Guidance at a distance: developing an online interest inventory for adult Learners at OUHK

Interest inventory is one of the most popular methods employed to assist students in selecting suitable programmes and courses in their studies. From literature review, although there have been several interest inventories commonly used by adults in the western countries, none of them could be implanted in Hong Kong because of the differences in economic structure, cultural background, educational system, and especially the linguistic difference. The purpose of this project is to develop the first online self-directed interest inventory for the potential and current students at OUHK. The interest inventory can be regarded as an important component of student support services in the university. It is expected that the outcome could produce the personal profiles of adult learners at OUHK concerning their apparent and potential interests regarding the OUHK programmes and courses. It is hoped that this new inventory could be helpful in reducing the number of dropouts by enhancing the chance of students selecting the courses they will be satisfied. A computer-assisted interest inventory, in English and Chinese versions, is expected to be set up and linked to the homepage of the University.