The Western models adopted included classroom instruction with set times of attendance, the use of credits based on class hours per week, the use of textbooks and laboratories, and the systems of academic departments and academic years. All of these differed greatly from the traditional system of private academies in China.
例如以一周、幾個鐘點來計算學習單位、以班級授課、有上下課制度、用教科書、建立實驗室、分科教學、年級制等等，都和傳統的私塾、書院教育不同。