教與學 - Primary School Chicken 2013-09-20

Just right before the summer vacation began, I overheard my students calling another student "siu hok gai (primary school chicken)" – a term which amused me. Later in the summer, I learnt that the "siu hok gai", who was indeed one of the high achievers in the associate degree programme, had received a senior place admission offer from The University of Hong Kong [HKU]. I wonder what may happen to this "siu hok gai" at HKU.

The term "siu hok gai" was originally used to describe the energetic primary school students who always enjoy running in the playground of their school like a flock of chicks, yet it is now widely used to criticise people of all ages who behave childishly like primary school students. Those "siu hok gai", although they are not necessarily low academic achievers, may have difficulty getting along with their peers as they tend to be overdependent on their "monster/helicopter" parents who may have focused too much on their children's academic development but ignored the development of their children's social skills and attitude. Now that we are admitting students who are one year younger into our programmes, how "siu hok gai" do you think are our students? In fact, it may not be uncommon for lecturers to receive complaints from students about other students not playing their part in their projects.

Education means more than knowledge acquisition. To evolve from a "siu hok gai", alongside academic rigour, our students need to be empowered to take charge of their own learning at the College. They need to learn what to do when they do not know what to do, and know the responsibilities they are expected to bear in the sub-degree programmes. Here are some examples:

1. Set their academic goals and know what they need/want to achieve in the sub-degree programme;
2. Choose the path they take to achieve their academic goals; contact the programme counselling team members if they have trouble choosing their courses;
3. Never miss their classes
4. Prepare well for the classes;
5. Take judged risks and participate well in class;
6. Reflect regularly on their learning to identify their strengths and weaknesses;
7. Get help from their lecturer(s) if they have a question or fall behind;
8. Manage their time wisely and pay particular attention to the deadlines;
9. Develop original ideas and never plagiarise; and
10. Tackle problems (e.g. conflicts with team members) by themselves.

When students develop these abilities, they will turn from a "siu hok gai" to a "dai hok san" (college student). While they are trying hard to make personal growth through a wide range of advising, counselling and support services we arranged for them, we may take a break, step back and let go!