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Knowledge Building Model for Educational and Pedagogical Innovation and Cultural-Contextual Influences

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International Handbook on Education Development in Asia-Pacific

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Abstract

Globalisation, knowledge economies, technology explosion, and COVID-19 pandemics have brought about unprecedented changes and the pervasive needs to cultivate learners’ problem-solving, innovation, and creative capacity for knowledge work. This chapter discusses the knowledge building model that brings knowledge creation to classrooms for educational and pedagogical innovation, drawing from international and Asia-Pacific research. Originating in Canada, knowledge building is now implemented in K-12 and tertiary classrooms internationally and in the Asia-Pacific, including Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, and New Zealand. Knowledge building emphasises student agency and collective responsibility; students are engaged directly in knowledge work pursuing sustained idea development, the foundational practice of knowledge creation. Knowledge Forum® (KF) is a custom-built knowledge-building technology developed in tandem with advances in knowledge-building theory and practice. This chapter first introduces the knowledge building model’s theory, pedagogy, and technology featuring principle-based pedagogical innovation. Four major lines of knowledge-building research from the Asia-Pacific are discussed, including (a) Fostering and designing knowledge-building environments, (b) Examining effects and impacts of knowledge building, (c) Teacher learning, professional development and systemic change, and (d) Technological and methodological advances. This chapter also discusses cultural-contextual challenges and opportunities, including the examination culture and the paradox of the Chinese learner, for adopting innovation in Asian classrooms. The contributions and implications of knowledge building research for advancing educational and pedagogical innovation internationally and in the Asia-Pacific are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

    Carol K. K. Chan

  2. National Institute of Education, Learning Sciences & Assessment, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore

    Seng Chee Tan

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  1. Carol K. K. Chan
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  2. Seng Chee Tan
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Correspondence to Carol K. K. Chan .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Singapore Institute of Adult Learning, Singapore University of Social Sciences, Singapore, Singapore

    Wing On Lee

  2. School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK

    Phillip Brown

  3. Lynch School of Education and Human Development, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA

    A. Lin Goodwin

  4. University College London Institute of Education, London, UK

    Andy Green

Section Editor information

  1. Human Communication, Development, and Information Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

    Carol Chan

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Chan, C.K.K., Tan, S.C. (2023). Knowledge Building Model for Educational and Pedagogical Innovation and Cultural-Contextual Influences. In: Lee, W.O., Brown, P., Goodwin, A.L., Green, A. (eds) International Handbook on Education Development in Asia-Pacific. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-2327-1_53-1

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