ICI Huaxia Curriculum Forum No. 156║Zhang Xiaolei: Chinese Teacher Learning in School-based Teaching and Research

On June 18, associate professor Zhang Xiaolei, from Tianjin University, visited Huaxia Curriculum Forum. Zhang shared her research entitled “Chinese Teacher Learning in School-based Teaching and Research”. The forum was held by Professor Chen Shuangye, Deputy Director of ICI. Professor Cui Yunhuo, associate professor Xiao Sihan, associate professor Wang Zhe and Dr. Liu Junyan attended the forum.

Content of the Report

From the perspective of education policy, school-based teaching and research is seen as “the last mile” of the implementation of curriculum reform. Zhang first shared how she gradually focused on the field of “teacher learning” during her doctoral study, to be specific, the collective learning of after-service teachers in China.

Centering on the problem of “To what extent does school-based teaching and research promote teachers’ continuous learning and teaching reform under the context of the new curriculum reform”. she mainly talked about three aspects: first, how teachers’ learning occurs in school-based teaching and research; second, how knowledge develops during their learning process; third, the factors that affect teachers’ learning and their changes.

Based on the related research in two middle schools in Shanghai, Zhang constructed an analytical framework from the perspective of organizational learning and knowledge management, in order to analyze the process of teacher learning.

Starting from adaptive and exploratory learning activities, Zhang discussed how teachers develop their knowledge in the process of participating in school-based teaching and research activities. It is further pointed out that the leadership strategy of the principal and the head of the teaching and research group is the key to construct the school-based teaching and research culture in the group, and to affect the teachers’ learning effect.

Finally, Zhang pointed out that the research on school-based teaching and research from different theoretical perspectives will help to tell the story of Chinese teaching and research better.

Discussion

After sharing the research experience on the field of “teaching and research” over the past ten years, Zhang conducted in-depth discussion with the present teachers and students about the research participants, research methods, the research conclusions and some theoretical perspectives.