∷ Beijing Yifang Foundation → Education [Research] → 2018
• China’s Experience in Lesson Study
Partner Organization: Beijing Normal University - Teacher Education Research Center
Project Duration: Oct 2018 - Oct 2020
Project Status: Completed
Lesson study is a systematic investigation of classroom teaching and is carried out by a group of teachers. Its purpose is to improve the quality of teaching and learning. Current studies mainly focus on international experience and speculative research, while little formal study has been conducted specific to China.
The foundation partnered the Teacher Education Research Center of Beijing Normal University for this project with the goal to construct a suitable research model for lesson study in China. The project studied core concepts of existing models, the roles and organization of participants, the method and evaluation of teacher’s learning; addressed questions, collected feedback and analyzed improvements raised during lesson study activities. In addition, the team studied the relationship between each models’ unique characteristics and the resulting teaching improvements. The project adopted a qualitative approach, collecting observations from lesson study activities and interviews with participants. The data collected was then analyzed against the models, tested and refined through several rounds of trials. This locally adapted model, is not only beneficial to front-line educators but also serves as a valuable store of past experiences and accumulated wisdom. It set a strong foundation for future curriculum research in China.