Exploring the project approach in Hong Kong preschools: A collaborative effort

The seminar aims at disseminating the research findings of the research project exploring the “Project Approach in Hong Kong Preschools: A Collaborative Effort” funded by the Teaching Development Grant. The research was led by two lecturers of Hong Kong Institute of Education, School of Early Childhood Education, in collaboration with 5 graduates of CE / KG Course who separated into two teaching teams implemented two different projects in two collaborated kindergartens. One objective of the research was to explore how the project approach could be implemented in Hong Kong preschools as a contemporary teaching approach that provides children with the opportunities for interactive learning, intrinsic motivation and child directed activities. The research started in July 1997 and two major findings were observed: (a) Teacher conception of their roles in the Project Approach is crucial to the successful implementation of this approach; (b) For kindergartens beginning to implement the Project Approach, the concept of scaffolding’ initiated by Vogosky should be applied to help the less experience staff. Two videos, one on the implementation of the two projects and the other on the changing roles of a teacher during the implementation process will be shown in the seminar. Discussion will focus on issues arisen from the videos. The participants will be requested to fill in a questionnaire evaluating the effectiveness of the videos as a guide to implementation of the Project Approach in the Hong Kong context.