Education Exchange celebrates innovation in class

IN the era of globalisation and digitalisation, educators bear huge responsibility to deliver new learning experiences and prepare students for the 21st century. Microsoft education vice-president Anthony Salcito said: “What’s happening in the world of education globally today is that policymakers are under pressure to drive economic growth.

“Educators are heroes who are pushing the boundaries of what is possible to transform learning and making a direct impact on the experiences and lifelong skills of students. Teachers’ innovation and expertise is needed now more than ever today.”

He said this at the annual Microsoft Education Exchange (E2) last week in Singapore where 310 creative educators and school leaders from 91 countries gathered for three days to exchange ideas to develop innovative experiences in class.

“It is not only about technology but it is also about how one stretches one’s role as an educator. If you embrace the reality that technology is all around us, you will also embrace your role as an educator is changing and it is not just about delivering content.

“Technology will not diminish the value of teachers but instead leads to more innovative teaching,” he added.

At the opening keynote address of E2, Microsoft Asia corporate external and legal affairs associate general counsel Antony Cook said there is a need to develop a skillset for the demands of the future and education plays a critical role in this endeavour.

He added: “About 26 per cent of jobs will be outsourced or automated but these will be mitigated

Educators are heroes who are pushing the boundaries of what is possible to transform learning and making a direct impact on the experiences and lifelong skills of students.

Microsoft education vice-president the digital age.

Four teachers from Malaysia were selected out of 100 to attend E2 this year after submitting their applications to become Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Experts. They are Wan Azrina Muhamad Zuki (from SMK Kubang Kerian, Kelantan), Mohamad Haniff Hasan (SK Jasin, Melaka), Khairul Azlan Mohd Faizul (SK Ulu Daro, Sarawak) and Nur Hayati Shahrome (Maktab Rendah Sains MARA Kuala Kubu Baru).

To be a MIE Expert, teachers submit lessons that are new, innovative and engaging before working on their own professional development at Microsoft Education Community.

During the event, the teachers participated in

ANTHONY SALCITO