Al-Baydaa For Girls School and Mzeirea School in UAE have been selected by Microsoft as 2014-2015 Microsoft Showcase Schools for its excellence in transforming its learning environment to deliver more personalized education to students, using mobile and cloud technology to better prepare students for success in the workplace.
Al-Baydaa For Girls School in Ras Al Khaimah and Mzeirea School in Ajman join an exclusive community of 120 premier schools from around the world, recognized to celebrate their truly pioneering efforts and innovation in rethinking teaching, learning and assessment in order to drive deep 21st century competencies.
Being selected as a Microsoft Showcase School is an amazing honor and recognition of the passion our teachers and staff have for creating the best learning environments possible, said Mariam Eissa at Al-Baydaa For Girls School.
Sheikha Azza El Neami at Mzeirea School said:
We look forward to sharing our experiences with other schools in our community and the world to continue finding innovative ways to equip our students with the proper tools needed for success inside and outside of the classroom.
As a Showcase School, the two schools will work closely with Microsoft to lead innovation in education and communicate a vision for education enabled by technology through the hosting and mentoring of other schools in the community on transformational educational practices.
Microsoft Showcase Schools are inspiring examples of how schools are using mobile-first, cloud-first technology to increase students’ productivity and develop the skills needed in the workplace, said Ahmed Ameen, Education Lead at Microsoft Gulf. With an innovative use of technology, these schools are transforming learning environments and delivering more personalized education to students, allowing them to do more and achieve more.
Showcase Schools share the belief that a 1:1 learning environment can have profound impact on how young people learn, the ways in which today’s students interact with the world, and the positive outcomes achievable, they embrace cloud-based solutions for the ability to collaborate and communicate across the entire school community at reduced IT costs.
In addition to getting recognized on a global scale, Microsoft Showcase Schools receive a plethora of benefits including recognition, collaboration with an international group of thought leaders, and invitations to the Global Education Forum in Dubai and BETT in London as stellar role models.
Out of a total of 800 Microsoft Innovative Educators (MIE Experts) that were chosen this year globally, UAE is represented by 8 educators who have demonstrated exceptional methods of using innovative learning and the use of technology within their classrooms. Microsoft believes that technology alone cannot build 21st century skills for students without the power of the educators and their impact when they are brought together and recognized for their achievements.
As a result, Microsoft selects innovative educator experts (MIE Experts) every year to be part of this exclusive global community who are paving the way for their peers to share ideas, try new approaches and learn from each other.
Microsoft also provides MIE experts with free Microsoft tools and technology including Office 365 Pro Plus, exclusive professional development opportunities, development of MIE Expert’s personal “brand” and career as a thought leader by participating in case studies, speaking engagements and content development.
MIE experts can also expect invitation to attend the Global Education Forum in Dubai, UAE on 22-24 February, 2015 and eligibility to earn an all-expense paid trip to the Microsoft Educator Global Exchange in Redmond, Washington in April 2015.
The 8 Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts from UAE are:
- Ashraf Ayyad Selmi Ayyash – Al Majd Model School, Sharjah
- Amal Abdullah Alkhatti, Al-Baydaa For Girls School, RAK
- Shaikha Salim, Mzeirea School, Ajman
- Mariam Rashed, Al-Baydaa For Girls School, RAK
- Dua’a Salah, Mzeirea School, Ajman
- Zoe Tostevin, Deira International School
- Shafaque Riaz, Cambridge International School, GEMS
- Richard marcus Boniello, Cambridge International School, GEMS
