Next Generation of Teachers

The Next Gen Project has four main objectives, namely to:

• assess and meet the needs of the TEIs in terms of technology integration;
• create a network of TEIs;
• receive, adapt and/or develop the materials needed: an assessment tool, curriculum framework, start-up kit, and training modules meeting the diverse needs of future teachers in the ASP region; and
• consolidate lessons learned to be used as feedback for policymaking and recommendations for institutional change in TEIs.

The Next Gen Project began with a survey to examine to what extent there is provision of information and communication technologies (ICT) training for teachers, specifically in pre-service teacher education, in six countries of the Asia-Pacific region. The survey examined all forms of ICT in use in education, including radio, television, video and computers. Aside from training received by teachers in Teacher Education Institutes, the survey also examined whether distance-education programmes were provided. As a result of the survey, a series of case studies were prepared which provide an overview of the state of affairs in the 10 respective countries with regard to pre-service teacher training in ICT. These case studies are the initial stage of the needs-assessment for the project.

Following the survey, a series of consultative meetings are planned; the first 3-day meeting took place in May 2006 in Bangkok. The result of the survey and meetings will be the design and development of a set of initiatives, approaches, resources and tools for participating TEIs. Ten countries from the Asia-Pacific region will participate; each country will nominate three TEIs to participate.

The Next Gen project will also identify opportunities to link to and build on the achievements made and networks created in the conceptual phase and in other projects. The intention is to make this a “growing partnership” which includes key organisations that are active in the field of professional development of teachers and that are concerned with ICT integration in teacher training.

Technology, Education

The Project aims that "by 2008, all regional Member States will be in a position to offer teachers an education on how and when to best use technologies for teaching and learning, through training which is integrated in all national pre-service teacher training institutions in the Asia-Pacific region. Learners will directly benefit from this new generation of well educated teachers, who will be empowered to use technologies and to facilitate the learners’ active participation in learning, and in the knowledge societies and economies.”