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1st global education industry summit discusses future learning environment

Xinhua, October 21, 2015 Adjust font size:

High ranking education policy makers and education-related industry leaders were able to sit together in Helsinki in the past two days, trying to find solutions to meet the digital era challenges faced by educators.

The first Global Education Industry Summit was jointly organized by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the European Commission (EC) and the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture.

"We need to challenge our education systems in order to keep up with current social change and expectations to encourage people to learn continuously," said Sanni Grahn-Laasonen, Finland's Minister of Education and Culture.

At a press conference on Tuesday, she mentioned that Finland will introduce a new national curriculum for basic education emphasizing digital skills in August 2016.

The new curriculum is also expected to witness a pioneering reform which will put more emphasis on phenomenon learning which is different than the traditional subject learning.

Commenting on the Finnish practice, Andreas Schleicher, director of the OECD Directorate for Education and Skills, told Xinhua that it is a good example of "how we can overcome the rigidities of the past" and to deal with the challenges in the fast changing world.

Martine Reicherts, Director-General for Education and Culture of the European Commission, said efforts would be done to come forward with "maybe ten or twenty best practices" in the world, although the meeting is yet focusing on sharing experiences for the moment.

Gao Yuhang, First Secretary of Chinese Embassy in Finland, said that it might be the first time that industry leaders are able to discuss with high ranking policy makers so closely on a global platform.

He agreed with the opinions that the industries should play more active role in designing digital pedagogy while the educators could help develop the content, and there is need for the governments to lessen political pressure on industries.

The summit grouped ministers and representatives of 24 countries and international organizations as well as a number of education business leaders. The next summit will take place in Israel in 2016. Endit