BY BERYL WAMBANI
Microsoft Corporation, a leading software firm, through the Partners in Learning Program held the Microsoft Innovative teachers education Forum at Makini school yesterday.
The Kenyan vision to integrate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into learning has moved closer with the introduction of a linking of a world leading computer software maker and Kenyan teachers.
The ICT Forum which is the first of its kind being held in the country is aimed at the promotion of ICT integration in teaching and learning in schools, which brought educators from across the country in a bid to change the image of the 8-4-4 education system through ICT. Ministry for Information And Communications Permanent Secretary Mr Bitange Ndemo who was at the launch of the workshop stressed on the need to embrace ICT especially in schools through among other things, the use of search engines and reference materials like google and wikipedia. As opposed to teachers having to provide all educational materials in schools.
The educators at the forum were presenting projects which have been ongoing for close to two months in which the teacher with the winning project will participate in the Microsoft Innovative teachers forum in Jordan from September 4th-6th, 2011.
Microsoft is partnering with Makini school and Aga Khan Academy Mombasa have been identified locally to act as mentor schools in Kenya, having embraced, integrated and are promoting use of technology in providing education.
Makini School boasts of 6 computer labs with over 200 computers to provide the necessary educational content as per their ICT curriculum which covers from pre school to the college level. According to the Director Mr David Okello, ICT is very integral in the provision of education especially in the current global education system to provide a well rounded and competitive student.
"We are taking advantage of the Microsoft Initiative in order to be an ICT hub to cater for our students and the larger community. We hope to launch the Computer Clubs Association for schools which will be open to all schools both private and public to adress ICT challenges," he said.
The Partners in Learning Network is a ten year Microsoft Initiative project with a committment of Kshs500 million globally. It is empowering over 8million educators from 114 countries world wide to creatively use technology to improve learning.
David Muya a teacher from Kisumu Girls School, also attending the workshop, was one of the Worldwide Innovative Education Forum 2010 finalists in Cape Town, South Africa, has been sharing his motivations, experience and learning from Microsoft’s Partners in Learning Program to improve ICT use in education.
"I would like to inform other educators of the Partners in Learning tools which are available free online to all teachers to connect with teachers around the world. This is for networking by sharing lessons and project ideas, gain access to case studies, access new content and curriculum, and to join discussion forums with other educators globally," he said.
The Microsoft also has provided a Learning Suite for the teachers and students which has free tools and content such as Mouse Mischief, AutoCollage, Movie Maker, Microsoft Maths, Song Smith and the Digital Literacy Curriculum for the initiative.
'Raised Urban Farming' was the winning project by George Waweru and Diana Mbesi of Makini School, the second and third places were taken by John Kwaria with' Turning Kibera clean and green' and Fred Ochieng with 'Who wants to be President' respectiely. An award ceremony to honour the winners will be held at the Microsoft Offices locally in a weeks time.
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