Large class, small class

Author: Cui Yunhe, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: The "Research-Based Learning Case Studies Series for Senior High Schools" is the first case study series in China focusing on the implementation and development of research-based learning. It examines the research-based learning practices of six schools of different types, dedicated to dialogue, interpretation, reconstruction, understanding, and analysis based on case studies, rather than simply telling, transmitting, and imposing knowledge. The series includes:
- "Research-Based Learning in Rural Areas – Case Study of Xichang High School, Hainan County, Jiangsu Province"
- "Effective, Endless Exploration – Case Study of Xishan High School, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province"
- "Research-Based Learning in the Context of Information Technology – Case Study of Beijing Normal University Affiliated Experimental High School"
- "Moving Towards Curriculum Leadership – Case Study of Wuhan No. 49 Middle School"
- "Large Classes, Small Classrooms – Case Study of Wenling High School, Zhejiang Province"
- "A Catalyst for Innovative Thinking – Case Study of Dadao High School, Shanghai"
These six case studies collectively explore six critical issues at the school level that urgently need to be addressed in China's current senior high school research-based learning:
- How can schools implement this open-ended course effectively and reasonably based on their local context?
- How can research-based learning be conducted in the context of information technology?
- How can research-based learning be evaluated and managed?
- Can rural middle schools carry out research-based learning? Is it a resource issue or a problem of awareness and action?
- How can large-scale schools with more than 20 parallel classes carry out research-based learning for all students? Are there specific strategies?
- How is Shanghai's research-based curriculum planned and designed? What are its similarities and differences compared to the research-based learning in the national senior high school curriculum framework?
If these six issues are resolved well, schools that "want to implement but lack strategies" can gain inspiration or ideas, or refer to and emulate the approaches presented. This series is based on two years of field research conducted by project experts in the participating schools, telling the curriculum stories of the six project schools.