Exploring High School Teacher Collaboration in China: A Thematic Analysis of 30 Teachers' Collaboration Experiences in Shanghai (Poster 19)

• In Event: Saturday Poster Session 1:15 pm
  In Poster Session: Enhancing Teacher Efficacy Through Collaboration and Evaluation

Abstract

Teacher collaboration is not only an essential pathway for teacher professional development, but also an important base for building school culture. This qualitative study provides a micro perspective on teacher collaboration in Chinese high schools by utilizing thematic analysis on data collected 30 high school teachers in Shanghai. The study found that there are three typical types of high school teacher collaboration: consensus-based collaboration, interdependent collaboration, and reciprocal collaboration. There are also challenges and problems in teacher collaboration, including formalism and superficiality in collaboration, the absence of interactive collaboration, among others. Teachers’ personalities and perceptions of collaboration, leadership support, as well as school culture significantly influence teachers’ collaboration across all levels including goals, processes, and results.

Authors

• Xueli Shi, East China Normal University

• Huang Wu, University of Missouri - Kansas City