Today’s K12 schools serve to the two brand new generations who have been born to a totally new, globalized, digitized world: Generation Z and Alpha.

Schools are now places where digital natives -who are able to virtually travel the world and access massive amounts of information easily- are to commute to and spend time every day. The question is “Are the schools ready to keep up with these new generations?”

Generation Z refers to the generation that was born between 1997-2012 and has been raised with a natural access to portable digital technology, the internet and social media.

Generation Alpha -born between 2010 and 2025- is the brand new generation that are to mark a new digital age, given how quickly and exponentially technology advances.

Schools are now have the mission and must have the vision to satisfy the needs and expectations of these generations who are technologically competent, pragmatic entrepreneurs, easily distracted, and independent learners -who like doing things the unconventional way. It is crystal-clear that old school teaching approaches that entail the teacher is more active than the students and the only source of information are outdated in the new world of education.

These generations have a great access to all sort of information; and thus, they aren’t interested in simply showing up for class, sitting through a lecture, and taking notes that they’ll memorize for an exam later on. Instead, they expect to be fully engaged and to be a part of the learning process themselves. It is high time for teachers and educators now to evolve from lecturers to facilitators of learning in interactive classrooms designed for personalized learning.

ICET 2023 invites educational experts, educators, trainers, educational policy makers, and community leaders from the national and international community to reflect together on the new approaches on schooling, curriculum development, and professional development to nurture and appeal to Generation Z and Alpha.

ICET 2023 will explore opportunities and perspectives for teacher professional development and educational leadership that will open new horizons and help schools and educators to be well prepared for the challenges this evolution may bring.