Cultural Transposition of Chinese Lesson Study to Italy: An Exploratory Study on Fractions in a Fourth-Grade Classroom

Item

Title

Cultural Transposition of Chinese Lesson Study to Italy: An Exploratory Study on Fractions in a Fourth-Grade Classroom

Abstract/Description

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the early implementation of a model of mathematics teacher development in Italian schools, inspired by Chinese lesson study (CLS), focusing on similarities and differences.

Design/methodology/approach
A research lesson study on fractions in the fourth grade was conducted. The approach was designed based on the theory of semiotic mediation (TSM) enriched by means of quaternary analysis and the variation pedagogy of CLS. In this study, qualitative methods were employed involving the collection of data including lesson plans, observations and post-lesson analyses.

Findings
The purpose of this study is to determine what works and what does not work in the Italian context. Answers to the following research questions are provided: How did LS incorporate quaternary analysis and variation pedagogy in the TSM? How and why were changes introduced in the structure of the lesson plan with respect to the CLS? How did members of the Italian Mathematics Teaching Research Group increase their knowledge of teaching methods and content?

Research limitations/implications
The issues to be considered in further studies include the possible conflicts emerging between the cultures of teaching in China and Italy and the way to overcome them.

Practical implications
The main ideas of CLS are consistent with the general indications of the Italian Ministry of Education for the three-year program (2016-2019) of mandatory teacher development.

Originality/value
Reporting the findings of an Italian LS is aimed at exploring the differences and similarities among the different forms of LS, under the influence of cultural and institutional constraints.

Author/creator

Bartolini Bussi, Maria Giuseppina

Bertolini, Chiara

Ramploud, Alessandro

Sun, Xuhua

Date

2017

In publication

International Journal for Lesson and Learning Studies

Volume

6

Issue

4

Pages

380-395

Resource type

en Research/Scholarly Media

Resource status/form

en Published Text

Scholarship genre

en Empirical

Keywords

Chinese lesson study

cultural transposition

fractions

Italian school system

primary school mathematics

semiotic mediation

IRE Approach/Concept

Lesson Study

Chinese Lesson Study

Primary national context

Italy

Open access/full-text available

en Yes

Peer reviewed

en Yes

ISSN

2046-8253

DOI

10.1108/IJLLS-12-2016-0057

URL

Official Publisher’s Webpage (Emerald Insight)

Full-text PDF Shared by Author (ResearchGate)

Is part of

Theory and Practice of Chinese Lesson Study and Its Adaption in Other Countries [Special Issue]

Citation

Bartolini Bussi, M. G., Bertolini, C., Ramploud, A., & Sun, X. (2017). Cultural Transposition of Chinese Lesson Study to Italy: An Exploratory Study on Fractions in a Fourth-Grade Classroom. International Journal for Lesson and Learning Studies, 6(4), 380–395. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLLS-12-2016-0057

Item sets

Open Access Resource (IRE)

Int J Lesson Learning Std 6(4)

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