About 21st Century Learning
our history
The beginnings of 21st Century Learning began as a conference called “21st Century Learning Conference - Hong Kong” as an event run at King George V School (KGV) in May 2008.
Following on from that a core group including Justin Hardman, Hong Kong International School(HKIS), Paul McMahon (Consultant), the ESF Learning Technology Adviser, and Graeme Deuchars, German Swiss International School (GSIS) decided to meet and discuss how the enthusiasm for that conference could be captured and grown for future events.
Eventually HKIS was selected as the location for the second conference in September 2009. During the planning for this conference the logo was developed and the branding around 21CLHK. This event grew significantly to over 430 attendees and from around the region.
Between 2010-2013 the event grew and rotated between host schools and added elements that became hallmarks of the event including Junk Trips, epic socials, rich engagement with sponsors and partners as well as tours of Hong Kong schools and more.
The beginnings of 21st Century Learning began as a conference called “21st Century Learning Conference - Hong Kong” as an event run at King George V School (KGV) in May 2008.
Following on from that a core group including Justin Hardman, Hong Kong International School(HKIS), Paul McMahon (Consultant), the ESF Learning Technology Adviser, and Graeme Deuchars, German Swiss International School (GSIS) decided to meet and discuss how the enthusiasm for that conference could be captured and grown for future events.
Eventually HKIS was selected as the location for the second conference in September 2009. During the planning for this conference the logo was developed and the branding around 21CLHK. This event grew significantly to over 430 attendees and from around the region.
Between 2010-2013 the event grew and rotated between host schools and added elements that became hallmarks of the event including Junk Trips, epic socials, rich engagement with sponsors and partners as well as tours of Hong Kong schools and more.
In 2014 the conference partnered with the Learning and Teaching Expo to run a conference alongside the educational trade show. For two years the conference was run alongside LTE and then in 2016 the event went independent and typically ran sometime between January to March.
Also in 2014 both Justin and Graeme went full time to further develop the conference as well as other services. From 2014 onwards 21CL added new events, both workshops with leading consultants to whole new conferences. In 2015 partnering with a group of PE teachers we launched APPEC (Asia Pacific PE Conference) later to be renamed PHASE. Expanded regionally by partnering with United World College to run reThinking Literacy, reThinking Numeracy and later reThinking Learning. In 2016 the mission statement for the company “Building Communities of Learners” was developed during a team retreat with 21CL advisors and consultants Michael Boll and Dana Watts. Michael and Dana led the four Global Education Leadership Summits in Bangkok that focused on sustainable school innovation. Michael also ran the 21CL podcast network “21CL Radio”
Aside from the conferences 21CL also offered free networking opportunities via adopting the TeachMeet model. Since 2014 21CL has hosted over 150 TeachMeets in Hong Kong, Singapore, Mainland China, Bangkok, Vietnam, Japan and Cambodia.
During the pandemic, 21CL hosted four online conferences bringing together thousands of educators from around the globe.
Alongside the professional learning 21CL also offered consulting services for schools focused on strategic use of technology in education and working with other associates led audits across a variety of the most prestigious brands in South East Asia and China.
In 2014 the conference partnered with the Learning and Teaching Expo to run a conference alongside the educational trade show. For two years the conference was run alongside LTE and then in 2016 the event went independent and typically ran sometime between January to March.
Also in 2014 both Justin and Graeme went full time to further develop the conference as well as other services. From 2014 onwards 21CL added new events, both workshops with leading consultants to whole new conferences. In 2015 partnering with a group of PE teachers we launched APPEC (Asia Pacific PE Conference) later to be renamed PHASE. Expanded regionally by partnering with United World College to run reThinking Literacy, reThinking Numeracy and later reThinking Learning. In 2016 the mission statement for the company “Building Communities of Learners” was developed during a team retreat with 21CL advisors and consultants Michael Boll and Dana Watts. Michael and Dana led the four Global Education Leadership Summits in Bangkok that focused on sustainable school innovation. Michael also ran the 21CL podcast network “21CL Radio”
Aside from the conferences 21CL also offered free networking opportunities via adopting the TeachMeet model. Since 2014 21CL has hosted over 150 TeachMeets in Hong Kong, Singapore, Mainland China, Bangkok, Vietnam, Japan and Cambodia.
During the pandemic, 21CL hosted four online conferences bringing together thousands of educators from around the globe.
Alongside the professional learning 21CL also offered consulting services for schools focused on strategic use of technology in education and working with other associates led audits across a variety of the most prestigious brands in South East Asia and China.
In 2024 Graeme Deuchars retired from 21CL and at the same time Howard Stribbell who had been a long time contributor and advisor came on as an investor and Chief Learning Officer.
In 2024 21CL took responsibility for the OFFSEAS Conference growing it from around 100 attendees to over 260 in one year and in the same year launched a re-envisioned leadership Conference “Lead to Succeed” and finally built a forward thinking AI focused conference “AI and the Future of Education: AIFE.
In 2024 Graeme Deuchars retired from 21CL and at the same time Howard Stribbell who had been a long time contributor and advisor came on as an investor and Chief Learning Officer.
In 2024 21CL took responsibility for the OFFSEAS Conference growing it from around 100 attendees to over 260 in one year and in the same year launched a re-envisioned leadership Conference “Lead to Succeed” and finally built a forward thinking AI focused conference “AI and the Future of Education: AIFE.
Over the last 16 years 21CL has had well over 20,000 educators engage in its events, certifications and consultative offerings. At its core it has remained an educator run organization focused on its core mission of “Building Communities of Learners”
We look forward to continuing our partnerships with schools around the world, global thought leaders and innovative educators to raise the level of teaching and learning everywhere.
Over the last 16 years 21CL has had well over 20,000 educators engage in its events, certifications and consultative offerings. At its core it has remained an educator run organization focused on its core mission of “Building Communities of Learners”
We look forward to continuing our partnerships with schools around the world, global thought leaders and innovative educators to raise the level of teaching and learning everywhere.