A delegation of 40 Microsoft device specialists from around the world met in Malta to see the application of technology in classrooms and to understand better how future technology and devices will have to be shaped to meet students’ needs.

Among their activities the delegates, led by Microsoft’s senior director education devices Chris Brunio, visited Stella Maris College, Gżira, to see how an ongoing pilot project started in 2011 by Smart Technologies and Microsoft, is being adopted in the classrooms. The delegates spoke to the students on what they like in their devices and how they could be improved.

Stella Maris director Bro David Mizzi said: “Through this project, our learning is going beyond technical education. We are learning how to adapt to this new reality of technology in the classroom and learning from each other’s experiences. Having said that, only 30 per cent of the timetable involves the use of one-to-one devices and 70 per cent is dedicated to the traditional learning and writing skills.”

Valerian Muscat, head of computing and ICT at the Secretariat for Catholic Education said: “Choosing Microsoft has allowed teachers and students to work in a familiar environment, with programmes they have grown up with. It has allowed administrators to set child safety parameters like web monitoring and netbook operating hours.”

Microsoft has adopted a more education-oriented business perspective, as when it offered Office 365 to all students in Malta.

Ewan Prezens, academic programme manager at Microsoft Malta, said “through its Partners in Learning programme, Micro­soft operates an online community to support all teachers who need assistance on the use of Microsoft’s educational tools and for all those who want to share their knowledge and experiences with fellow teachers”.

Teachers wishing to find out more about Microsoft’s products and supporting material may visit www.pil-network.com.

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