The 15th International Conference of The World Association of Lesson Studies (WALS) was hosted by the City University of Macau and the Education University of Hong Kong from November 29 to December 2, 2021. The theme of the Conference is “Revisiting Lesson and Learning Studies: Accessibility, Quality, and Sustainability".
As affected by the pandemic, the Conference was held in a blended mode (both online and face-to-face). The content with a total of approximately 300 sessions included keynote speeches, practical cases of Lesson Study and Learning Study in various regions and countries, research results, etc.. The Opening Ceremony of the Conference was held in the morning of November 29 at the City University of Macau. It was presided over by Professor Sean Li Shuying (Co-Chairperson of WALS 2021, Executive President of City University of Dongguan (China), and Distinguished Professor of CityU Macau), Professor Jun Liu (Rector of the City University of Macau), Mr Cheang Sek Kit (Head of the Curriculum Development and Assessment Division of Macao SAR Government Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ)), Doctor Peter Dudley (President of World Association of Lesson Study, & Co-Chairperson of WALS2021), and Professor Ko Po Yuk (Director of the Centre for Excellence in Learning & Teaching, and Co-Chairperson of WALS2021), while other scholars attended the Opening Ceremony either online or at the venue of the City University of Macau. Professor Bu Yuhua of the East China Normal University of China, and Professor Ko Po Yuk delivered keynote speeches respectively after the Opening Ceremony which was broadcast live via Zoom, allowing academics and practitioner from different regions to attend in real time.
Professor Ko Po Yuk, Director of the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT), gave a keynote speech on "Learning Study in Hong Kong: Its development, salient features and the way forward". The speech covered a brief historical development of Learning Study in Hong Kong in the past two decades, the similarities and differences between Lesson and Learning Studies, the success conditions for facilitating the professional development of teachers, and the future development of Learning Study. In addition, Professor Ko together with Miss Jannie Tsang, the Project Consultant of CELT, and Miss Harriet Chow, the Vice-Principal of Sam Shui Natives Association Huen King Wing School, presented at a symposium, one of the Global Highlights of the Conference, entitled “Learning Study in Hong Kong: Enhancing sustainability and accessibility of quality Learning Study through cross-school collaboration in a professional community”. It reported on the feasibility of sustainable development of Learning Study in Ho Ngai College (Sponsored by Sik Sik Yuen), and two authentic case studies (one primary and one secondary) of the subject of English Language conducted in the two schools mentioned.
The 15th International Conference of WALS had provided nearly 700 scholars and practitioners from 38 regions and countries a platform for sharing of experiences about how Lesson and Learning Studies have been sustained in different areas of the world.
