Adapting to 21st century learning
LECTURER Lai Zhenyue of the Department of Foundation in Engineering and Science, Faculty of Engineering and Science of Curtin University, Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) represented the university at the EduTech Asia 2017 held from Nov 8-10 at Suntec Convention Centre, Singapore.
The conference saw nearly 3,000 educators from across Asia gathering to evaluate and plan the future of learning, and to keep up-to-date with global trends and innovations in education.
The conference consisted of eight tracks of dedicated and curated content: K12 Leaders, Tertiary Leaders, IT Leaders, Special Needs, Early Years, Educational Policy, Vocational and Business Leaders.
It also included keynote presentations, panel discussions, roundtable discussions, collaborative EduSlams, technology showcases, exhibitions and hands-on workshops.
The conference kicked off with a live-streamed keynote address by Tony Wagner of the Harvard University Innovation Lab and author of the book Creating Innovators.
Lai commented that educators need to be kept up-to-date on teaching methods for 21st century learners.
“It is important to prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s workplace,” she said.
“Not only will they need to be technology savvy, but on a more fundamental level, they will need to be adaptable, resilient and independent.”
Lai, who hails from Singapore, is a winner of Curtin University’s Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning.
Her research interests include educational technologies, blended learning and engagement of learners.
She added that the conference was an excellent platform for educators from around the region to network, discuss ideas and issues.
Lai said she brought back a wealth of ideas on integrating technology with teaching pedagogies for the enhancement of student learning at Curtin Malaysia.
Curtin Malaysia is the largest international campus and global hub in Asia of Curtin University, a university recognised as being in the top 1% of universities worldwide in the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2017.
It was also the first foreign branch campus to be established in Sarawak in 1999 in partnership with the state government.
Curtin Malaysia offers degree, diploma and postgraduate courses identical to those offered at Curtin’s main campus, as well as courses at the pre-university level that feed directly into its undergraduate programmes.
In accordance with Curtin’s reputation for excellence, academic staff are recruited internationally and are of the highest calibre.
Currently, Curtin Malaysia has close to 5,000 students from more than 50 countries and staff from over 20 nations studying and working in an international and cross-cultural environment.
In 2010, Curtin Malaysia was granted self-accreditation status by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency, which also awarded the campus a Tier Five (Excellent) rating in its 2009, 2011 and 2013 Setara rating for institutions of higher learning.
It is important to prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s workplace.
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