Friday, July 22, 2011

100 Innovative Educators Attending the Microsoft Innovative Education Forum This Week




Below is a guest post by Rob Bayuk, Microsoft U.S. Partners in Learning Team (aka ). Rob also blogs over at his .

I'm very excited about this event because not only is it an incredible opportunity for some highly creative and brilliant educators to get together and showcase their innovative work, but I GET TO BE A PART OF IT (as one of their judges). Thank you to Rob and Microsoft Partners in Learning for inviting me. I really can't wait!


Beginning Wednesday evening 100 educators from across the country will arrive in Seattle for the Microsoft Partners in Learning 2011 U.S. Innovative Education Forum. The is part of a worldwide program designed to shine a spotlight on some of the world's top educators and provide them the opportunity to collaborate and exhibit innovative tech-infused projects they've done with students. Over the past year educators applied, applications were reviewed and these 100 educators were chosen and represent 25 different states and all K-12 subjects and grade levels. While attending the event educators will also participate in a number of unique professional learning activities.

Ten finalists from the U.S. event will be chosen to represent the United States at the Partners in Learning Global Forum in Washington, DC in November. The global event is expected to attract more than 700 teachers, school leaders, press and education thought leaders from more than 75 countries. 

On the agenda for these teachers over the two day forum hosted on Microsoft's main campus includes their project exhibitions which will be evaluated by a panel of judges, learning excursions to some of Seattle’s best known landmarks such as the Space Needle and Pike Place Market where collaborative teams of educators will create classroom project activities based on their experiences, and hands-on technology workshops using Microsoft’s latest programs for education.

The group will also hear two inspiring keynote speeches by Dr. John Medina, author of the New York Times bestseller Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School and Dr. Jane McGonigal, world-renowned game designer and author of Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World will deliver the closing keynote.

But fret not, both keynote presentations will be streamed live through the page. "Like" the page to watch the streaming and get updates on the event as it happens. We will also stream through our and if you'd like to follow along on Twitter follow me and watch for #msftpil.

If you would like to read a summary of the projects that will be exhibited this week .

Rob Bayuk
Microsoft U.S. Partners in Learning Team
(aka )

4 comments:

said...

Just wanted to thank you publicly for the guest post :) I look forward to seeing you later this week!
Rob

said...

Sounds like a great event, I hope it goes well.

said...

Can't wait to hear your thoughts about Jane McGonigal. Her book is awesome.

said...

HI! Just thought you might enjoy the website http://oureducationvision.com/ it is a place where you can freely comment about what you think education should look like. Feel free to get the word out about this website. Its pretty cool! Thanks!!

Also you should check out what Derek Mcquiston is doing with his program "classroom without walls". They use ipads in their class...Its pretty cool! @classwithoutwal on twitter and classwithoutwalls on flickr to see pictures.