Ng Sik-hung
Special Orientation
Co-curricular Activities
BBQ Gathering
Academic and Social Exchange in Shenzhen
TDG Project No. 6000106 PI: Prof Ng Sik-hung
3) Post-exam Gathering
“To Be a Successful Student”
Workshops
2) Term Paper Writing Skills
1) Student Identity and Ideal Graduate
Co-curricular Activities
TDG Project No. 6000106 PI: Prof Ng Sik-hung
Other Co-curricular Activities
• Library Electronic Resources - learning data base, literature search for academic journals, books, media materials
• Adventure-Based Training Camp – strengthening self-confidence and team-building
• Community-Based Programs: Visits to Centres for Autistic Persons, Elderly, Young Offenders, Bereavement – promoting social connectedness and civic responsibility
TDG Project No. 6000106 PI: Prof Ng Sik-hung
Conclusions: Co-curricular Activities
• Activities should address student needs and perceived gaps;• Direct effect of co-curricular activities difficult to ascertain;• Available evidence shows some limited positive effects and no
negative effects; • Positive effects on study disciplines varied across cohorts;• Overall, study disciplines were low with respect to preparation
before and after class, but high in completing assignments and participation in class suggesting a reliance on structured classroom activities and assignments and an inadequate initiative to do more.
TDG Project No. 6000106 PI: Prof Ng Sik-hung
TDG Project No. 6000106 PI: Prof Ng Sik-hung
Learning and Personal Growth
• Identify, explain and apply learning skills essential for university life in the short and long term;
• Identify, reflect and acquire skills to enhance your personal growth;
• Demonstrate and analyze social-relational intelligence and professional and vocational preparedness through understanding social connectedness and participating in relevant co-curricular activities; and
• Reflect and apply positive qualities towards becoming responsible, productive, and civic-minded citizens who contribute to the community
TDG Project No. 6000106 PI: Prof Ng Sik-hung
1st semester
→Developing Learning Skills (at the University) (6 tutorials)• Time management
• Effective reading
• Note-taking and literature
search
• Essay writing
• Test-taking
Student reflection and evaluation
2nd semester
→ Personal Growth (6 workshops)
4 set topics• Understanding Self
• Communication skills
• Relationship and conflict
resolution
• Professional Self Development
2 more topics to be decided in consultation with students
Student reflection and evaluation
3rd semester
→Self-Development
Project
(Independent Study)
Sample Topics: Enhancing English
Managing personal
finances
Preparing for an academic
exchange
Self-understanding
through Chinese poetry
and music
Becoming socially
responsible
Student reflection and evaluation
Pedagogy: Learning and Personal Growth
TDG Project No. 6000106 PI: Prof Ng Sik-hung
Evidence-Based Approach: Tools and Indicators
LASSI results: (Pre-registration and Interim)
Designed questionnaires to measure (Baseline & Follow-up):
Meta-cognition, social connectedness, and good citizenship
Student reflection and evaluation: LPG and Co-curricular
Teaching Feedback Questionnaire
Student Narrative Study
Teacher Narratives
TDG Project No. 6000106 PI: Prof Ng Sik-hung
Conclusions: LPG
• Need for academic and personal support for transition to university life;
• Individualized coaching over an extended period of time and not limited to orientation
and short-term measures;
• Challenge to provide teaching and learning experiences to support personal and
academic development when small class size is not possible;
• Contributes to application of knowledge and skills to academic studies and personal and
professional development but;
• Caution to drawing causal relationship and making generalization;
• But contributes to our understanding of ways of teaching and learning that nurture and
support students.
TDG Project No. 6000106 PI: Prof Ng Sik-hung
Long-term Applications
• “Project X: Learning Excellence”
• Curriculum materials, lesson plans, power points and reading materials from LPG
• Journal article to disseminate our findings--
“Learning and Personal Growth: A Cultural Perspective”
TDG Project No. 6000106 PI: Prof Ng Sik-hung
