Microsoft invites educators around the world to participate in the company's annual two-day Skype-a-Thon, where thousands of school learners will travel some 4.8 million virtual kilometres.
According to the technology giant, the annual Skype-a-Thon aims to take pupils on virtual field trips from their classrooms to all seven continents. They will have an opportunity to explore new places and hear from educational experts, guest speakers and to study side by side with peers from across the globe using IP telephony service provider Skype.
This year the initiative, which connects classrooms in more than 47 countries, will showcase how technology can be used to enhance the learning experience while promoting global citizenship. The event, which started yesterday, will continue throughout tomorrow, says Microsoft.
"This Skype-a-Thon event is a major opportunity for our local educators and students to present their innovative ideas on a global stage and exchange learnings and practices with teachers and education experts from all over the world," says Angela Schaerer, teacher engagement manager at Microsoft SA.
"Innovative solutions play a big part in boosting a country like South Africa's capabilities beyond abundant natural resources and a youthful population. This event will empower teachers to better prepare their students for the workplace or to start their own businesses that will push the country's economy and innovativeness forward," Schaerer adds.
Keshma Patel, a Grade 6 teacher at Micklefield Primary School for Girls in Cape Town, says she uses technology in her class to promote creativity, collaboration and problem solving.
"In order for today's students to become the successful innovators, inventors, entrepreneurs and business leaders of tomorrow, they'll need to be adequately prepared today to employ technology to solve problems and create opportunities for themselves, their future workplace and their communities. This event provides an opportunity to demonstrate the possibilities that technology in the classroom provides on particular topics or subjects in collaboration with other parents, educators and experts around the world," she explains.
The two South African schools participating this year are Roshnee Islamic School (Vereeniging) and Micklefield School (Cape Town). For more information and to register for this year's global Skype-a-Thon, visit Skypeathon.com.
Share