Application of the “Teaching Innovation Practice Platform” in English Reading Instruction

Abstract

Since Shanghai started the second phase of the elementary and middle school curriculum reform in 1998, teachers have been encouraged and expected to incorporate new technology to support teaching and learning, both in and out of the classrooms, so that students can get skills such as problem-solving, team-working, and time-management more efficiently. Consequently, in order to improve students' English reading comprehension skills, a brand new online learning platform named “Teaching Innovation Practice Platform” (TIPP) was developed and implemented to enhance English reading instruction at a public middle school in Shanghai in 2010. After several years of implementation, the platform has not only strengthened the interaction and communication between teachers and students but also improved students' learning. In the following sections, the current status of English reading instruction, the online learning platform TIPP and its application, as well as the impact on teaching and learning are described in detail.