By Emeka Aginam, who was in Cape Town, Town Africa

While  education is the single most important investment in the future of individuals, communities, nations, and the world at large, by the year 3013, about 250 million  teachers and students globally are to benefit from  Partners in Learning, a  10-year  $500 million commitment by Microsoft to transform education systems around the world through technology.

lMr James Bernard

The Worldwide Innovative Education Forum is the signature program of Microsoft Partners in Learning to honor innovative teachers and schools, and to showcase how technology can further educational transformation by being appropriately incorporated into curricula, pedagogy and classrooms.

The program which  has reached more than 196 million teachers and students in 114 countries since inception in 2003 is the signature programme of Microsoft Partners in Learning, to honour innovative teachers and schools, and to showcase how technology can further educational transformation by being appropriately incorporated into curricula and classrooms.

Worldwide Director, Partners in Learning, Microsoft, James Bernard who disclosed this to CyberLIFE at  the just concluded Microsoft Partners in Learning Worldwide Innovative Education programme  held in Cape Town, South Africa said that the programme will assist teachers, school leaders  and students globally on effective ways to use ICT in the classroom environment.

“ The reality is that education, globally, faces a crisis. Governments need help. School leaders need help. Teachers need help. Students need help. Microsoft is committed to IT education globally. Since 2003, we’ve led the way in partnering with teachers, helping more than 8 million teachers and reaching more than 170 million students in 114 countries in our first 7 years alone.

According to Bernard, the program is all about connecting teachers and students, sharing best practices in the 21st century knowledge society,.

Similarly, it would be recalled that the software giant in partnership with Smithsonain Institution and TakingITGlobal have during the Worldwide Innovative Education forum launched  Shout, an  initiative  designed to encourage teachers to use technology to help students explore, connect and act to address some of the world’s most pressing environmental issues, while gaining important skills including collaboration, critical thinking and  social responsibility.

The program, it was learnt,  grew out of a pilot program launched at the Partners in Learning Regional Innovative Education Forum in Singapore earlier this year. Called “DeforestAction,” the pilot connected students across multiple countries including the Philippines, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and Australia.

Already, two schools in Cape Town, South Africa including  St. Cyprians College  and TBD School were among the  first schools in the world that  participated  in this global scientific research project during the just concluded Microsoft Partners in Learning Worldwide Innovative Education program  held in Cape Town, South Africa.

Over the partnership’s three years, Microsoft and its partners, according to Anthony  Salcito, Vice President, Worldwide Education   will make a more than $1 million commitment to engage and empower a global network of millions of teachers and students coming together to address environmental issues affecting land, air and water.

“This partnership is a fantastic way to build connections between teachers and students around the world, and address some of the most critical environmental issues of our time,”  Salcito  told the gathering noting that technology holds the future of students around the world.

“I am excited to see the Shout program expand these opportunities to teachers throughout the world” he added
Beginning in November, according to him, teachers from around the world will find the first “classroom challenge” and will be encouraged to address issues of deforestation in their classroom.

He explained that once a teacher starts a project related to the challenge, they will be able to connect with millions of other educators, find the curriculum and best practices they need to incorporate the environmental education projects into their classrooms, and connect their students to others around the globe.

The power of the project will be unveiled as students use their creativity to help address critical global environmental issues..
Commending the Shout initiative,  Claudine Brown, Director of Education at Smithsonian Institution  further explained that  when students and teachers are connected with one another using technology, cultural and language barriers disappear, and a space can be created for deep, meaningful collaboration that helps drive positive social change.

“We’re pleased to be a part of the Shout partnership and harness the power of technology to connect our vast research and education resources with education leaders.

“Through Shout, we believe teachers and their students can act as driving force for significant, positive contributions to the environment.”  She added.

For the Australian elementary school teacher, Emmanuelle Blake while commending laudable initiative by Microsoft noted that it will prepare the students for the challenges ahead.

“My sixth grade class has not only been learning how palm oil production is directly linked to the destruction of the rain forests in Indonesia and Malaysia, but they have been collaborating with classes around the world to teach other kids, reach out to their community and even petition their governments to stop deforestation,”

“Our kids are learning how they can work together to make a real difference and technology is breaking down borders to help them.”
Similarly, Michael Furdyk, founder of TakingITGlobal who was also excited about the project said that,  “Shout is driven by the concept that students can and should drive their own learning both inside and outside the classroom, with teachers collaborating as guides during classroom time,” adding that,  “Looking at DeforestAction, for example, shows the positive results that can come from this partnership.

“Through efforts like this, students can be leaders in driving positive change and can learn the skills they need to be productive leaders in other industries and organizations” he said.