PEP and Microsoft Partner’s in Learning send three Macedonian teachers to Berlin!
For the first time in Macedonia, a Microsoft Innovative Educators’ Forum was held on December 10th to honor teachers who have exhibited the most innovative projects in their classroom. Organized by the USAID Primary Education Project and Microsoft Partners in Learning, the Forum included an awards ceremony for winners of a national competition in three categories: innovation in project content; innovation in collaboration between students and teachers inside and outside the school; and creativity and innovation in using technology in the classroom. 120 teachers and more then 250 students came from all parts of Macedonia to be part of the Forum. The event was attended by the Minister of Education and Science, Nikola Todorov, Director of the USAID Education Office, Alexander Woods, USAID PEP CoP Keith Prenton and the Microsoft PIL director, Ilijanco Gagovski.
“We have seen wonderful examples of projects that merge technology and innovation with the teaching process. They provide students with an opportunity to develop their critical thinking, teamwork and problem-solving skills. These skills will enhance the
students’ capacity to find productive employment and succeed in a knowledge-based global economy,” said Alexander Woods, USAID Education Office Director.
This nation-wide forum is part of a series of Microsoft Innovative Educators’ Forums held worldwide to promote a global professional development community where teachers can collaborate with colleagues from over 100 countries, access quality content developed by their peers, and challenge themselves to take their use of technology to the next level.
The winner in the category innovation in collaboration between students and teachers inside and outside the school was the Secondary School “Gostivar” from Gostivar. The name of the project was “MakNed” and the project leader was Anica Petkovska from Gostivar.
The winner in the ca
tegory innovation in project content was P.S Kiril I Metodij from Tetovo. The name of the project was “Different languages, cultures and nationalities are not reasons not to communicate. The project leader was Satki Ismaili, a teacher from this school.
P.S Blaze Koneski from Veles was the winner in category creativity and innovation in using technology in the classroom. The project led by Maja Rzarova focused on an analysis and comparison of the Veles Educational portal and the Wiki’s.
The competition winners will be invited to represent Macedonia in the European Innovative Educators’ Forum in Berlin in March 2010, with Microsoft financing their costs. The European Forum winners will go on to compete in the Worldwide Forum.
Once the competition in Berlin is over, you will get the chance to see the winning presentations on our web site under the section Toolbox.
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