Learning through Self-discipline and Personal Growth Facilitated by

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

Co-curricular Activities Special Orientation BBQ Gathering Academic and Social Exchange in Shenzhen TDG Project No. 6000106 PI: Prof Ng Sik-hung

Co-curricular Activities “To Be a Successful Student” Workshops 1) Student Identity and Ideal Graduate 2) Term Paper Writing Skills 3) Post-exam Gathering 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

Pedagogy: Learning and Personal Growth 1 st 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 2 nd semester → Personal Growth (6 workshops) 4 set topics 3 rd semester →Self-Development Project (Independent Study) • Understanding Self Sample Topics: • Communication skills Enhancing English • Relationship and conflict Managing personal resolution finances • Professional Self Development Preparing for an academic 2 more topics to be decided exchange in consultation with students Self-understanding Student reflection and through Chinese poetry evaluation and music Becoming socially responsible Student reflection and evaluation 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