Become the chief of today’s digital natives

Calling Australia’s most innovative teachers to enter the 2007 Microsoft Innovative Teachers Award

Sydney, Australia — 19, July 2007 - Microsoft is calling for all innovative teachers across Australia to submit creative examples of technology in the classroom to enter the 2007 Microsoft Innovative Teachers Award. This Award recognises the outstanding work of educators who integrate technology into curriculum to improve learning outcomes for students.

The Innovative Teachers Award is open to teachers from the public and private sectors. The eight Australian winners will be flown to the Microsoft Asia Pacific Innovative Teachers Forum in Hanoi, Vietnam in April, 2008. There they will compete for the national title and opportunity to represent Australia at the global conference. The conference will allow educators to collaborate with other teachers from the Asia Pacific region and participate in presentations, workshops and hands-on projects. Additionally the teachers will win a trip to attend the 2007 Australian Council for Education Leaders Conference (ACEL) in Sydney during October, 2007.

"With the recent 38 per cent decrease in enrolments for Australian IT university courses, the Innovative Teachers Award is a way for teachers to bridge this gap. Although today’s digital natives demonstrate a passion for technology at home, that interest often lacks an outlet in the traditional classroom," said Ms Felicia Brown, Academic Programs Manager, Microsoft Australia.

"Teachers need training and development to prepare today’s children for 21st century careers. The awards showcase success stories and provide those teachers with a stage to share their learnings across the country," continued Ms Brown.

"I’ve had the enormous privilege of speaking with many recipients of the Microsoft Innovative Teachers award. The key factors for success seem to be the extremely positive response students have to innovative teaching methods and the enthusiasm fostered between teachers when they have a chance to share their ideas, both locally and internationally at the Microsoft conferences," said Ms Brown.

2006 National Winner, Mr Hugh Soord, a teacher from Como Secondary College in Perth said, "Students in this new online era use digital technologies to communicate and learn. It’s important, as educators, that we work with the students and develop the curriculum with their technology needs in mind so they have the skills for their futures."

"Exchange amongst teachers is essential for the success of pioneering programmes. For us, the trip to the Microsoft Innovative Teachers Conference in Cambodia was a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet like-minded educators from the Asia Pacific region. Not too many teachers will have this opportunity. To be able to take this experience back to our schools and share with our fellow teachers is a rare privilege,"said Mr Soord.

The Innovative Teachers Award is an initiative under Microsoft Australia’s Partners in Learning programme, which has committed $10 million over five years. Partners in Learning, in partnership with State governments, aims to increase Information and Communications Technology skills in teachers and improve educational outcomes for Australian students. Through a series of programmes, key investments, software and training, Microsoft seeks to reward outstanding teachers, as well as provide professional development to teachers who act as technology and educational change agents at their schools.

"We will be promoting the centre's facilities to Microsoft partners, industry clusters and other stakeholders, opening up opportunities for students and helping local business source the next generation of IT professional," said Mr Haehnel.

Professor Jugdutt (Jack) Singh, Director of the University's Centre for Technology Infusion and Professor of Microtechnology/Nanoelectronics, will manage the new La Trobe University Microsoft Centre.

"This is a wonderful development," he said. "It will provide easy access to cutting edge technology to facilitate skill transfer and innovation between industry and academia in a stimulating environment".

"Smaller companies will have access to mentoring by larger companies such as Microsoft, Intel, WACOM, and i-mate, which will give students and researchers exposure to industry in a supportive environment to help develop products for eventual commercialisation."

La Trobe's Centre for Technology Infusion is a University-based research and product realisation facility.

How to Enter
As an innovative teacher, you'll need to explain (using the online submission tool):


Entries close 11:59PM the evening of 31 July, 2007.

A full selection criteria and terms and conditions can be found at: http://www.microsoft.com.au/innovativeteacher

1.)How you've used technology in an exemplary and innovative way to improve student learning outcomes;
2.)Show evidence of outstanding instructional practices; and
3.)Demonstrate how your teaching has engaged and inspired students, colleagues and the wider learning community.

Ends

For further information please contact:
Sarah Treharne
Howorth Communications
Tel: 02 8281 3855 or 0430 016 901,
Email: saraht@howorth.com.au
www.microsoft.com/australia/presspass