Back to Search Start Over

How Was Teaching Thinking Adopted and Diffused in Chinese Primary Schools? A Qualitative Study from Principals' Perspectives

How Was Teaching Thinking Adopted and Diffused in Chinese Primary Schools? A Qualitative Study from Principals' Perspectives

Authors :
Zhao, Guoqing
Long, Taotao
Zhao, Rongchi
Yang, Xuanyang
Zhang, Xiangling
Hyerle, David
Source :
Asia Pacific Journal of Education. 2023 43(1):299-316.
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

This study aimed at gaining an in-depth understanding of how "teaching thinking" was adopted and diffused as an instructional innovation in primary schools from principals' perspectives. Using Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory as a theoretical lens, one-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight Chinese primary school principals. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, open coded, and analysed by using constant comparison analysis. Results found:1) the principals' prior knowledge about teaching thinking and their "perceived characteristics" of the thinking skills programme (TSP) prompted the principals to adopt the TSP in their schools; 2) recruiting "seed teachers," offering "direct thinking skills classes," and demonstrating "cannon fodder classes" played an important role in kicking off the TSP; 3) engaging in online and on-site training, infusing thinking skills into subjects, and routinizing "lesson studies" were essential in adapting the school to teaching thinking; 4) opening training and lesson studies to all teachers, and point-to-area peer influence were effective ways of diffusing teaching thinking in schools; 5) building positive feedback mechanisms, making teaching thinking a distinct feature of the school, collaborating with external partners, and forming organizational memory were effective measures of sustaining the diffusion. Implications for adopting and diffusing instructional innovations in schools were discussed.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0218-8791 and 1742-6855
Volume :
43
Issue :
1
Database :
ERIC
Journal :
Asia Pacific Journal of Education
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
EJ1378808
Document Type :
Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/02188791.2021.1911786