What Are the Key Principles of Lesson Study? A Systematic Review of the Evidence

While there are success stories, the literature on lesson study indicates that the practice has often been implemented outside of Japan in a superficial and ineffective manner. This review attempts to explore the nature of authentic Japanese lesson study and to establish a set of principles that can be used to inform and guide future transfer efforts. The analysis shows that authentic lesson study consists of five main stages, each with its own purpose and principles. Crucially, this paper emphasises that in order to be effective, lesson study must be viewed by its participants as a process of research, the fundamental aim of which is to generate fresh insights into student learning.