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"Why does ACEC need to create a new international journal related to cybereducation?" "Who are the major target audiences of the journal?" "What is the long-term vision of the journal?"
It is to be expected that people might raise such questions as we launch the Asia-Pacific Cybereducation Journal (APCJ). It is also to be expected that the publisher has answers to these questions!
During the past two years of intensive work reducing the digital divide in the APEC region in collaboration with eight member economies, ACEC has successfully accomplished many of the tasks it has set for itself. Included are, for example, publishing a teachers' Webzine, establishing a Web portal for education policies, operating a community Web-portal system, and conducting International Internet Volunteers programs, international workshops for human capacity building, and networking with APEC Learning Community Builders (ALCoB). Now is the time to launch a journal to collect and refine the knowledge gained from the activities carried out by ACEC and other APEC-related entities. Such a journal can also facilitate cooperative research within the region and disseminate valuable insights from outside the region.
Superficially, some cybereducation projects in APEC seem to be managed by government officials only, and it is easy to ignore the importance of other contributions. But this perception is not the reality. Most of the projects are planned and pursued through collaboration among education policy-makers, academic researchers and practitioners, and/or business partners. Actually, that is the reason why APEC leaders have recommended a strategy of "tripartization"?cooperation among parties in the three sectors of government, academe, and business. APCJ offers another vehicle to enable cooperation among these three sectors.
APCJ must insist on being a free and open journal so that it can plays its role in critical assessment of new ideas and objective evaluation of policies and practices. Only with objective feedback can we accurately assess the strengths and weaknesses of our actions and move forward with confidence.
APCJ intends to play a linking role among the tripartite partners. By sharing experiences and insights we can make all the partners stronger and better able to bridge the digital divide. And to bridge the divide between research and practice¡¦another key element of APCJ's vision.
APCJ is focused on the interplay between policy, practice, and theory. Technology cannot fulfill its potential unless it is used in alignment with sound theory and unless it is supported by wise policy.
"Can we make this vision come true?" Yes, but only with contributions from those who are willing to contribute by telling their stories, listening to others' stories, and supporting the enterprise. Our experience confirms the adage, "Together we can accomplish what we each cannot do by ourselves alone."
Thank you in advance for your support of APCJ.
YoungHwan Kim, PhD Chair, Consortium for APEC Cyber Education Cooperation (ACEC)
President, Institute of APEC Cyber Education (IACE)
Associate Professor, Pusan National University, Pusan, Korea
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