Supporting Teachers to Enact Integrative Practical Activities in China

This book describes the design and evaluation of a professional development arrangement in which curriculum materials are embedded. The purpose for the professional development arrangement is aimed at supporting teachers enacting the integrative practical activities (IPA) to promote students inquiry skills and IT skills in secondary schools in China. Four versions of the exemplary curriculum materials and two versions of the professional development arrangement are developed in total. The findings from formative evaluations and summative evaluation indicate that the exemplary curriculum materials as a tool for facilitating teachers learning about innovative curricula are an essential component in the professional development arrangement. The video-clips demonstration as a component of the exemplary materials contributes to teachers enacting IPA in particular. Findings reveal that a teacher professional development arrangement consisting of professional development workshop, exemplary curriculum materials, follow-up support, and organization support contributes to the enactment of student-centered IPA lessons.

Zhang Qianwei (1964) is professor at South China University, Guangzhou, China. Her research interests are information technology in education and curriculum, information literacy, and teacher professional development in the field of educational technology.