WALS 2021 International Conference at CityU Macau sees Advanced Research and Practices in Lesson Studies
The World Association of Lesson Studies (WALS) kicked off the 2021 International Conference at the City University of Macau (CityU Macau) yesterday (29). The year edition themed at “Revisiting Lesson and Learning Studies: Accessibility, Quality, and Sustainability” was online and on-site in Macao and Hong Kong. The four-day conference has invited esteemed scholars worldwide in the field of education to share their conference proposals, including best practices on classroom learning in different regions and research findings in classroom learning research.
The opening session welcomed Prof Sean Li, Co-Chairperson of WALS 2021, Executive President of City University of Dongguan (China) and Distinguished Professor of CityU Macau, as the master of the ceremony. Prof Jun Liu, Rector of CityU Macau; Mr Cheang Sek Kit, Head of the Curriculum Development and Assessment Division of Macao SAR Government Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ); Prof Peter Dudley, President of WALS; Ms Po-Yuk Ko, Co-Chairperson of WALS 2021, Professor of the Education University of Hong Kong; were among the guests to deliver the opening address.
In his opening address, Rector Liu said that Second Language Acquisition and Intercultural Communication theories suggested that “Learnability” and “Teachability” determined learning quality. He encouraged teachers to integrate students’ learning styles, motivations, cultural backgrounds, and linguistic backgrounds into teaching plans to help achieve fruitful learning results.
On behalf of DSEDJ, Mr Cheang said WALS 2021 international conference grants teachers opportunities to advance their professions in the field and to innovate classroom teaching and learning interactions. He said Macao SAR Government has set curriculum framework and requirements of basic academic attainments in school, promoting talents cultivation to drive Macao’s social and educational development. Mr Cheang said the Government aims to provide students with a diverse learning experience by balancing teaching and learning activities.
Prof Dudley said that the virtual conference allows people worldwide to take part despite travel restrictions. He said that the conference gathered esteemed scholars to share their insights to facilitate education development, optimise the learning environment and enhance classroom efficiency.
At the opening ceremony, Prof Ko pointed out that the WALS 2021 international conference received over 268 proposals and attracted over 700 participants from 37 countries.
In the parallel symposium, Prof Li Zhengtao of the East China Normal University of China delivered a keynote themed at “Value pursuit and practical approach of classroom teaching reform in China: Basing on the research of New Basic Education’s Exploration”, followed by Prof Ko’s keynote themed at “Learning Study in Hong Kong: Its development, salient features and the way forward”.
The WALS aims to promote and advance the research and practices focused on Lesson Studies to improve the quality of teaching and learning. It provides a platform for research collaboration, mutual assistance and information exchange among its members from over 40 countries worldwide. It includes over 100 thousand educational researchers and teaching professionals committed to improving the quality of learning.
The annual conferences of WALS have been held successfully in the past 14 years in various countries and regions. The association have brought together researchers, school leaders and teachers from different countries to share their experience and practice of lesson studies.
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