Microsoft Partners in Learning South African Forum 2012

The Microsoft Partners in Learning South African Forum recognises innovative teachers who are using ICT in engaging ways to promote teaching and learning.

This competition is aimed at teachers who are using technology to enhance learning activities or as part of project based activities. The Forum rewards creative and dynamic teachers with great prizes and provides them with an opportunity to share their ideas with like-minded teachers.

What are the categories?
Prizes will be awarded in the following categories:

Extending Learning Beyond the Classroom – where teachers have taken learning beyond the classroom walls for the greater benefit of the larger community.

Collaboration – where learners have worked together to create a common product or achieve a
common goal.

Knowledge-building and Critical Thinking – where learners are involved in authentic problem solving and have transformed information into original ideas and findings.

Innovation in Challenging Contexts – where teaching happens outside the box despite an environment that would not normally allow for innovative teaching practices.

Cutting edge use of Microsoft Technology for Learning – where technology is used not just for productivity but to achieve learning goals and to acquire skills and knowledge.

What are the prizes?
The best projects overall will represent South Africa at the Middle East Africa Microsoft Partners in Learning Forum which will be taking place in Morocco in July 2012. Winners from this regional forum will then participate in the Global Partners in Learning Forum which will be taking place in Greece.

A range of other prizes from sponsors will also be awarded.

When is the closing date to submit entries?
Midnight on Monday 12 March 2012.

When and where will the finals event be held?
From the online entries received, twenty finalists will be selected to present their projects at the South African Microsoft Partners in Learning Forum. This will take place from 1 – 4 April 2012 as part of the South African Basic Education Conference which will be held at the Durban ICC. Sponsorship to attend this conference will be given to all finalists.

Who is eligible for this competition?
This competition is open to all practicing teachers at government and private schools in South Africa in all phases.
Pre-service teachers who have developed and implemented a lesson that uses ICTs as part of their teaching experience can also enter the competition and may be eligible for a special award.
Teachers who have won a first place award at previous Microsoft Innovative Teachers Forum may not enter the competition again for two years after the year in which they won.

How can I find out more about the competition – or how can I get assistance with my entry?
Teachers can attend a Microsoft Partners in Learning Innovation Workshop or January or February 2012. To find out where the closest workshop to you is please contact Almah at SchoolNet on 011 403 5777 or email almah@schoolnet.org.za

Teachers can join the online Innovation Course which will be run by Fiona Beal from 16 January 2012. This course is designed to offer support to teachers who want to enter the Forum. It will include webinars with previous Forum winners and will also provide guidance for completing your own entry. New content and webinars will be added every week and webinars will be recorded. This means that it is not necessary to join the course at the beginning or to watch every webinar live to benefit.   For more information write to fiona@schoolnet.org.za

To see the courseware or to sign up visit: http://partnersinlearningforum-sa.wikispaces.com/

To view the Microsoft Partners in Learning Innovation Course Materials visit: http://schoolnet.org.za/PILP/innovation_2011/index.htm

How do I enter?
Download the 2012 Innovative Education Forum PowerPoint entry template here.

Complete the entry template following the instructions on the first slide.

Save your completed entry using this convention: surname_name_project title (e.g. Bradfield_Linda_Trash to Treasure).

Join the “South African Microsoft Partners in Learning Forum” on the Partners in Learning Network at http://africa.partnersinlearningnetwork.com/communities/f3a5865473b842f7b690ed9f47217405/Pages/default.aspx

Upload your entry in the “2012 Partners in Learning Forum Submissions” folder  in the Shared Documents section of the community on or before Monday 12 March 2012.

If you have any questions regarding the Microsoft Partners in Learning South African Forum please write to Megan Rademeyer at megan@schoolnet.org.za or call SchoolNet on 011 403 5777