Overview
High-quality education is the foundation for success and growth. There are many challenges to that success and growth, including a lack of consistent, effective curriculum content; a shortage of trained, qualified teachers; and a lack of universal access to learning. The combination of quality content, partnerships, training, and broad access—complemented with the most appropriate technology tools to author, distribute, teach, and connect—can transform education. Together with our partners, we are working to find the best solutions and technology tools needed to transform education. You can learn more about some featured programs by watching the videos below:
Through innovative partnerships with governments, educators, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and other industry leaders, Microsoft is providing high-quality, personalized education through dynamic, user-focused resources and technologies that increase access to learning and extend the reach of great teachers. Programs include: Partners in Learning: With our partners, we are able to offer a wide variety of educational resources, including tools, teacher-training programs, and best practices that broaden access to technology and help educators more effectively use technology for teaching and learning. Partners in Learning is currently active in 101 countries and has reached 2.5 million teachers and more than 57 million students across these countries. In addition, through the Partners in Learning program, over 722,000 teachers and students have achieved certification on Microsoft technology. Learn more. Microsoft Student Innovation Suite: A more affordable and reliable software package for governments purchasing and giving Windows®–based PCs to students for personal use at home and for schoolwork. As an extension of Partners in Learning, the suite includes software that provides relevant education tools useful for primary and secondary students. Learn more. Community Technology Skills Program: Community Technology Centers (CTC) provide underserved populations with IT education and skills training around the world. Since 2003, Microsoft has provided cash grants, software donations, and technical support and training to 30,000 community technology centers in more than 100 countries, many of them specifically targeted at work force development. Learn more.  Digital StudyHall: Many volunteers, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and other organizations have contributed their time, talent and resources to create this Digital StudyHall (DSH)—a young research project designed to improve educational opportunities in urban and low income areas. See how DSH will be help play a role in transforming the education landscape. Innovative Teachers Network: This network empowers educators by providing a broad base of online technology tools that nurture leadership skills and support local training efforts. Currently, there are 32 Innovative Teachers Networks worldwide with more than 250,000 teachers participating. Learn more. Microsoft IT Academy: The Microsoft IT Academy is a global learning solution that connects educators, students, and communities. It introduces students to IT and offers a life-long learning model for continuous improvement and career development. Learn more. The Microsoft Imagine Cup: The Imagine Cup is one way Microsoft inspires young people to apply their imagination, passion, and creativity towards technology innovations that can create a better world. The 2007 Imagine Cup brought together more than 100,000 students from 111 countries. Imagine Cup contestants have the chance to give their ideas exposure, gain practical experience and stretch the limits of their imagination in creating solutions that have real-world applicability. The 2008 theme is "Imagine a world where technology enables a sustainable environment." Learn more. Digital Literacy Curriculum: This initiative aims to teach basic computer concepts and skills to people in their native language, introducing new social and economic opportunities for themselves, their families, and their communities. Currently, the program is available in Brazilian Portuguese, Danish, English, Japanese, Latin American Spanish, Polish, and Thai. Learn more. Learning Gateway: With this unique framework, schools can create a customized learning environment that connects administrators, teachers, students, and parents. Learn more. Secondary PCs: We are working to create a pool of high-quality refurbished PCs that can be redeployed to serve the needs of underserved communities. Microsoft has developed a number of secondary PC programs including: Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR) Program, the Community MAR Program, Digital Pipeline, and Fresh Start for Donated Computers. We are working with our partners to build, encourage, and support locally and globally developed solutions so that together we can help transform education and be a part of advancing skilled and empowered people. Here are the some of the results of our partnerships:  Starter editions of Windows: The Starter editions of Windows offers first-time PC users in developing countries affordable and easy-to-use computers with a variety of basic features. Tailored to local markets and available in local languages with customized support, these Starter editions are compatible with a wide range of Windows-based applications and devices. Windows XP Starter Edition is currently available in 24 languages in 139 countries. Windows Vista™ Starter was recently launched and will be available in 72 languages in 140 countries around the world. Local Language Program: At Microsoft, we believe that people and their communities are more likely to benefit from technology when it is available in their native language. We are committed to supporting our software in many languages, helping to ensure that the identity of communities continues to thrive. In addition to the 36 international languages supported in desktop software offerings, we are encouraging growth of the local IT economy and providing software in 61 languages through our Local Language Program. Learn more about the local language program or watch a video about the Local Language Program in effect in Peru. Windows MultiPoint™: Microsoft Research India developed MultiPoint technology that enables collaborative learning in the classroom from a single PC. The multiple mice with unique cursors help shift students from passive to active learning. Learn more. Microsoft Math: Microsoft Math is a collection of tools, tutorials, and instructions designed to help students tackle math and science problems—from prealgebra through calculus—step-by-step. Microsoft Math also includes a full-featured graphing calculator for visualizing solutions to reinforce learning. Learn more.  Education Authoring Tools: This new set of tools will enable publishers to create and assemble vibrant learning content that can adapt to individual learning needs and enhance the role of the PC for education. Learn more. Learning Essentials: Learning Essentials are free, education-specific tools for Microsoft Office applications that help students and educators start, organize, and successfully complete high-quality work. Learning Essentials is available in 15 languages. Learn more. Windows® SteadyState™: Although schools, community centers, libraries, and Internet cafés provide computer access to underserved markets, helping ensure security, privacy, and reliability can be a challenge. Windows SteadyState (formerly the Shared Computer Toolkit for Windows XP) is designed to help PC administrators—regardless of their IT background—consistently keep shared computers running smoothly. SteadyState is an easier alternative to reformatting the PC and is offered free of charge to all Windows Genuine Advantage customers running Windows XP. Learn more.
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