The use of ICT and Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) in teaching and learning is considered important to facilitate equal learning opportunities, peer collaboration and promote student learning. However, the adoption and implementation of ICT innovations in schools is by no means developing at the same level across different schools. This may be related to various factors. Among these, school organizational characteristics have become more and more visible when examining the integrated use of ICT in education. In addition, the general cultural values or cultural dimensions have also been studied in explaining the implementation of innovations, such as ICT and CSCL in teaching and learning.

The cultural context influences how teachers teach and how teacher and students communicate and interact in a learning environment (Hannon & D’Netto, 2007). For example, the study of Vatrapu and Suthers (2007) finds that cultural dimensions influences collaborative learning in a computer supported learning environment. The study of Peterson and Warren (1993) points out that openness to change is considered as one of the most essential factors that lead to adoption or implementation of innovations. Organizational culture is closely related to effective innovation (Kanter, 1983). For example, the way in which communication channels are nurtured or discouraged in organizations affects the adoption and implementation of innovations. In addition, other aspects of school culture such as the clarity of team goals, supervisory support from leaders, peer attitude and relations, and an environment where open interactions are supported also play important roles for innovation adoption and implementation (e.g. Amabile et al., 1996).

This research aims to understand the impact of general cultural environment and the school organizational culture on the adoption and implementation of innovations in teaching and learning. More specifically, we examine the innovations in four aspects, the adoption of ICT, collaborative learning, student-centred learning and computer-supported collaborative learning. Two basic research questions are put forth in this study:

RQ1. Is the general cultural environment relevant for the adoption of innovations in teaching and learning, such as adoption of ICT and CSCL?

RQ2. Is the school organizational culture relevant for the adoption of innovations in teaching and learning, such as adoption of ICT and CSCL?

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