Find out more about Lesson Study in Malaysia

Lesson Study in Malaysia is primarily a classroom research initiative to promote the growth of teacher professional development. In 2004, Lesson study was introduced in Malaysia for the first time as a research project and post graduate study. Subsequently there was more involvement in further Lesson Study research under the APEC project during 2006, 2007 and 2008. The Lesson Study project expanded and The National Lesson Study Conference was held in the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation-Regional Centre for Education in Science and Mathematics (SEAMEO-RECSAM), Penang which was co-organised by the University Science Malaysia (USM) in 2008.

In 2010, an Open Class was held at the Syed Shah Sahabudin Science Department, Penang involving 14 schools and 100 teachers. Eventually in 2011, Lesson Study was officially adopted by the Ministry of Education Malaysia where 289 primary and secondary schools were given initial exposure related to the process of implementing Lesson Study in schools.

The Faculty of Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) started Lesson Study through a series of seminars by experts from Nagoya University, Japan. These seminars provided exposure on lesson study to undergraduate and PhD students.

The Ministry of Education Malaysia strongly encourages teachers to collaborate through Professional Learning Community programmes as an effort to improve teacher professionalism. As of today, Lesson Study is one of the tools in the Professional Learning Community that encourages teachers to collaborate in planning the process of teaching and learning to ensure and maximise the development of student learning. School Improvement specialist coaches from the District Education Office and Institutes of Teacher Education are involved in the implementation of lesson study.

Knowledge of Lesson Study has evolved through attendance at WALS conferences into new knowledge and teaching strategies, especially as we face current educational challenges.

Dr. Zanaton H Iksan: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia