Organization of Online Chinese Teaching Activities in Township Primary Schools During the Epidemic: A Case Study Based on Activity Theory

Abstract

Due to the COVID-19 epidemic in early 2020, many primary and secondary schools in China have started online teaching. This study takes a class of grade 4 in a primary school in X Town, Hubei Province as a case study, using the method of non-participatory observation and online interview, combining activity theory to explore the organization of the Chinese online teaching activities. We find three characteristics in it: teacher-centered activities, teaching social reconstruction based on WeChat and Dingding software and enhancement of interaction between parents and students. We also link these three aspects with activity theory to show the current situation of online teaching in township primary schools during the epidemic, in hope to explore the existing problems and reflect on the improvement measures of online teaching.