On August 20th, as one of the activities of 2024 Global Smart Education Conference, Finals of the 7th Global Competition on Design for Future Education (K12 Track) and the Award Ceremony, was successfully held at Beijing Normal University (BNU). The Competition was co-organized by BNU and UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (IITE), receiving invaluable support from Beijing Design Society and Beijing Design Week Organizing Committee as special support organizations. Since its inception on March 1st, the Competition has garnered the enthusiastic participation of thousands of K12 teachers from home and abroad, resulting in the submission of over 420 outstanding case-studies. The participants focused on the core difficulties and key issues in the field of education and actively explored the infinite possibilities of technology empowering education, contributing invaluable insights to the digitalization and modernization of education. After strict selection by the Judging Committee, a total of 89 case-studies of K12 Track were awarded, including 15 first prizes, 32 second prizes, and 42 third prizes.

Group Photo of Finals of the 7th Global Competition on Design for Future Education (K12 Track)

During the Finals, 20 teachers showcased their case-studies with exceptional brilliance. Guided by educational policies and the latest advancements in educational neuroscience, they proposed innovative educational solutions involving personalized learning, interdisciplinary integration, and cultural heritage inheritance, seamlessly integrating emerging technologies like AIGC and AR. These initiatives have not only significantly enhanced teaching efficiency and quality but also paved more diverse and inclusive learning paths for various student groups, contributing to the advancement of education towards intelligence and equity. Based on the five assessment criteria (problem awareness, innovation spirit, integration of science and education, application prospects, presentation and expression), five judges made professional and detailed comments on the 20 case-studies, including Mr. Shi Jianguo, Executive Deputy Dean of China Educational Equipment Institute; Mr. Wu Fati, Dean of School of Educational Technology, Faculty of Education, BNU; Ms. Zhou Jiaxian, Deputy Director of Center for Educational Neuroscience, East China Normal University; Mr. Ma Tao, Deputy Dean of Beijing Institute of Education Fengtai Branch and Mr. Wang Yunwu, Professor of School of Smart Education, Jiangsu Normal University. Ms. Mao Chengjie, Senior Teacher of Beijing Jingshan School was invited to host the event.

Prof. Zhou Jiaxian gave a high evaluation of the case-studies. She pointed out that the participators had ingeniously integrated the latest achievements of educational neuroscience into various disciplines, achieving a deep integration and breakthrough between cutting-edge theories and teaching practices. The teachers not only have a profound comprehension of the relevant educational policies but also engage in empirical research utilizing scientific methodologies such as randomized controlled trials, thereby promoting the development of education.

Ms. Zhou Jiaxian, Deputy Director of Center for Educational Neuroscience, East China Normal University

Mr. Ma Tao affirmed the keen problem awareness demonstrated by the participators in their case-studies. The teachers skillfully applied advanced educational concepts and methodologies to design teaching activities, thereby effectively advancing the realization of educational goals on nurturing students. He emphasized that excellent designs should precisely address teaching difficulties while aligning with policy directions, to ensure that technology could truly serve the pain points and needs of education, thereby driving the continuous progress and development of future education.

Mr. Ma Tao, Deputy Dean of Beijing Institute of Education Fengtai Branch

Prof. Wang Yunwu pointed out that this event not only demonstrated the active attitude and innovative spirit of the teachers, but also reflected their keen awareness of problems, interpreting the proactive adaptation and embrace of change among K12 teachers in the new era. These case-studies showcased the teachers’ ability to utilize cutting-edge concepts to precisely address educational challenges, not only verifying the feasibility of these concepts but also enhancing comprehension of their connotations, thereby effectively promoting the exploration and proliferation of new educational concepts.

Mr. Wang Yunwu, Professor of School of Smart Education, Jiangsu Normal University

Prof. Wu Fati pointed out that the participators were able to accurately grasp the pain points of education and skillfully integrate the principles of “learning science” into case-study design, making a positive impact on the current educational system. Prof. Wu suggested that participants should fully consider the characteristics of various AI models and the actual situations when using AIGC tools to solve educational problems, in order to avoid potential risks associated with the use of AI and ensure that technology can accurately satisfy human needs.

Mr. Wu Fati, Dean of School of Educational Technology, Faculty of Education, BNU

Mr. Shi Jianguo believed that the participators focused on the genuine educational issues that need to be solved. From analyzing the essence of problems to building framework of prototype, and then iterating and optimizing, they ultimately presented a series of complete and exquisite case-studies. These case-studies accurately aligned with the new curriculum standards, keenly involved the hot topics in education, and ingeniously integrated cutting-edge technologies such as AIGC, achieving a deep integration of technological innovation and teaching practice.

Mr. Shi Jianguo, Executive Deputy Dean of China Educational Equipment Institute

In conclusion, Prof. Chen Guangju, Former Vice President of BNU and Chairman of the Competition Steering Committee, highly praised the participators for their wonderful performance in the case-study design and presentation. The competition has been successfully held for six sessions since 2018, and this year marks the fourth year for the K12 Track, with the addition of enterprise and vocational education tracks. It is worth mentioning that this year’s higher education track established two overseas sub-regions in Central and Eastern Europe and Maldives, which not only promoted the exchange of global smart education but also significantly enhanced the international influence of the Competition. Finally, Prof. Chen expressed his gratitude and aspiration to all the participators, encouraging them to persevere in advancing the spirit of innovation along the journey of future education, and to strive for even greater achievements.

Prof. Chen Guangju, Former Vice President of BNU

During the Award Ceremony, Mr. Shi Jianguo, Chief Expert of the Competition, announced the annual award-winning list for Call for Posters, Call for Videos and K12 Teachers’ Case-study Collection. Mr. Song Weizu, Deputy Director of the Central Cultural Committee of the China Democratic League, Founder of Beijing Design Society and Standing Director of Labor Education Branch, The Chinese Society of Education; along with Mr. Shi Jianguo presented the first and second prizes to the winners in the K12 Track respectively.

Deputy Director Song Weizu presented the first prize to the winners.

Mr. Shi Jianguo presented the second prize to the winners.

The 7th Global Competition on Design for Future Education Award-winning Case-studies of K12 Track

The 7th Global Competition on Design for Future Education｜Annual Award-winning Posters of Call for Posters

The 7th Global Competition on Design for Future Education ｜Annual Award-winning Videos of Call for Videos

Finals of the 7th Global Competition on Design for Future Education (K12 Track) has come to a successful conclusion, and we have witnessed a series of exciting educational innovative achievements. Thank you to all participants for your steadfast support and enthusiastic participation. We look forward to meeting with all the teachers again next year to jointly promote the continuous progress and development of the global education!