The first US-China Smart Education Conference was successfully held at Beijing Normal University from January 14 to 16, 2016. Co-organized by Beijing Normal University and the New Media Consortium (NMC) of the United States and hosted by the Smart Learning Institute of Beijing Normal University, the conference brought together over 200 participants, including education department leaders, leading international scholars, frontline educators, and industry representatives from both countries. The event aimed to establish an interactive international platform for in-depth discussions on the future development of smart education.

During the conference, the 2016 NMC Technology Outlook for Chinese K-12 Education: A Horizon Project Regional Report was officially released. This significant achievement resulted from the collaboration between the Smart Learning Institute of Beijing Normal University and the NMC, marking the first NMC report specifically focused on China. It integrated the insights of more than 60 education experts, school teachers, and industry representatives, offering a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and trends in the application of educational technology in China.

Experts from Harvard University, the University of North Texas, and other renowned Chinese universities engaged in deep discussions on cutting-edge topics such as deep learning, smart learning environments, and educational robotics. Additionally, representatives from over 20 primary and secondary schools in China and the U.S. shared exemplary cases of “Ten Technology-Supported Innovative Teaching Models,” including “Design-Based Learning” and “Flipped Teaching.” The conference not only showcased the latest research advances in smart education globally but also served as a transformative and pioneering event that bridged theory and practice to guide future educational innovation.