Network Meeting 2018, Bolzano

Network 16 – ICT in Education and Training: Minutes of the network meeting
ECER 2018, Bolzano, September 6, 2018

The network meeting was attended by seven participants, including the link convenor (Ed Smeets) and two convenors (Philippe Gabriel and Karl Steffens). The following topics have been addressed during the meeting:

1. ECER 2018
2. Network communication
3. Network funding
4. EERA Journals
5. ECER 2019
6. Any other business

1.    ECER 2018

The link convenor presented some details on the conference, the number of submissions to the network and the reviewing process. The network received 103 submissions, which is higher than in recent years. This includes 90 paper proposals and 7 symposium proposals. The rejection rate was 17%, which is lower than in recent years. This can be seen as an indication of increasing quality of submissions. The network’s rejection rate is still higher than the ECER average of 13%. The network’s continuing mission is to strive for high quality contributions.

The link convenor pointed to the high number of late withdrawals and time restraints this year, as a result of which the programme schedule had to be reworked several times. He pointed out that the draft programme schedule has to be finished by the end of May, so withdrawals and time restraints that are coming in after the end of May require additional work. Apart from that, a proposal that has been accepted has been reviewed by at least two reviewers, so withdrawal of an accepted proposal means that reviewing time has been wasted. Some of those present suspected that the lack of sufficient accommodation in Bolzano had contributed to the withdrawals.

One of the convenors raised the issue of scheduling symposia. He had got the impression that the requirement of scheduling symposia on Friday afternoon had been abandoned. The link convenor pointed out that this is not the case. Because of a two-session joint symposium with network 27 on Friday afternoon this year, the link convenor had decided not to schedule another symposium in parallel. The convenor wondered if EERA preferred regular sessions to symposia, and stated that his symposia attract a substantially larger audience when they are scheduled earlier during the week.

The link convenor pointed to the large number of joint sessions organised this year. Five joint sessions, including two symposia, had been planned with NW24 (Mathematics Education Research), NW27 (Didactics – Learning and Teaching) and NW31 (LEd – Netwok on Language and Education). In addition, the NW16 programme includes a two-part symposium that focuses on the content of the Second Handbook of Information Technology in Primary and Secondary Education. The handbook includes contributions from several colleagues who participate in the network, and will be launched at the conference, after the symposium.

The link convenor announced that the organizers will send a short e-survey to all participants in the conference by the end of the week, in order to gather information about the participants’ impressions.

2.    Network communication

The link convenor pointed to the network’s communication channels. There is a mailing list, which can be accessed via the EERA website, and there is a LinkedIn group. Both channels are moderated by Philippe Gabriel, convenor of the network. Participants are invited to register, if they have not done so before, and to contribute.

3.    Network funding

The link convenor announced there will be another opportunity to apply for network funding. The deadline will be November 1^st. Details will be available soon at the EERA website. Those who are interested are invited to contact the link convenor, because he is expected to support requests. 

4.    EERA Journals

The link convenor pointed to the European Educational Research Journal (EERJ), which welcomes contributions with a European perspective, and he pointed to another journal that will be launched in the near future. That journal will focus on reviews in a European context.

5.    ECER 2019

The link convenor showed the time schedule for next year’s conference, starting in December with the submission of proposals, and invited the network members to contribute again as reviewers and chair persons. He announced that the Pecha Kucha format will be altered because of copyright issues and that the large number of joint sessions is putting the organizers under pressure because the conference tool system is not sufficiently equipped to handle this. The participants in the meeting expressed their desire to maintain the possibility of having as many joint sessions as considered desirable, because the content is more important than the technical limitations.

6.    Any other business

The link convenor thanked the colleagues who had contributed to the network by acting as a reviewer, a chair person, or both, and he thanked all present for attending the meeting.