A Bloemfontein schoolteacher has walked away with second place in a global competition for educators who find innovative ways of using technology in the classroom to improve teaching and learning.
Sarietjie Musgrave, from Eunice High, received the accolade at Microsoft's Worldwide Innovative Teachers Forum (ITF) in Hong Kong last week. She won second prize in the Innovation in Community category for her Spread the Sunshine project, which saw grade 10 pupils creating technology-based solutions that would make the lives of the disabled easier.
Now in its fourth year, the Worldwide ITF rewards outstanding teachers who incorporate the creative use of technology in their classrooms to transform education, and use innovative learning methods to empower their students and prepare them for the 21st century. More than 250 educators who won their Microsoft national ITF from 64 countries attended this year's finals.
A delighted Musgrave said the project had fundamentally transformed her students. Using information and communication technology, one student developed tools that for the first time enabled a hearing-impaired student to communicate freely with the hearing world.
“Often, teachers are hesitant to adopt technology into their curriculum until they get a chance to experience firsthand the benefits and possibilities for their students,” said Musgrave.
“The award is fantastic, but even more meaningful has been the chance to discuss with my peers around the world how technology has transformed their students' learning environment. This reminds me of why I began teaching - to share my love of learning new things and to change people's lives.”
Dr Garry Falloon, of the University of Waikato in New Zealand, was a judge at the competition. He said the calibre of projects created by teachers this year displayed a vast improvement in the use of learning models and an emphasis on student-centred learning. “There is also a growing trend to create projects focused on environmental and social action as well as on collaboration and activity across countries,” he said.
Reza Bardien, the Education Lead at Microsoft South Africa, believes the forum provides a unique opportunity for teachers from all over the world to share experiences and improve teaching methods with technology in schools.
“The use of computers is no longer confined to the science or IT lab at schools - computers and devices are becoming central to our lives and are shaping how we learn and access information,” he said.
“Computers are not only a dynamic way to deliver interactive educational resources, but also the first line in teaching children fundamental information and communication technology skills that will help them develop and become more competitive when they enter the workforce.”
Pedro Hepp, an advisor on ICT policy to the Ministry of Education in Chile, was another judge. He said teachers were starting to use many of the tools and technologies that students are using in their everyday lives, including MP3 players and cellphones. “It shows that teachers are bridging the digital and information gap by integrating the tools their students like to use for entertainment into the classroom for learning,” he said.
The ITF is part of Microsoft's Partners in Learning programme, the part of the company's Unlimited Potential initiative designed to help increase technology access for schools, foster innovative approaches to education, and provide educators with the tools to manage and implement change.
Since inception in 2003, the programme has reached more than 18 000 education leaders and teachers and engaged over 1.7 million students in South Africa, bringing the benefits of innovation and technology to education. Worldwide, it has reached 123 million teachers and students in 103 countries.
With five years of continued support, Microsoft's ten-year investment in the initiative is almost $500 million worldwide, underscoring the company's commitment to making technology more relevant and accessible for everyone.
More information about the Innovative Teachers Forum is available at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/events/wwteachersforum.
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