Determinant factors for implementing learning study in developing countries: the case of Tanzania

Abstract

The study explored the contributing factors in implementing the learning study approach in Tanzanian secondary schools. Three mathematics teachers formed a learning study group, guided by the variation theory of learning, to share their experiences on how to implement a Learner-Centred Approach (LCA) in their school milieu. Teachers were interviewed at the end of each intervention phase on the prospects they encountered in the course of implementing the learning studies. Classroom observation notes were taken to supplement the interview data, which were analysed using phenomenographic variation framework. The results show that the school’s administrative support, the existing curriculum and perceived positive outcomes of the learning studies were the key factors contributing to the learning study perfection. We therefore, conclude that careful attention should be taken into account to promote key aspects for sustainable implementation of the learning studies in developing countries’ secondary schools with similar attributes to the Tanzanian context.

Keywords:

• Learning study
• variation theory
• contributing factors
• developing countries
• learner-centred approach

Acknowledgements

We humbly appreciate the teachers in the learning study group who participated in this study, and the contributions from anonymous students.