A Systematic Review on the Challenges and Pathways for the Integration of Open Education and Vocational Education in China

Abstract

The integration of open education and vocational education is not merely a pivotal political initiative but also holds substantial theoretical and practical significance. To conduct this research as a systematic review, data were extracted from prominent Chinese databases like CNKI, Wanfang Data, and VIP Information, adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 checklist. This ensured a meticulous and comprehensive analysis of systematic review. Synthesizing and scrutinizing findings from the final selection of 124 articles spanning 2013 to 2023, the research underscored the challenges hindering the fusion of open education and vocational education and some factors to develop pathways for its facilitation. The findings reveal that the ineffective construction and integration of educational resources, differences in components of the education system and inadequate integration management mechanism face significant challenges. Also,research findings indicate that the integration of open education and vocational education in China can occur through proposed critical pathways , such as teachers' development, major and curriculum construction, educational resources, learning outcomes and qualifications, among others. Additionally, these research findings are poised to better provide critical direction for advancing the integration of open education and vocational education in future endeavors.