Innovation and diffusion of blended synchronous classroom in Chinese primary and junior middle schools

• Published in: Educational technology research and development Vol. 72; no. 4; pp. 2373 - 2400
• Main Authors: Sun, Jia, Tong, Mingwen, Long, Taotao, Wang, Qiyun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.08.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Cultural and Regional Perspectives; Education; Educational Technology; Innovation; Learning and Instruction; Middle schools; Principals; School principals; Innovation; Blended synchronous classroom; Diffusion; Equitable education; DOI theory
• ISSN: 1042-1629; 1556-6501
• DOI: 10.1007/s11423-024-10365-x

Blended synchronous learning has diffused widely owing to its flexibility and accessibility. One of the special forms—blended synchronous classroom program (BSCP) for equitable education has fruited in some countries and areas. An in-depth understanding of the adoption and diffusion of an innovation is beneficial to a wider range of innovation. However, there might be a barrier for the diffusion of BSCP’s successful experience to other area due to differences in sociocultural orientation. In addition, there is basically little evidence on how BSCP is adopted and spread in a certain area. According to the diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory, a principal is generally the main innovation initiator in the school. Therefore, this study explores how BSCP had been adopted and diffused in an area in Southeastern China from the perspective of principals in primary and junior middle schools using Rogers’s DOI theory as the theoretical lens. The data was mainly collected from in-depth one-on-one interviews with nine (9) experienced principals. The results showed that multi-aspect factors provided preconditions for innovation of BSCP. Even though with a certain degree of complexity, perceived positive characteristics of BSCP helped the principals make the decision to adopt BSCP. In addition, practical strategies and creative man-made mechanisms ensured BSCP’s success and sustainability. Finally, the highlights for the BSCP’s adoption and diffusion in Yongkang are discussed from sociocultural orientation. The study will contribute to the wider diffusion study empirically and theoretically.