Monday, February 1, 2016

Microsoft retools 50 Nigerian teachers in 21st century digital teaching skills

To meet the demands of the 21st century learning and teaching skills, the software giant, Microsoft at the weekend at its Innovative Educators National Forum held in Lagos at the weekend retooled no fewer than 50 secondary teachers across the nation. The forum was organized by Microsoft to inspire the Nigerian Microsoft Innovative Educators Community and elevate their Skills, while empowering them to act as evangelists for Microsoft’s education solutions nationwide.

Speaking on the Challenges and Problems facing Technology Integration and Professional Development in training teachers to be equipped with new knowledge, a School Principal and a Microsoft Innovative Educator, Yemisi Oredugba said that teachers of this generation are not interested in learning modern techniques of teaching.

According to her, “the teachers of this generation are nonchalant about updating their skills, and this is not due to lack of equipment. You will be amazed that some teachers have laptops but will rather see a movie than update a class score sheet on an excel sheet, which is very sad.” She added, “I implore teachers to embrace the opportunity of being a Microsoft Innovative Educator, so as to improve and upgrade to the teaching techniques to the 21st century.”

Commenting on the forum, and how Microsoft is helping to re-shape the educational system in Nigeria, Director, Education Industry, Microsoft Nigeria, Patrick Onwumere said: “At Microsoft, we help educational institutions meet the evolving needs of education infrastructures by offering cost-effective IT products and technologies that help secure and manage the business of education, in the cloud on premise.”

Meanwhile, the forum which was micture of theory and practice had brought together no fewer than fifty educators from both public and private institutions across the nation. The Microsoft Educator Network is aimed at educators. It teaches them to use effectively utilise technology to develop their students with 21st century skills. It offers educators a chance to renew their skills and create new teaching and learning skills.

Via Vanguard