Microsoft recently hosted nine educators from the UAE and Qatar to join 300 Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) experts and Students’ Ambassadors from around the world at its E2 Global Educator Exchange event in Washington, US.

The educators were selected from among the most innovative in the world to attend the event, and collaborate, create and share experiences with their peers on how to integrate technology in education, in ways that improve learning outcomes and equip students for the world of work, said a statement.

Awarded Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert status last year, four educators from UAE and one from Qatar were selected because of their abilities to employ technology effectively within the classroom in order to help students develop all-important 21st century skills.

The educators also demonstrated excellence in creating and leading transformational learning environments.

The four educators selected from UAE include Shafaque Riaz and Richard Marcus Boniello from Cambridge International School, GEMS, Zoe Tostevin from Deira International School, and Ashraf Ayyad    Selmi Ayyas from Al-Majd Model Shool, Sharjah. The educator selected in Qatar was AbdulGelel Shalaly from Independent Secondary School for Boys.

Meanwhile, in line with the strategic partnership between Microsoft and Mohammed Bin Rashid Smart Learning Program (MBRSLP), four other educators from UAE attended the event for the experience and to gain insights.

Anthony Salcito, vice president, Worldwide Education, Microsoft Corp, said: “Our MIE Experts worldwide are transforming the learning environment in truly pioneering ways, and the E2 Global Educator Exchange event gives them the chance to share these experiences amongst their peers and work together to solve the challenges faced.

“Hosting E2 at our campus in Redmond means we can hear their innovative ideas and bring them back into Microsoft, ensuring that we support this transformation and work together to adapt learning to equip students for tomorrow’s workforce.”

As part of the event, MIE Experts took part in the Global Educator challenge, where they were divided into groups with peers from different parts of the world to design a project around the use of Microsoft technologies within a specific theme of bravery, courage, and leadership.

The event culminated with the Global Educator Challenge awards, which recognised educators who have shown exceptional innovation in their fields and during competitive sessions at E2.

The award for the best achievement under the category “The Pitch” went to two groups that included two UAE educators Zainab Al Baloushi (MBRSLP, UAE) and Zoe Tostevin (Deira International School, UAE).

The event is part of the Microsoft in Education initiative that offers a range of professional development programmes to bridge the gap between technology skills and innovative teaching.

These programmes reach beyond traditional software training to provide a  framework that supports educators and school leaders of all skill levels on their learning journey. - TradeArabia News Service