Global convergence or national variation? Examining national patterns of classroom instructional practices

Author
Periodical
Globalisation, Societies and Education
Volume
17
Year
2019
Issue number
3
Page range
353-377
Relates to study/studies
TIMSS 2011

Global convergence or national variation? Examining national patterns of classroom instructional practices

Abstract

The world culture framework posits a convergence in the organisation of education across the world. On the other hand, scholars observing teaching practices inside classrooms find significant variation among nations and regions of the world. This study examined the global change patterns of classroom practices at the between- and within-country levels, drawing on teacher reports from the Trends in Mathematics and Science Study. Results indicate clear between-country convergence toward more student-centred and conceptual instruction. But a nation’s degree of conformity or resistance to this model was contingent upon other nation-specific factors, including centralised curriculum control or world regional location.