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Article of Volume 6, Issue 1, March 2011

The Singapore experience: Synergy of national policy, classroom practice and design research

Authors: Chee-Kit Looi, Hyo-Jeong So, Yancy Toh, Wenli Chen

Abstract: In recent years there has been a proliferation of research findings on CSCL at the micro and macro levels, but few compelling examples of how CSCL research has impacted actual classroom practices at the meso-level have emerged. This paper critically examines the impact of adopting a systemic approach to innovative education reforms at the macro, meso, and micro levels in Singapore. It presents the case for adopting design research as a methodology for CSCL integration that meets the needs of schools, and discusses a specific CSCL innovation that holds the potential for sustaining transformation in classroom practices. Our driving question is: In what ways can the routine use of CSCL practices in the classroom be supported by exploring systemic factors in the school setting through design research? We will explore the synergistic conditions that led to meaningful impact (at the micro level), mediated by systemic approaches to working with teachers in the schools (at the meso level), guided by Singapore’s strategic planning for scalability (at the macro level).

Keywords: CSCL practices, CSCL impact, Sustainability and scaling, School-based CSCL, Design-based research

Citation: Looi, C.-K., So, H.-J., Toh, Y., & Chen, W. (2011) The Singapore experience: Synergy of national policy, classroom practice and design research. ijcscl 6 (1), pp. 9-37

DOI: 10.1007/s11412-010-9102-8

Preprint: looi_so_toh_chen_6_1.pdf

About this article at link.springer.com [http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11412-010-9102-8] including a link to the official electronic version.