Global education leaders discussed new or emerging approaches, methods, and systems in education at the Yidan Prize Conference Series: Europe 2021 in partnership with University of Oxford
28 May 2021, London – The European session of The Yidan Prize Conference Series was hosted by the Yidan Prize Foundation in partnership with University of Oxford’s Department of Education on 28 May. The virtual conference saw leaders in education and researchers from Yidan Prize Foundation, UNESCO, Harvard University, the University of Oxford, Stanford University, Northwestern University, Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) and Fundación Escuela Nueva (FEN) discuss the theme of ‘What is Innovation in Education?’.
With the global learning landscape gradually emerging from the pandemic that disrupted the education of 90% of students worldwide, the conference considered what the longer-term future of education could and should look like.
Scientific approach to improving teaching outcomes
A panel of global education research experts considered the need to root future education innovations in evidence-based research. The panel explored science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and how a scientific approach can improve teaching outcomes. Speakers included:
- Professor Sibel Eruduran, Professor of Science Education, University of Oxford
- Professor Larry Hedges, Yidan Prize for Education Research Laureate 2018; Chairman, Department of Statistics, Northwestern University
- Professor Thomas Kane, Member of the Yidan Council of Luminaries; Walter H. Gale Professor of Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education
- Professor Carl Wieman, Yidan Prize for Education Research Laureate 2020; Professor of Physics and Graduate School of Education and DRC Chair, Stanford University
The panel argued for a need for a new model of learning and teaching for better learning outcomes. Teachers needs to be better supported with the tools needed to develop new and evidenced based teaching practices. The panel also outlined a future in which STEM knowledge accumulation for assessment is replaced with an emphasis on authentic problem-solving more useful to future generations in terms of their ability to solve complex, real world problems.
For more details, visit the Yidan newsroom.
ABOUT YIDAN COUNCIL OF LUMINARIES
In December 2020, the Yidan Prize Foundation launched the Council of Luminaries with 16 of the world’s leading lights in education research and practice. They are researchers, educators, neuroscientists, psychologists, economists, statisticians and innovators – experts from all over the world, working together to build a better world through education.
These are people who have built school systems for marginalized communities from scratch; who have uncovered learning patterns in the brain; who have created digital platforms to open access to degree-level learning. They have improved education for billions of people across the world. And now they are coming together to use their expertise and influence to tackle education’s most pressing problems.
For more information, visit https://yidanprize.org/global-community/council-of-luminaries/
Download the brochure to learn more about the Council of Luminaries.
ABOUT YIDAN PRIZE FOUNDATION
Founded in 2016 by Dr Charles CHEN Yidan, the Yidan Prize Foundation has a mission of creating a better world through education. Through its prize and network of innovators, the Yidan Prize Foundation supports ideas and practices in education – specifically, ones with the power to positively change lives, systems and society.
The Yidan Prize is an inclusive education award that recognizes individuals, or up to three-member teams, who have contributed significantly to education research and development. It consists of two awards, the Yidan Prize for Education Research and the Yidan Prize for Education Development. Yidan Prize Laureates each receive a gold medal. In addition, a total of HK$30 million (around US$3.9 million) of prize funds is awarded to the individual or team (shared equally) from each category, half of which is a cash prize while the other half is project funds.