The Asian Conference on Education 2018

Dear Colleague, IAFOR and the ACE2018 Organising Committee invite you to submit your abstract to The 10th Asian Conference on Education, to be held in Tokyo, Japan from October 13-15, 2018. Conference Theme – "Surviving and Thriving: Education in Times of Change" In 2017, IAFOR education conferences in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America brought together delegates from around the world to consider the theme of "Educating for Change". The theme was approached from a variety of different perspectives, taking full advantage of the international diversity of the attendees with their myriad experiences. A recurring note throughout the conferences was the reference to the future, be it immediate or longer term, as being uncertain. The natural resilience and optimism of educators was counterbalanced by apprehension; with hope also came fear. In the current period of great global political and economic instability, rising inequality and social unrest, the role of education within society has never been more important, but never more vulnerable. Our conference theme for 2018 references these inherent vulnerabilities in both educational systems and individual students and teachers as well as the necessary resilience needed to not only survive, but also thrive. How do we as teachers, administrators and policymakers adopt and adapt to change outside our control? How do we nurture and encourage positive change through the excitement of the imagination, innovation and creativity? How can technologies be better used to help us teach and students learn? How do we sustain and manage change? How can we react positively to negative change? How can we, our institutions and our students survive and thrive in these times of change? **The Local Context: Asia and Japan Asia is the largest and most politically, culturally and ethnically diverse region in the world, and that diversity is evidenced in the continent's varied education systems and structures; from countries struggling to meet the most basic educational and human security needs, through developing nations experiencing rapid population growth, to advanced economies, and shrinking populations. The region hosts the world's top performers in PISA and TIMMs and some of the most rapidly rising stars in the global university rankings, as well as some of the most under-funded, and under-performing systems in the world. There are many and varied challenges throughout the region that reflect and inform those experienced in other nations throughout this world. Tokyo offers a location from which to consider a number of issues and trends in education, and to be informed by the local context. Japan is a highly developed country economically, known for its ethnic homogeneity and the powerful, central control of the Ministry of Education over curriculum. It balances a conservative nationalism with an enthusiasm on a policy level for globalization, that is not borne out by results; its institutions remain comparatively insular and inward looking. While early childhood education is very well respected internationally, it becomes more steadily test oriented in the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors, and while a strong performer in the STEM subjects, its universities widely under-perform in other areas of global rankings. Like many countries, Japan is unsure how to engage with its neighbours, and does not embrace multiculturalism. A number of factors relating to historical regional concerns, as well as domestic sensitivities have meant Japan has been uncomfortable taking the overt leadership role it might, and some would argue must, in the region. Unlike countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, with young and growing populations, Japan's population is now falling, which presents it with a number of problems, but also an opportunity to use its universities and acquired expertise to help play a more active role in regional educational development. For our tenth annual Asian Conference on Education (ACE) in Tokyo, we are looking to confirm our commitment to providing the most engaging platform for exchanging ideas on education in Asia and beyond by bringing together our largest and most diverse group of scholars, educators, and policymakers to date, to exchange ideas, research and practice from their own backgrounds and contexts, and to draw on and be inspired by the local and international body of delegates from an expected 40+ different national backgrounds, as we come together to consider how we not only survive, but positively thrive, in these uncertain and changing times. Remember to submit early, and save the dates for your diary! We look forward to seeing you in Tokyo in October! – The ACE2018 Organising Committee Dr Tien-Hui Chiang, South Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan Dr Joseph Haldane, The International Academic Forum (IAFOR), Japan Dr Paul Lai, Nagoya University, Japan Dr Tzu-Bin Lin, National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan Dr Yvonne Masters, University of New England, Australia Professor José McClanahan, Creighton University, USA Professor Ted O'Neill, Gakushuin University, Japan Justin Sanders, Osaka University, Japan Dr Zachary Walker, National Institute of Education (NIE), Singapore ---------- ***Key Information Venue & Location: Toshi Center Hotel, Tokyo, Japan Dates: Saturday, October 13, 2018 to Monday, October 15, 2018 Conference Theme: "Surviving and Thriving: Education in Times of Change" Early Bird Abstract Submission Deadline: May 31, 2018* Final Abstract Submission Deadline: July 31, 2018 Registration Deadline for Presenters: August 31, 2018 *Submit early to take advantage of the discounted registration rates. Learn more about our registration options. ---------- ***Call for Papers Conference Theme: Surviving and Thriving: Education in Times of Change The conference theme for ACE is Surviving and Thriving: Education in Times of Change, and the organisers encourage submissions that approach this theme from a variety of perspectives. However, the submission of other topics for consideration is welcome and we also encourage sessions across a variety of interdisciplinary and theoretical perspectives. Submissions are organised into the following thematic streams: Teaching & Learning Learning Experiences, Student Learning & Learner Diversity Teaching Experiences, Pedagogy, Practice & Praxis Assessment Theories & Methodologies Curriculum Design & Development Adult, Lifelong & Distance Learning Education & Difference: Gifted Education, Special Education, Learning Difficulties & Disability Interdisciplinary, Multidisciplinary & Transdisciplinary Education Educational Structures Educational Policy, Leadership, Management & Administration Educational Research, Development & Publishing Professional Training, Development & Concerns in Education Primary & Secondary Education Higher Education Community & Society Education, Sustainability & Society: Social Justice, Development & Political Movements International Education Language & Culture Language Development & Literacy Foreign Languages Education & Applied Linguistics (including ESL/TESL/TEFL) Challenging & Preserving: Culture, Inter/Multiculturalism & Language Psychology, Mind & Brain Mind, Brain & Psychology: Human Emotional & Cognitive Development & Outcomes within Educational Contexts Counselling, Guidance & Adjustment in Education Innovation & Technology Design, Implementation & Assessment of Innovative Technologies in Education Nurturing Creativity & Innovation: New, Innovative & Radical Education Knowledge Creation, Preservation & Access: Curation, Librarianship, Information & Archival Science SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT: ace.iafor.org/call-for-papers/ To find out about registration packages, presentation options, conference events and more, please visit the conference website: ace.iafor.org ------------- ***IAFOR's Grants and Scholarships For information about IAFOR's grants and scholarships for PhD students and early career academics, please visit: ace.iafor.org/grants-and-scholarships/ ------------- ***IAFOR Publishing Opportunities **Peer-Reviewed Journal: IAFOR Journal of Education The IAFOR Journal of Education (ije.iafor.org) is an editorially independent journal associated with IAFOR's conferences on education. The strongest papers from associated Conference Proceedings may be considered for publication after revision and there is an open call for papers for consideration. This Open Access journal, which conforms to the highest academic standards, reflects the interdisciplinary and international nature of our conferences. **Conference Proceedings After having your abstract accepted and presenting your research at the conference, you are encouraged to submit a full paper for inclusion in the official Conference Proceedings. Our Conference Proceedings are Open Access research repositories that act as permanent records of the research generated by IAFOR conferences. Further details are available here: ace.iafor.org/final-paper-submission **THINK THINK (think.iafor.org), The Academic Platform, is IAFOR's online magazine, publishing the latest in interdisciplinary research and ideas from some of the world's foremost academics, many of whom have presented at IAFOR conferences. Content is varied in both subject and form, with everything from full research papers to shorter opinion pieces, interviews and media-themed articles. ------------- Join IAFOR at ACE2018 to: Present to a global audience Have your work published in the Conference Proceedings and considered for peer-reviewed, Open Access journals Hear about the latest interdisciplinary research in Education Participate in a truly international, interdisciplinary and intercultural event Take part in interactive audience sessions Network with international colleagues Please see the registration page for details: ace.iafor.org/registration/ *If you have attended an IAFOR conference within the past year, or belong to an affiliated university or institution, we offer additional discounts in appreciation of your support. Please contact us at ace@iafor.org for details. ------------- ***About IAFOR The International Academic Forum (IAFOR) is a research organisation, conference organiser and publisher dedicated to encouraging interdisciplinary discussion, facilitating intercultural awareness and promoting international exchange, principally through educational exchange and academic research. To learn more about IAFOR, please visit iafor.org