Developments in Research on Vocational Learning: A Perspective from China

Abstract

Research on vocational education and training has a long history in China, and it developed based upon the rapid development of vocational education and training system after the reform and opening-up of People’s Republic of China. Under the relative support policies, research on vocational education and training has formed a comprehensive organization system, project system, and results publication system. Tracking the published papers and books about vocational education since 2000 shows that research on vocational education and training is focusing on nine fields: Development strategy and path of higher vocational education; relations between vocational education and socio-economic development; theories and discipline construction of vocational education; reform and development of rural vocational education; curriculum and teaching reform of vocational education; strengthening school-enterprise cooperation; constructing modern vocational education system; reflection and comment on vocational education policies; ideas and strategies of vocational education in international society, especially in developed countries. On the whole, research on vocational education and training in China manifests distinct policy guidance in research themes, together with the conscientious pursuit of scholars to strengthen discipline construction. Inquiries take literature research as the principal method while tending towards multiple and mixed research methods. Construction of the Chinese mode by referring to international experience is an important field.