Submitted by Megan Rademeyer

On 29 and 30 May 2017, the Education Exchange (E2) Africa Forum bought together almost sixty MIE Experts and representatives of Microsoft Schools for two days of hands-on learning, networking, and trying out some of the latest Microsoft tools at the Microsoft offices in Bryanston. Thirty one Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts who have shown commitment to online learning and networking were invited to attend the Forum, including two MIE Experts from Kenya, one from Rwanda and one from Ghana. Representatives from Microsoft Schools also enjoyed the opportunity to network from with teachers, school leaders and ICT coordinators from other schools to see more ways of using Office 365 enhance teaching and learning.

Highlights of the event included a group work project which involved coming up with a South African problem and then modeling a solution in a Small South Africa Minecraft world. Microsoft Teacher Ambassadors were on hand to guide teachers through using Office Mix and Microsoft Sway to present their group work projects and teachers were encouraged to use Microsoft OneNote as a platform for brainstorming their ideas and keeping their event notes. MIE Experts also enjoyed trying their hand at coding using Microbits – which involved programming a small digital display to flash a message by the end of a session.

Two Group 6 members exploring the wonders of Minecraft

Group 9 members – they won the group work challenge with their project

Stephen Reid from immersive Minds presented a keynote address on Problem Based Learning and introduced teachers to the basics of Minecraft in the context of developing a project. Microsoft’s Worldwide Senior Education Manager, Sonja Delafosse presented an inspirational keynote on #MakeWhatsNext which highlighted some of what Microsoft is doing to encourage girls to get involved in technology. During the Give One- Get One networking session, teachers had an opportunity to share what they are doing to #MakeWhatsNext. The networking and sharing then continued at the Networking Cocktail Function at the Hyde Park Sun.

At the end of the E2 Forum, many delegates crossed the road to Brescia House School to join in their TeachMeet. Some Microsoft School and MIE Experts presented at this session by sharing their classroom hacks, including Freddy Chireka and Brian Slater.

Two of our MIEExperts wrote reflections on this exciting event: Gizelle Simpson from Malmesbury and Margaret Tracy from Hillcrest. 

If you would like to be part on events such as the E2 Africa Forum – be sure to apply to be an MIE Expert before 15 July 2017