Citizenship Education 15 pages
Professordebar
ce2_1.docxPurpose of the research:
You are invited to take part in a research study seeking to investigate Citizenship Education that is offered in international schools in Hong Kong. This form is part of an “informed participant consent,” which enables one to understand the study before choosing to participate.
This study is being conducted by a researcher named Mian Shum who is undertaking a Master of Arts in Global and International Citizenship Education at the University of York.
Background information:
The purpose of this study is to investigate Citizenship Education that is offered at international schools that are located within Hong Kong through education system adapted from various countries.
Privacy:
The information provided will be kept confidential by the researcher. The researcher will not disclose or use the information for other purposes other than writing this academic thesis. The researcher will not include personal details or anything else that could give out your identity in the study reports. Anonymity of the participants will be assured through allocation of numbers for identification of participants. The information will be kept in password protected computers until the research is due, as per the institution’s requirements. The data will form the basis of my MA thesis, it may also be used for presentation based on the study. Your identity will never be revealed in any report based on the study. Comment by Victoria Elliott: How long will transcripts be kept? The word anonymity needs to be used here.
Procedures:
If you accept to participate in this research, please answer the question on the following page.
Question 1: Do you have any experience of Citizenship Education?
Not in my professional career, however I am very interested in the subject matter and I think it needs to be enclosed in international curricula.
Question 2: What is your definition of Citizenship Education?
Citizenship education for me means that young adults are prepared to become aware of the system they live in to allow them to create awareness of their respective culture
Question 3: In your opinion, what are the benefits of teaching Citizenship Education?
Citizenship education provides a foundation for an understanding of the societal framework students are educated in, which enables them to make decisions and to take responsibility within their communities. Democracy is based on active and informed citizens who are willing and able to contribute to their societies. In order to do so they need to be educated and informed about their rights and responsibilities, which will in turn allow them to articulate and form their beliefs and opinions which in turns benefits the overall society and can have an influence of how this society develops in the future. Therefore, I think citizenship education is absolutely crucial in any educational system.
Question 4: What do you think the obstacles might be for educators in teaching Citizenship Education?
Obstacles can results from strict political constraints or the fact that some political systems rather oppress a proper education of their citizens instead of allowing them to be free thinkers. Some societies seemingly prefer a herd that follows the flow of thought rather than educated individuals which could pose a threat to totalitarian regimes.
Question 5: In the context of Hong Kong, do you think Citizenship Education is applicable? Why?
Hong Kong has a diverse and intense history dating back many centuries. Due to the various political decisions made in the past it is absolutely vital for the younger generations to understand the system that is currently in place and the implications this may have on their societies future in Asia.
Question 6: Should international schools located in Hong Kong adapt a Citizenship Education curriculum based from the country of its origin? (eg: Australian International School Hong Kong teaches students with the democracy concept of Australia.)
In my belief International schools should certainly educate the students both in the political concepts of their origin but also of the country where the school is located to allow a wide variety of options for education and forming opinions. It is interesting to take a closer look at more than one system to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each as well as educating an open mind for cultural diversity.
Question 7: Should Hong Kong Government create a Citizenship Education curriculum for International School students in Hong Kong, to teach them the contexts based on the location that they are living in?
Absolutely, as already explained above I believe it is absolutely crucial to be aware of the societal and political framework of the country you are located and educated in, regardless of the future background of the student. This can enable the student to become more open minded and eliminates cultural barriers to the country one is living in at the moment.
**Thank you for your time in participating this research.**
