The "2024 Teacher Professional Development Conference and Results Presentation of the High School Digital Teaching and Learning Promotion and Application Program" was successfully held on November 16 at Conference Room 112, Social Sciences Building, National Chung Hsing University (NCHU). The event was organized by NCHU's College of Law and Politics, Center for Teacher Education, Graduate Institute of Teacher Education, and Education Science Research Center, in collaboration with the Department of Education at National Taichung University of Education, Graduate Institute of Education at National Changhua University of Education, and the Undergraduate Program in Education at National Chi Nan University.
The conference opened with remarks from President Fu-Chih Jan of NCHU and Dean Yuh-May Lin of NCHU's Department of Law. Prof. Tariq Akmal from Washington State University in the United States delivered the keynote speech. The event explored topics such as the theory and foundation of teacher professional ethics, the administration and policies of bilingual and digital education, curriculum and instruction in bilingual and digital education, and counseling and guidance for teachers' psychological issues. Through professional dialogues and exchanges between scholars, experts, and educational partners, the conference sought to address education challenges and enhance teachers' professional competencies.
In the morning, Prof. Tariq Akmal presented a keynote speech titled "Preparing Globally Competent Teachers: Promising Practices and Challenges in Teacher Education," discussing practices and challenges in fostering globally competitive educators. This was followed by a focused forum on the challenges and responses in implementing bilingual and digital education policies, moderated by Liu Tzu-Chang, Director of NCHU's Center for Teacher Education. Panelists included Tsai Meng-Feng, Principal of NCHU Senior High School; Chien Ching-Lang, Principal of NCHU Agricultural and Industrial Vocational High School; and Wu Yu-Chen, Principal of Lugu Junior High School in Nantou. They shared insights on executing bilingual and digital education policies in their schools.
In the afternoon, the conference featured a presentation of digital teaching material results from the "High School Digital Teaching and Learning Promotion and Application Program," supported by the Ministry of Education's Department of Information and Technology Education, and academic paper presentations on education. These sessions allowed experts, scholars, and attendees to reflect on current educational practices and explore future developments through exchanging ideas and research.
During the digital teaching material presentation, teachers from NCHU Senior High School and NCHU Agricultural and Industrial Vocational High School shared their practical experiences implementing digital teaching plans. They discussed the effectiveness and impact of incorporating digital technology into classroom teaching.
Ultimately, the conference aimed to contribute to the professional development of teachers in Taiwan, support the success of ongoing educational reforms, and enhance teachers' professional knowledge.
