Biography
Lihua Xu is a Senior Lecturer in Science Education. Her research aims to make impact on and improve teaching and learning practices in science and mathematics education. Since 2005 Lihua's research has been dedicated to a research program that explores the complexity of teaching and learning of science and mathematics in classrooms, underpinned by contemporary learning theories such as Distributed Cognition, Variation Theory and Social Semiotics.
Lihua's involvement in large-scale international video studies of classrooms led to some rethinking about the notion "teaching as a cultural practice”. This work also steered into research collaboration in the area of video–based research approaches in education.
Lihua's current research explores innovative ways to facilitate student interdisciplinary learning and improve teacher professional learning in the area of STEM Education.
Read more on Lihua's profileResearch interests
My research interests include:
- Science, mathematics and interdisciplinary STEM education
- Classroom Research
- International Comparative Studies
- Video-based Research Methodologies
- School-based Curriculum Development in STEM
- Teacher Learning, Teacher Education and Professional Development
Units taught
EDX701 Research Design Development and Method
EES245/345 Primary Science Education 1
EES440 Primary Science Education 2
Research groups
Convenor, Video-based Research in Education (VRiE) faculty research group
https://blogs.deakin.edu.au/steme/vrie/
Projects
Externally Funded Projects
The Invergowrie Foundation grant: The Invergowrie STEM Hub (2022-2024)
ARC Discovery Project Grant (DP210101171): Primary teachers' adaptive expertise in interdisciplinary maths and science (2021-24)
ARC Discovery Project (DP180102333): Enriching mathematics and science learning: an interdisciplinary approach
(2018-21)
The Invergowrie Foundation grant: Girls As Leaders in STEM (GALS) (2018-2023)
Skilling the Bay, Department of Education: STEM and Entrepreneurship in primary schools (SEPS) (2019-20)
Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, Maker Projects - Steam B project: STEM and Entrepreneurship in primary schools (SEPS) (2017-18)
Department of Education and Training (DET) Project: Collaborative Teacher Practice - Action Research Project (2016)
ARC Discovery Project The Alignment Project – Valued performances in mathematics and science classrooms in Australia, Finland and China: Interrogating the alignment of curriculum, instruction and assessment (2010-12)
ARC Discovery Project Causal Connenctions in Science Classrooms- An investigation of causal relations between complex classroom practices and science learning using high capacity new research technologies and multiple theory-testing (2008-11)
Publications
R Tytler, V Prain, M Kirk, J Mulligan, C Nielsen, C Speldewinde, P White, L Xu
(2023), Vol. 21, pp. 1153-1175, International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, C1
A pragmatist semiotic analysis of secondary students' embodied and material reasoning in astronomy
Joseph Ferguson, Lihua Xu, Russell Tytler
(2023), pp. 1-24, Research in Science and Technological Education, London, Eng., C1
L Xu
(2022), Vol. 20, pp. 705-726, International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, C1
L Xu, C Mesiti
(2022), pp. 1-14, ZDM - Mathematics Education, Berlin, Germany, C1
Teaching About Electricity in Primary School Multimodality and Variation Theory as Analytical Lenses
C Preston, P Hubber, L Xu
(2022), Vol. 52, pp. 949-973, Research in Science Education, Berlin, Germany, C1
C Karnilowicz Mizuno, L Xu
(2022), pp. 1-16, Journal of Creative Behavior, London, England, C1
Noticing student thinking under pressure in primary mathematics and science lessons
D Jazby, W Widjaja, L Xu, J van Driel
(2022), pp. 1-22, International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, Berlin, Germany, C1
L Xu, S Fang, L Hobbs
(2022), pp. 1-23, International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, Berlin, Germany, C1
Girls in STEM: Addressing SDG 4 in Context
Coral Campbell, Linda Hobbs, Lihua Xu, Jorja McKinnon, Chris Speldewinde
(2022), Vol. 14, pp. 1-17, Sustainability, Basel, Switzerland, C1
Guiding Science and Mathematics Learning when Students Construct Representations
V Prain, L Xu, C Speldewinde
(2022), Research in Science Education, C1
Lihua Xu, Joseph Ferguson, Wanty Widjaja, Wei Luo, Lei Bao, Jianxin Li
(2021), Vol. 2, pp. 220-242, Methodological approaches to STEM education research, Cambridge, Eng., B1
Teacher noticing in science education: do you see what I see?
K Chan, L Xu, R Cooper, A Berry, J van Driel
(2021), Vol. 57, pp. 1-44, Studies in Science Education, C1
L Xu, J Ferguson, R Tytler
(2021), Vol. 19, pp. 1167-1186, International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, C1
J Martin, L Xu, L Seah
(2021), Vol. 51, pp. 187-207, Research in Science Education, C1
L Xu, V Prain, C Speldewinde
(2021), Vol. 43, pp. 844-867, International Journal of Science Education, C1
An interdisciplinary approach to primary school mathematics and science learning
R Tytler, J Mulligan, V Prain, P White, L Xu, M Kirk, C Nielsen, C Speldewinde
(2021), Vol. 43, pp. 1926-1949, International Journal of Science Education, C1
A multi-layered framework for analyzing primary students' multimodal reasoning in science
L Xu, J van Driel, R Healy
(2021), Vol. 11, Education Sciences, C1
Examining primary school teachers' professional noticing through a video-based methodology
Wanty Widjaja, L Xu, Wendy Jobling
(2019), pp. 66-82, Video-based research in education: cross-disciplinary perspectives, Abingdon, Eng., B1
Validity and comparability in cross-cultural video studies of classrooms
L Xu, David Clarke
(2019), pp. 19-33, Video-based research in education: cross-disciplinary perspectives, Abingdon, Eng., B1
Lihua Xu, Coral Campbell, Linda Hobbs
(2019), pp. 139-156, Asia-Pacific STEM teaching practices: from theoretical frameworks to practices, Singapore, B1
Relating Teaching and Learning of Science Through the Lens of Variation Theory
L Xu
(2019), Vol. 63, pp. 145-162, Scandinavian journal of educational research, Abingdon, Eng., C1
Lihua Xu, Wanty Widjaja, Joseph Ferguson
(2019), Vol. 42, pp. 470-484, International journal of research & method in education, London, Eng., C1
L Xu, D Clarke
(2019), Vol. 102, pp. 127-146, Educational studies in mathematics, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, C1
Shelley Hannigan, Anna Kilderry, Lihua Xu
(2018), pp. 1-23, Research handbook on childhoodnature: assemblages of childhood and nature research, Cham, Switzerland, B1
Meta-rules of discursive practice in mathematics classrooms from Seoul, Shanghai and Tokyo
L Xu, David Clarke
(2018), pp. 315-336, Inside the mathematics class: sociological perspectives on participation, inclusion, and enhancement, Cham, Switzerland, B1
S Herbert, L Xu, L Kelly
(2017), Vol. 42, pp. 1-21, Australian Journal of Teacher Education, C1
D Clarke, L Xu, M Wan
(2013), pp. 13-31, Student voice in mathematics classrooms around the world, Rotterdam, Netherlands, B1-1
D Clarke, L Xu, M Wan
(2013), pp. 33-52, Student voice in mathematics classrooms around the world, Rotterdam, Netherlands, B1-1
Meta-rules of discursive practice in mathematics classrooms from Seoul, Shanghai and Tokyo
L Xu, D Clarke
(2013), Vol. 45, pp. 61-72, ZDM : International journal on mathematics education, Heidelberg, Germany, C1-1
D Clarke, L Xu, M Wan
(2013), pp. 201-208, PME 37 : Proceedings of the 37th Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education 2013, Kiel, Germany, E1-1
Discourse patterns employing choral response in mathematics classrooms in seven countries
L Xu, M Wan, D Clarke
(2013), pp. 196-, PME 37 : Proceedings of the 37th Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education 2013 (vol. 5), Kiel, Germany, E1-1
What does distributed cognition tell us about student learning of science?
L Xu, D Clarke
(2012), Vol. 42, pp. 491-510, Research in science education, Dordrecht, Netherlands, C1-1
Student difficulties in learning density: a distributed cognition perspective
L Xu, D Clarke
(2012), Vol. 42, pp. 769-789, Research in science education, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, C1-1
Y Kang, Y Cao, L Xu, D Clarke
(2012), Vol. 8, pp. 62-66, Journal of educational studies, Beijing, China, C1-1
D Clarke, L Wang, L Xu, E Aizikovitsh-Udi, Y Cao
(2012), pp. 171-178, PME 36 : Opportunities to Learn in Mathematics Education : Proceedings of the 36th Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education 2012, Taipei, Taiwan, E1-1
Multi-theoretic approaches to understanding the science classroom
D Clarke, L Xu, J Arnold, L Seah, C Hart, R Tytler, V Prain
(2011), pp. 1-15, ESERA 2011 : Ebook Proceedings Of The ESERA 2011 Conference : Science learning and Citizenship, Lyon, France, E1-1
D Clarke, L Xu, M Wan
(2010), Vol. 2, pp. 3811-3817, Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1-1
D Clarke, L Xu
(2010), pp. 2463-2472, CERME 6 : Proceedings of the Sixth Congress of the European Society for Research in Mathematics Education 2009, Lyon, France, E1-1
L Xu, D Clarke
(2010), EARCOME 5 : Proceedings of the 5th East Asian Regional Conference on Mathematics Education 2010, Tokyo, Japan, E1-1
Qifa Shi teaching: Confucian heuristics
Y Cao, D Clarke, L Xu
(2010), pp. 232-234, PME 34 : Proceedings of 34th conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics 2010 (Vol.1), Belo Horizonte, Brazil, E1-1
The function of spoken mathematics in mathematics classrooms in different cultural settings
L Xu, D Clarke, M Wan
(2010), Vol. 4, pp. 222-225, PME 34 : Proceedings of the Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, E1-1
David Clarke, Lihua Xu
(2008), Vol. 40, pp. 963-972, ZDM = International reviews on mathematical education, Heidelberg, Germany, C1-1
Addressing the challenge of legitimate international comparisons of classroom practice
D Clarke, C Mesiti, C O'Keefe, L Xu, E Jablonka, I Mok, Y Shimizu
(2007), Vol. 46, pp. 280-293, International journal of educational research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1-1
L Xu, D Clarke, C Mitchell
(2007), pp. 1-13, NARST 2007 : Proceedings of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching 2007 Annual Meeting : Restructuring Science Education Through Research, New Orleans, Louisiana, E1-1
Artefacts and distributed cognition: towards a new perspective on science learning
L Xu, D Clarke
(2007), pp. 1-10, NARST 2007 : Proceedings of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching 2007 Annual Meeting : Restructuring Science Education Through Research, New Orleans, Louisiana, E1-1
Kikan-Shido : between desks instruction
Catherine O'Keefe, Lihua Xu, David Clarke
(2006), pp. 15-37, Making connections : mathematics classrooms around the world, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, B1-1
Kikan-Shido: Between Desks Instruction
Catherine O'Keefe, Li Xu, David Clarke
(2006), Vol. 2, pp. 73-105, Making Connections, Leiden, The Netherlands, B1-1
Kikan-Shido: through the lens of guiding student activity
L Xu, C O'Keefe, D Clarke
(2006), Vol. 4, pp. 265-272, PME 30: Proceedings of the 30th Annual Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education : Mathematics at the Centre, Prague, Czech Republic, E1-1
Funded Projects at Deakin
Australian Competitive Grants
Enriching mathematics and science learning: an interdisciplinary approach
Prof Russell Tytler, Prof Joanne Mulligan, Dr Lihua Xu, A/Prof Peta White, A/Prof Leona Schauble, Prof Richard Lehrer
ARC - Discovery Projects
- 2020: $143,869
- 2019: $157,568
- 2018: $154,533
Primary teachers adaptive expertise in interdisciplinary maths and science
Prof Amanda Berry, Prof Colleen Vale, Prof Jan Van Driel, A/Prof Wanty Widjaja, Dr Lihua Xu
ARC - Discovery Projects
- 2023: $34,671
- 2022: $34,333
- 2021: $30,641
Other Public Sector Funding
Primary Mathematics and Science Specialist Professional Learning Program February/March 2015
Dr Gail Chittleborough, Prof Russell Tytler, Prof Coral Campbell, A/Prof Peter Hubber, Dr Lihua Xu, Dr John Cripps Clark, A/Prof Peta White
DETVic Grant - Research - Department of Education and Training Victoria
- 2015: $6,818
Collaborative Teacher Practice ¿ Action Research Project
A/Prof Andrea Gallant, Dr Lihua Xu, Dr Jill Loughlin, Dr Muriel Wells
DETVic Grant - Research - Department of Education and Training Victoria
- 2017: $40,804
- 2016: $89,316
- 2015: $13,601
STEM and Entrepreneurship in Primary Schools
Dr Lihua Xu, A/Prof Linda Hobbs, Prof Coral Campbell
Department of Education & Early Childhood Development
- 2020: $58,549
- 2019: $18,000
Industry and Other Funding
Girls as leaders in STEM (GALS)
A/Prof Linda Hobbs, Prof Coral Campbell, Dr Lihua Xu
The Invergowrie Foundation
- 2022: $9,500
- 2021: $105,000
- 2020: $104,000
- 2019: $100,500
- 2018: $60,000
Invergowrie STEM Hub
Dr Lihua Xu, A/Prof Linda Hobbs, Dr George Aranda, Prof Coral Campbell
The Invergowrie Foundation
- 2023: $256,000
- 2022: $144,000
GALS
A/Prof Linda Hobbs, Dr Lihua Xu, Dr Kerryn Driscoll
The Invergowrie Foundation
- 2023: $157,176
Supervisions
Musa Manning
Thesis entitled: UNIVERSITY LECTURERS¿ LIVED EXPERIENCES OF CRITICAL THINKING IN AUSTRALIA
Doctor of Philosophy (Education), School of Education