Canadian School One of Twelve Worldwide to Participate in Microsoft Innovation Schools Program
York Region District School Board’s Literacy@School program chosen as part of pilot project
MISSISSAUGA, ON – February 1, 2007 - An innovative, “soft-walled” school in the York Region District School Board is one of only 12 schools in the world chosen to participate in Microsoft’s Innovative Schools Program. Literacy@School is a unique education model to integrate technology into classrooms and improve teacher professional development.
Unlike traditional schools, Literacy@School is not housed in one building, but is a community of teachers and students in 20 demonstration classrooms across York Region all connected by high tech tools. In each classroom, a demonstration teacher, literacy teacher and technology teacher will work together to examine how technology can be used as a tool to support literacy and learning. Tools such as laptops, digital cameras, wireless access and streaming technology allow experts to watch lessons being taught promoting collaborative learning and sharing of ideas. Literacy@School engages teachers and students through the use of technology to enhance learning across the Board.
“Microsoft is committed to helping strengthen education by working with educators and policymakers,” said Jacinthe Robichaud, Director, Partners in Learning, Microsoft Canada. “This new program is part of Microsoft’s Partners in Learning initiative to help governments and communities around the world build schools that meet the challenges of 21st century learning. It’s wonderful that Literacy@School will be able to further enhance their program and help students better prepare for life after school.”
Literacy@School was chosen after an intensive review process. The school distinguished itself as a leader in its field with a proven record of innovation and a vision for the future of education and the role of technology can play in it.
Microsoft will provide the innovative schools with strategic planning, best practices, support personnel and technology solutions. Schools were chosen based on their leadership and vision of how students will best learn in the future.
“Being chosen as a Microsoft Innovation School is an incredible opportunity,” said Jim Forbes, Principal, Literacy@School. “The technical support and expertise Microsoft brings is immeasurable and will allow us to develop a model that is sustainable and replicable. Through this school, we are building a community of strong teachers who are learning about the impact of technology on their students and how to integrate this understanding into their instructional practice.”
All schools in the York Region District School Board will participate by learning from and contributing to best practices through the Literacy@School Initiative. The Board will add 20 schools to this initiative in September 2007.
“The vision of a ‘learner-active, technology-infused classroom’ is within reach,” explains Todd Wright, Administrator of Information and Communication Technology and eLearning for YRDSB. “This project will help us move toward making our vision a reality and a model to be replicated.”
The 11 other pilot schools selected to participate in the Worldwide Innovative Schools Program years are located in: Brazil, Chile, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Mexico, Qatar, Sweden and the U.K.
The Innovative Schools Program was developed out of collaborations with Singapore’s BackPack.Net Technology program, the Building Schools for the Future project in the UK, and School of the Future projects in Taiwan and the United States. This includes the recently opened School of the Future in Philadelphia created to improve student achievement through new uses of technology.
The Innovative Schools Program is part of a larger initiative, Partners in Learning. Under Partners in Learning, Microsoft is working with governments, ministries of education, and other key stakeholders in 101 countries around the world to offer a spectrum of education resources including tools, programs and practices. The fundamental premise of this vision is that technology in education can be a powerful catalyst to promote learning and that education changes lives, families, communities, and ultimately nations.
In December 2005, Steve Ballmer, Chief Executive Officer, Microsoft Corporation, announced a $4.5-million commitment to Microsoft Canada’s Partners in Learning and Unlimited Potential programs.
About Microsoft Canada
Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Co. is the Canadian subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ "MSFT") the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. Microsoft Canada provides nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local support services in both French and English. Headquartered in Mississauga, Microsoft Canada has 10 regional offices across the country dedicated to empowering people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. Visit Microsoft Canada's web site at www.microsoft.ca
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