Sri Lankan educators were given an opportunity to interact with their peers from around the world and experience firsthand how technology can be utilized in successful ways to help students learn better at the recently concluded Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Expert program in Budapest, Hungary.
The teachers from Sri Lanka participated in creating content and utilizing technology in exemplary ways to prepare students for the digital age. Through live interactions with Anthony Salcito, Vice president, Worldwide Education at Microsoft and Stephan Reid, Creative Director for ImmersiveMinds, all participating educators were able to gain a wider perspective on how using technology can help students excel academically and later career wise.
Each year, Microsoft in partnership with the Ministry of Education in each country selects innovators in education to share ideas, try new approaches and learn from each other through a global community dedicated to improving student outcomes through technology.
“At the global forum we were lucky to experience Skype for learning, through a virtual field trip and realized its value for teaching. The new product OneNote was demonstrated engagingly through its amazing tools which would be useful for teaching and learning,” said Nilooshiya Wickeramasinghe, Minuwangete Maha Vidyalaya.
By becoming an MIE Expert, educators are able to build their capacity for using technology in both the classroom and the curriculum, and help improve student learning. Incorporating advice from Microsoft and educational institutions on how to integrate technology in instruction, the program includes conferences, events and trainings for how Microsoft technology can improve learning.
Following the program, educators who participated will now be able to access expertise content from world-renowned educator specialists, Microsoft’s global EduCast Webinar series and access to all Microsoft education tools.
“In Sri Lanka, technology is used infrequently in the classroom and teachers should be empowered with both knowledge and technology in order to successfully use these means. Firstly, awareness programmes need to be carried out more widely amongst the school community. In addition to this the approval and support of the Ministry of Education is a must,” said Nilooshiya Wickeramasinghe, Minuwangete Maha Vidyalaya.
As part of the program, the Sri Lankan teachers were able to test new products that were in beta form, explore professional development opportunities, participate in focus groups and give feedback to development teams on Microsoft products.
“I want to be part of the change in traditional educational systems in Sri Lanka. I want to help take away the monotony and give opportunities to learning and practicing new technology. With advanced Microsoft software students can work on comprehensive projects like studying molecular structures, allowing them to view it in animation mode. Teachers can assign work to students using these software’s and allow flexibility of completion in outside school environments. Through teaching students with these software, the result will eventually have a positive direct affect to the economy of Sri Lanka.” Said Sashi Wijetunga, WP/MIN Marapola Maha Vidyalaya, Naivala, Veyangoda.
With over 3,700 Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts from around the world, 800 of the MIE Experts participated in the school showcasing. Inclusive of all these experience, Sri Lanka will proceed to develop better education for the children of the nation.
