ASEF Classroom Network (#ASEFClassNet)

BACKGROUND ON THE ASEF CLASSNET SERIES

Since its establishment in 1998, the ASEF Classroom Network (ASEF ClassNet) project has been providing opportunities for collaborative learning and intercultural exchanges through the use of ICT among secondary, high and vocational schools in ASEM partner countries.

Its activities are both face-to-face and online, and are built on 2 core elements:

(1) ASEF ClassNet Conferences

The ASEF ClassNet Conferences take place on an annual basis alternating between Asia and Europe.  With over 120 school principals, teachers, experts, professionals, and business representatives in the field of ICT and education in attendance, the conference acts as a gateway both to the wider ASEF ClassNet, to new education technology, and to the plethora of online school collaborations and exchanges in which teachers and students from 51 countries are engaged.

(2) School Collaborations

Developed and led by ASEF ClassNet teachers, the School Collaborations bring together teachers and students from across Asia and Europe to explore a mutually significant subject of their choice. Using ICT and teamwork, students and teachers share their knowledge of a subject and, in doing so develop a deeper appreciation of each other’s cultures.

To-date, approximately 1,500 teachers from 46 ASEM partner countries across Asia and Europe have participated in the School Collaborations. In addition, more than 32,000 students have been engaged in 398 Collaborations since 2001.

Key characteristics of ASEF ClassNet:

• Facilitation of intercultural exchanges, learning opportunities and cooperation among secondary, high and vocational schools in ASEM partner countries through online and offline activities
• Online Collaborations across both regions in 6 thematic areas: Culture, Economy, Education, Governance, Public Health and Sustainable Development
• Promotion of the use of education technology within, and digital connectivity between, secondary, high, and vocational schools, through sharing tools, case-studies, and good practices
• Contribution to secondary, vocational and high school education policy dialogue, as part of the ASEM Education Process.

PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS

(1) Enrichment

• Expert talks and panel discussions on the theme of the conference and its relationship with tech education.
  
• Teachers take inspiration from good practices across Asia and Europe, with particular focus on host country case studies.

(2) Development & Training

• Practical workshops and training sessions for actively promoting the theme of the conference in relation to tech education.
• Teachers get tips and feedback from thematic and tech education experts on how to instill the appropriate values and skills in their students.

(3) Showroom & Awards

• Presentations of 6 outstanding ASEF ClassNet Online Collaborations that compete for the annual ASEF ClassNet Awards.
• Participants vote for the most outstanding ASEF Online Collaborations completed during the preceding 12 months.

(4) Networking & New Collaborations

• Working groups to develop ASEF ClassNet Online Collaborations for the next year.
• Asian and European teachers meet, jointly brainstorm and create ASEF ClassNet Online Collaborations.

(5) Contributions by Teachers to the ASEM Education Process

• Analysis and presentation of the results of ASEF ClassNet-wide surveys.
• Participants reflect on the results of surveys on experiences in the classroom and aspirations for the future, and consider how to enhance secondary, high and vocational school tech education across ASEM partner countries.

(6) Study Visit

• From theory to practice: a case study visit of a local school, education institution or an event in correlation with the theme of the conference.
  
• Participants are invited to learn more about the local education environment and to embark on a study tour that showcases the use of novel or good practices in the field of the conference’s theme.

PAST EDITIONS

15th ASEF ClassNet Conference 
“Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and AI: The Role and Readiness of Teachers”
Sophia University, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology – Japan and the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS)
25-29 November 2019, Tokyo, Japan

 

14th ASEF ClassNet Conference
“Gender Equality: Reprogramming STEM Education”
Gymnasiet Lärkan
27-30 November 2018, Helsinki & Espoo, Finland

 

13th ASEF ClassNet Conference
“Theory Meets Practice: Teacher Training in the Digital Era”
ASEM Education and Research Hub for Lifelong Learning (ASEM LLL Hub) & PH Zug
8-11 Sep 2017, Zug, Switzerland

 

12th ASEF ClassNet Conference
”Coding for Education”
32 Secondary Language School “St. Kliment Ohridski”
16-20 Nov 2015, Sofia, Bulgaria

 

11th ASEF ClassNet Conference
”Creative Classrooms Go 4G: Teach Green, Learn Green, Act Green, Live Green”
28 Oct-1 Nov 2013, Bali, Indonesia

 

10th ASEF ClassNet Conference
”Apps in Asian and European Classrooms! Unleashing Educational Creativity”
County Louth Vocational Education Committee
7–11 Nov 2011, Dublin, Ireland

 

9th ASEF ClassNet Conference
”Climate Change and Biodiversity: How They are Connected and the Impact of Biodiversity Loss in the Community in Asia and Europe”
St. Mark’s Senior Secondary Public School, Meera Bagh
12–16 Nov 2010, Gurgaon, NCR of Delhi, India

 

8th ASEF ClassNet Conference
”The Impact of Climate Change and Sustainable Development Within the School Community in Asia and Europe”
Hørup Centralskole & Nyborg Friskole & Herfølge Skole
26–30 October 2009, Sønderborg, Denmark

 

7th ASEF ClassNet Conference
”Achievements, Visibility and Sustainability of the Asia-Europe Classroom Network”
Sabah Science Secondary School & Sabah College & Sanzac National Secondary School
12–16 December 2008, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

 

6th ASEF ClassNet Conference
”Building an Asia-Europe Online Network for Secondary and High Schools”
Gymnasium of Livadia
9–13 October 2006, Kerkini, Serres Prefecture, Greece

 

5th ASEF ClassNet Conference
”New Technologies – A Major Catalyst For Greater Learning?”
Beijing Jingshan School
25–29 September 2005, Beijing, China

 

4th ASEF ClassNet Conference
”Use and Integration of Infocomm Technology on Education: A Pedagogical Vision or Horror?”
Kreisgymnasium Neudstadt
27 September–1 October 2004, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

 

3rd ASEF ClassNet Conference
“Comparative Perspectives on Education and Professional Enrichment”
Madania School
28 Sep–2 October 2003, Bogor, Indonesia

 

2nd ASEF ClassNet Conference
“The Role of Educational Co-operation in the Strengthening the Foundations of the Asia-Europe Partnership in the 21st Century”
National Board of Education & Education Committee of the City of Tampere
11–14 September 2002, Tampere, Finland

 

1st ASEF ClassNet Conference
Raffles Girls’ Secondary School
2-5 September 2001, Singapore