Yesterday, Signpost, the ICT group for education, organised an important event for education in Technopolis with Digital Innovation Meets Education. The company, which provides digitisation solutions for schools, invited all secondary education boards in Flanders to reflect on the future of technology in education.
Besides representatives of various education umbrella organisations, Flemish Minister of Education Zuhal Demir was also present. The event started with a visit to the exhibitions and zones of Technopolis, where new technologies have an increasingly important place.
Reflecting on the future of technology in education
Around 400 representatives from the education field were present today at Einstein, the large event hall in Technopolis. On the programme: a visit to the expos and zones in Technopolis, followed by a reception, a seated dinner and a panel discussion on digitisation in education and the challenges it brings.
The panel discussion was moderated by Thomas Vancauwenberghe(EdTech Station). The panel included Bruno Vanobbergen(Director General of Catholic Education), Patrick Hennes(General Director GO! INVENTO GO! Scholengroep), Hamid Riffi(Knowledge Centre Digisprong) andJurgen Loones(Coordinator Independent Dome). Willem Boevakwam also spoke.
That it was an important event for education showed, among other things, the presence of Flemish Education Minister Zuhal Demir. She explained for the first time the spearheads of the new coalition agreement, which paves the way for further digitalisation. She also revealed her vision and policy plans.
New technologies in Technopolis
It is no coincidence that Technopolis was chosen as the venue for the education event. After all, whoever thinks of Technopolis thinks of science and technology, and the future. In addition, the Flemish activity centre is increasingly focusing on new technologies, something that did not go unnoticed by the event organiser.
Yesterday, participants already got a sneak preview of the theme zone on artificial intelligence, which opens on 3 December. In this zone, young people aged 12 and over will be able to test all kinds of applications and be encouraged to engage in critical reflection and debate. The zone will also include workshops, educational material, lectures, etc. A hot topic among teachers and directors and therefore a real added value for the event!
Technopolis recently added more (new) technologies to its offer. Since January there has been the technology expo ON/OFF and since recently primary schools can also go to ‘Frankenstaal robot’, the first show on new technologies, including AI. Just last week, Technopolis organised for the first time the TechFair, the first technology fair especially for third-grade secondary students.
I am very grateful that Technopolis was chosen as the venue for this event, which once again highlighted the importance of digitisation and technology in education. Technopolis also attaches great importance to this. You can see that in our offer, in which technology is given an increasingly important place.
Hosting events is fine. But hosting events that also fit perfectly with our own mission? That is the ultimate!
Ester Blockx
Marketing & Sales Director Technopolis
In order to give as many schoolchildren as possible the chance to come into contact with a whole range of (new) technologies in a fun way, in collaboration with Signpost we gave all attendees a voucher for 50% discount when booking a class visit to Technopolis online.
