Launch of the 21st century classroom
The ‘21st Century Classroom’ by Microsoft was launched yesterday at St Benedict’s College, Kirkop Middle School, where students experienced a history lesson through the use of virtual reality.
The ‘21st Century Classroom’ project, an investment by Microsoft of around €50,000, will kick off in the next scholastic year and will involve 1,500 students from ten state, church as well as independent schools, giving students the opportunity to experience Microsoft’s latest technologies, namely the use of virtual reality. Following this, the 21st century classroom will be set up at the Microsoft Innovation Centre where more students will have the opportunity to experience it.
Speaking at the event, Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation Silvio Schembri said that the initiative was made possible thanks to the Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier this year between the Government and Microsoft, through which Microsoft’s presence in Malta was strengthened.
“We are looking at the first students in Europe who are using this technology as part of their learning experience, and as a Government we are committed to invest further in innovation and technology—two important factors that are leading to a future generation which is literate in technology. Technological developments wait for no one, hence it is of utmost importance to continue investing in this sector for the benefit of all,” said Silvio Schembri.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Sport and Voluntary Organisations, said that our country is witnessing an educational process that is able to evolve and also reflect the technological realities of the 21st century.
“Such programmes clearly show that we have an educational system which is up to standard taking into account today’s necessities. Thanks to innovation, this government is showing its commitment towards evolving our educational systems,” stressed Clifton Grima.
Kevin Schembri, Senior Accountant Executive at Microsoft, said that the project was possible thanks to constant guidance and assistance provided by the Microsoft Education Transformation Framework, the collaborative effort between St Benedict’s College, the Ministry for Education and Employment and Microsoft, as well as the Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier this year.
“Microsoft’s solutions and technologies are being woven into the teaching process so that these resources can boost and make the teaching and learning experiences more effective,” added Schembri.
Mary Downing, a Microsoft Innovation Centre Business Development Manager, who is overseeing the whole project, added that, “watching this very important educational collaboration coming to fruition is not only rewarding for us at Microsoft, but confirms the very important role that the Malta MIC is having in shaping and supporting Malta’s education sector. One of the aims of Microsoft Innovation Centres is to position themselves as catalysts for ecosystem development when it comes to education.”
Downing added that, “it is more important than ever before to give teachers, educators, and students the technology that can help them self-direct their learning experience a little bit more.”
To date, the Microsoft Innovation Centre in Malta has hosted around 900 workshops and training courses for over 12,000 students, teachers, and professionals. Microsoft’s investment in the MIC over the past four years has totalled over €3 million.