Microsoft in Education
Since 2005 SchoolNet has been developing, updating and localising Microsoft Partners in Learning courses, which have been widely used in South Africa and other African countries. To date more than 30 000 South African teachers have experienced one or more of the following courses. These courses are built on sound adult-based learning principles which ensure that participants are learning skills that they will be able to immediately apply to their work. Below is a brief description of each course and a direct link to the courseware:
ICT Skills for Teachers (10 SACE points)
This introductory ICT skills training provides teachers of all levels with initial, intermediate and advanced scenarios that directly relate to their roles as teachers. There are almost 50 scenarios that make use of Microsoft applications and that encourage teachers to:
*Prepare for and manage lessons
*Provide learner access to technology resources
*Manage school activities
*Use Microsoft’s free tools available from: education.microsoft.com
ICT Skills for Principals (10 SACE points)
Like ICT Skills for Teachers, this introductory ICT skills training provides school managers with scenarios that will develop skills to produce artefacts that they can use in undertaking their management duties. The 25 scenarios that build skills using Microsoft Office include:
*Draw up a budget
*Write a report to the Governing Body
*Design a certificate
ICT Integration – One Step Further (10 SACE points)
Teachers are guided through the educational use of Microsoft Encarta and Microsoft One Note in order to develop information skills that they can then use to integrate technology into their teaching. Whilst this course can be applied to teachers of any subject, it includes additional resources for Maths and Science teachers. The purpose of this course is to help teachers integrate ICT by learning how:
*Learners can gather and use information in simple research;
*Teachers can create learning objects that support and enhance learning.
ICT Integration – WebQuests (10 SACE points)
This course introduces teachers to a simple project template for implementing ICT- integrated projects in the classroom. WebQuests are learner-centred and inquiry-based; they promote higher order thinking skills and challenge learners to explore the web for information. In addition to providing a range of WebQuest examples that teachers can explore, adapt and use, this course covers the following modules:
*Introduction to WebQuests
*WebQuests: Analysis and Evaluation
*Creating WebQuests
Peer Coaching (30 SACE points)
Peer coaching is a whole school professional development model that provides coaches and teachers with opportunities to collaborate as peers in exploring ways in which learning can be enhanced with the support of ICT. The goals of Peer Coaching include:
*Peer-to-peer support
*Workplace collaborative learning
*Designing digital learning
*Enhancing lesson plans
*Fostering a whole-school approach to professional development
ICT Leadership for Education Managers (10 SACE points)
This is a programme designed for decision makers so that they can lead the adoption of ICTs. Participants are shown how ICTs can improve administration and become a catalyst for pedagogical change.Modules aimed at assisting managers to design and implement sound ICT policies include:
*What managers can do with ICT
*Management of ICT resources
*Uses of ICT for administration and teaching
*Issues regarding the ICT policy
Help Desk – Deploying Student Technical Support Solutions (10 SACE points)
This programme assists both learners and teachers from schools to solve basic technical problems and to conduct simple network installations. Teachers and potential Help Desk learners cover the following modules during this course:
*Planning your school’s Help Desk
*Understanding Hardware
*Supporting Hardware, Networked Computers and Security Needs
*Performing Maintenance Tasks
Microsoft Partners in Learning: Teaching with Technology (15 SACE points)
The Teaching with Technology curriculum is designed to help educators develop a deeper understanding of how ICT integration can enhance the teaching and learning experience, and enable students to acquire 21st-century skills. This course is offered online through the Microsoft Educator Community, however a face-to-face orientation session is often conducted to introduce the course. Teachers can work though the following modules at their own pace, completing an online assessment at the end of each module:
*Using ICT resources to support your teaching
*How do technology and pedagogy mix
*Use basic ICT tools to support teaching
*Organise and manage the use of ICT for your teaching
Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert Program (20 SACE points)
The Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert process recognises and rewards teachers who are making use of technology to promote teaching and learning in engaging and inspiring ways. As part of this process they share their lesson plans, learn new technologies, train other teachers and network with an international community of teachers. SchoolNet assists Microsoft in administering this program by:
*encouraging teachers to apply to be Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts
*Assessing and shortlisting candidates
*Mentoring and supporting Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts to ensure that they benefit from the program
*Highlighting the successes of Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts through social media and case studies
