13th ASEF Classroom Network Conference #ASEFClassNet13

What is
ASEF ClassNet?

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. The focal point of face-to-face activities is the ASEF ClassNet Conference, which takes place on an annual basis alternating between Asia and Europe. With over 120 teachers, experts, professionals, and business representatives in the field of ICT and education in attendance, the conference acts as a gateway to both the wider ASEF ClassNet membership, and to the plethora of Online Collaborations and school exchanges in which the teachers and their students are engaged.

To-date, more than 1,400 teacher members from 45 ASEM countries have been participating in ASEF ClassNet Online Collaborations. In addition, more than 31,000 students have been engaged in over 359 online collaborations since 2001.

#ASEFClassNet13  

The 13th ASEF ClassNet Conference addressed the theme of “Theory Meets Practice: Teacher Training in the Digital Era” and was organised from 8–10/11 September in Zug, Switzerland by the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), ASEM Education and Research Hub for Lifelong Learning (ASEM LLL Hub) and the Institute for the Management and Economics of Education of the University of Teacher Education Zug.

The 13th ASEF ClassNet Conference was organised in conjunction with the Research Conference by the ASEM Education and Research Hub for Lifelong Learning (ASEM LLL Hub) and the World Education Leadership Symposium. The conference brought together researchers, teacher trainers and teachers to identify actions to respond collaboratively to the needs of teachers in the face of ever-advancing educational technology.

The successful implementation of lifelong learning is dependent on the quality of adult teachers and trainers. Similarly, successfully addressing challenges and opportunities which originate from digitalisation of education requires the professionalisation of adult educators and teachers. By bringing together 2 conferences which link researchers, practitioners and beneficiaries, the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) and ASEM LLL Hub will tackle these interrelated themes. By connecting 3 layers of stakeholders, who all have a role in shaping education systems, this project enhanced the training of teachers so that they are enabled to harness digital technology for the benefit of learners across Asia and Europe.

The 13th ASEF ClassNet Conference achieved the following aims:

• established links between education researchers, adult teachers, trainers and teachers through a ‘theory-practice exchange’ for the benefit of learners
• identified, mapped and analysed competences of adult educators and trainers required for education and training in a digital era across ASEM partner countries
• researched, collated and examined the teacher training requirements identified by teachers in ASEM partner countries
• developed evidence-based policy recommendation on what the ASEM Education Process can offer and implement to strengthen the Adult Educators capacities