Background Information

The Asia-Pacific Forum on Science Learning and Teaching (APFSLT) is a peer-reviewed online periodical (ISSN 1609-4913) dedicated to the effectiveness and interest of learning and teaching science subjects in schools. It was launched by the Science Department of Hong Kong Institute of Education on 10 July, 2000 with printed promotional leaflet mailed to all Science or Science-related teachers in over 1,300 secondary and primary schools in Hong Kong. The basic aim of this online periodical echoes with the vision of the Institute, namely "Optimizing each child's potential through the shared joy of learning and teaching", as well as some of the Institute's missions - to prepare and support teachers in professional development and to collaborate with schools on innovation and change in education.
This Forum invites contributions of original research papers or professional articles on innovative teaching ideas/methods or issues related to science education for broadcasting on the Internet. Potential contributors and target readers are science teachers and student-teachers, researchers, scholars, curriculum officers, science inspectors and other science educators in the local, regional and international communities.

Aims of the Online Forum
i. To provide a formal online publication channel for disseminating and sharing of new ideas, research findings and innovative teaching methods on science education at all levels of schools; and
ii. To promote academic exchange in using information technology for Science teaching and learning through a subject-based approach.

Contents of the Online Forum
i. Research articles contributed by primary/secondary science teachers and university level science educators on the theory and practice of any science subjects, such as General Studies, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy, Earth Science, Health Education, Environmental Education, etc.;
ii. Multimedia articles on sharing of school-based experience on cases of creative or effective science teaching methods (especially on the use of information technology), experimental procedures, science teaching resources, lesson plans, and even scheme of work (from teachers and teacher trainees) for sharing and comments;
iii. Software and hardware review (on science related equipment);
iv. Recommended web-sites on Science teaching resources;
v. Discussion of current issues in science education; and
vi. Readers' comments or feedback on articles in this online forum.

Editorial Board
Asia-Pacific Forum on Science Learning and Teaching

	Science Department HKIEd10 Lo Ping Road, Tai Po, N.T. Hong Kong
	Phone: 852-2948 7650	Fax: 852-2948 7676
	E-mail: apfslt@sci.ied.edu.hk	Website: http://www.ied.edu.hk/apfslt
Copyright (C) 2000-2003 HKIEd APFSLT. All Rights Reserved. ISSN 1609-4913.