Chinese Teachers' Perspectives and Practices of Student-Centered Teaching: A Case Study in Enshi, Hubei Province

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 13
  In Roundtable Session: Becoming a "Good" Teacher: Teacher Perspectives and/on Student Learning

Abstract

China has promoted student-centered teaching (SCT) in K-12 education for nearly twenty years, but the result is not satisfying, especially in economically less developed areas. Current literature points out that teachers are the key barriers for implementing SCT in China. Based on a case study of four participating teachers in a less developed Chinese prefecture, this paper presents findings of these participants' perceptions of student-centeredness. The results demonstrate that their perceptions of student-centeredness are grounded on three roles that they see themselves in relation to their students: a teacher, a family member, and a friend. Their practice of student-centeredness goes beyond the boundaries of the micro classroom and reaches students’ daily life.

Authors

• Lei Ping, University of Nevada - Las Vegas

• Katrina Liu, University of Nevada - Las Vegas