This Forum article addresses some of the issues raised in the article by Ying-Syuan Huang and Anila Asghar's paper entitled: "Science education reform in Confucian learning cultures: teachers' perspectives on policy and practice in Taiwan." An attempt is made to highlight the need for a more nuanced approach in considering the Confucian…

In response to an essay by Prof Wu Zongjie that was published in the "Journal of Curriculum Studies" [43(5), (2011), 569-590], I argue that, despite dramatic changes that have taken place in the language of Chinese academic discourse and pedagogy, evidence derived from the fields of psychology and the history of Chinese educational…

This is a response to the commentaries on my essay, "Interpretation, autonomy, and transformation". However, the response is reoriented to further interpretation of Chinese pedagogic discourse in the late-19th century, which is often blamed for hampering China's educational advance. Instead of considering Classical Confucian pedagogy as…

Both in China and internationally, educators and policy makers claim that vocational education and training (VET) is essential for the sound economic development of a country and the physical and social well-being of its population. However, China looks back upon a century-long history of rejection when it comes to popularising VET, despite…

In March 1978, under the suggestion of Chinese-born Nobel Prize laureate Tsung-Dao Lee, China launched its first gifted education program at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC). Based on nominations and interviews, 21 gifted students aged 11-16 were enrolled in USTC and comprised a special class. Five years later, the early…

In his 2008 bestseller, "The Post-American World," Fareed Zakaria argued that the most significant development of the early 21st century is not, as others have predicted, the inevitable decline of the United States as the world's super-power but rather "the rise of the rest." In subsequent works, Zakaria and many others,…

This is the fourth of five commentaries discussing Zongjie Wu's essay, "Interpretation, autonomy, and transformation". It argues that he may have committed two methodological mistakes in his contrast between traditional Chinese education and contemporary Chinese (and Western) education: reverse-Orientalism and a form of fundamentalism.…

In order to better understand the relationship between educational psychology research and educational reform, this essay reviews the development of educational psychology studies in the last 20 years in China. The study shows that: (1) Rapid development has been made in the areas of establishing discipline systems; (2) Research fields have been…

Adult education in China is a socialist adult education with typical Chinese characteristics. The purposes and objectives are to raise the quality of life for workers; train and prepare specialists, administrators, and managers; and develop people who are dedicated, moral, disciplined, and well-informed so that a powerful socialist China can be…

Provides a discussion of some characteristics of the Asian educational system and then offers a more complete description of science education in Mainland China and Taiwan. Concludes with a discussion of the issues and trends of science education in Mainland China and Taiwan. (Author/VWL)

Reports on a visit to the People's Republic of China by 13 U.S. community college presidents. Reviews educational trends between 1949 and 1976, and since 1978. Describes the shortage of schools, personnel, and adequately-equipped facilities, and a new awareness of adult learners and their needs. (DMM)

A social studies teacher who participated in the 1980 Fulbright seminar in China talks about educational policy and educational practices in China today. Background information on the cultural revolution is also provided. (RM)

Dewey's educational theory of pragmatism spread widely in China from the early 1920's to the late 1940's and exerted a tremendous impact on Chinese education. However, on the whole, his pragmatist system of educational ideas is outmoded and does not conform to the needs of contemporary education. (IAH)

The historical background and development of postgraduate education in the People's Republic of China (PRC) are discussed. Before the founding of PRC, there were only a few higher education institutions that offered postgraduate programs at the master's level. No doctoral programs were offered and no doctorates were awarded in old China. Before…

Intends to make the possible purposes of kindergarten education explicit in order to promote better conceptualization and research. History shows that the definition of appropriate kindergarten experience has changed over time. Different educational traditions lead to different conceptions of appropriate experience for kindergarten children. (RH)