Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the necessity for higher education English teachers to enhance their professional competencies in the context of educational informationization, driven by advancements in information technology such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and big data. Group 1: Professional Competencies Required for English Teachers - Information Technology Application Ability: Teachers must not only use basic IT tools but also integrate various digital resources into the teaching process to enhance educational outcomes [1][2] - Information Technology Teaching Design and Implementation Ability: Teachers should design high-quality teaching activities that connect technology with educational goals, utilizing tools like micro-videos and online collaboration platforms to improve classroom interaction [2][3] - Educational Data Analysis and Evaluation Ability: Teachers need to analyze educational data to assess learning progress and individual student needs, enabling more tailored teaching strategies [3][4] - Cross-Cultural Communication and Digital Interaction Ability: Teachers must guide students in cross-cultural communication, understanding cultural nuances, and using digital media effectively [4][5] - Continuous Learning and Innovative Development Awareness: Teachers should adopt a mindset of lifelong learning and innovation to keep pace with rapidly evolving technologies [5][6] Group 2: Development Pathways for English Teachers - Establishing a Multi-Layered Information Technology Training System: A systematic training framework is essential to help teachers master IT skills and move beyond basic applications to more integrated uses [6][7] - Building a Professional Development Learning Community: Creating a collaborative environment for teachers to share experiences and resources can enhance professional growth [7] - Promoting Deep Integration of Information Technology and English Teaching: Classrooms should serve as practice grounds for integrating technology into teaching processes, enhancing the quality of education [6][7] - Strengthening School-Enterprise Cooperation and Industry-Academia Integration: Collaborations with enterprises can provide teachers with access to cutting-edge resources and practical training opportunities [6][7] - Improving Teacher Professional Development Evaluation and Incentive Mechanisms: A revised evaluation system should focus on the effectiveness and innovation of technology use in teaching, alongside traditional metrics [7]

Group 1 - The 10th "Maker China" Information Technology Application Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition was held in Chengdu, Sichuan, focusing on the importance of data elements in economic development [1][2] - The competition aligns with the national digital economy development strategy, emphasizing cutting-edge technology fields such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things [2] - The event includes unique activities like "supply-demand matchmaking" and "investment and financing matchmaking" to facilitate connections between participating companies and industry stakeholders [2] Group 2 - The competition encourages the display of disruptive innovative technologies as well as practical solutions addressing industry pain points, including big data applications for smart city construction and industrial internet projects [2] - The event aims to enhance the national influence of the competition and lay a solid foundation for collecting high-quality projects [3] - The "Maker China" series serves as a national-level innovation and entrepreneurship platform, providing small and medium-sized enterprises with opportunities to showcase innovations and connect with quality resources [2][3]