7th ASEF Classroom Network

Maintaining a focus on enhancing the future of the ASEF Classroom Network, participants at the conference on 12-16 December 2008 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia considered how best to use new partnerships and networks to improve intercultural understanding and ICT skills among their students.

80 secondary and high school teachers and educators from 63 schools across 24 ASEM partner countries to learn from experts and share their experiences of developing intercultural understanding through the use of ICT in their classrooms

Introductory presentations were given by the Hon. Dato’ Alimuddin Haji Mohd. Dom, Director General of Education, Ministry of Education, Malaysia; and Dr Miao Fengchun, Chief & Programme Specialist, ICT in Education Unit, UNESCO Bangkok Office.

Programme elements included: presentations on the “Use of ICT Tools in Basic Education: Case Studies from Finland and Malaysia”; professional enrichment for teachers relating to “Enlarging the ASEF ClassNet’s Scope: Partnership and School Networks in Asia and Europe, respectively”; and an interactive plenary sessions on “Strengthening the ASEF Classroom Network.” Participants were also treated to a cultural visit to the World Heritage Site of Mount Kinabalu.

During practical working groups, teachers proposed and developed ideas for 31 new Online Collaborations; each of which seeks to facilitate better intercultural understanding and use of ICT in education. 6 of the previous year’s Online Collaborations were presented with ASEF ClassNet Awards in recognition of their outstanding work.