New Microsoft-ITE partnership framework boosts capability-building efforts in move towards one-to-one learning

 |   Singapore News Center

SINGAPORE, November 10, 2014 – Microsoft Singapore and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) today inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), outlining a new partnership framework to boost ITE’s capability-building efforts in the move towards one-to-one learning across its three colleges. Signed by Mr Bruce Poh, Director and CEO of ITE, and Ms Stephanie Hung, Senior Public Sector Director, Microsoft Singapore, at the ITE Central College, the MOU cements the long-standing partnership between ITE and Microsoft Singapore, and marks the first partnership framework to impact over 20,000 ITE students and 1,500 staff members across three colleges.

One-to-one learning at ITE will focus on enabling each student access to an intuitive touch-based Windows learning device and cloud-based software, transforming the learning experience with the latest technology tools and extending learning beyond the classroom environment. The move also encompasses providing professional development opportunities to ITE educators, leveraging Microsoft’s network of 12 million professional educators worldwide for the collaborative discovery of innovative pedagogical approaches to enhance teaching and learning.

Beginning early 2015, the pilot one-to-one learning programme will be test-driven by a pioneer batch of more than 1,000 students across four courses, paving the way for the complete technological transformation of vocational training experiences for ITE students.

“IT is the enabling technology of the 21st century. ITE’s partnership with Microsoft has enabled us to re-look at our teaching and learning, focusing on students’ critical thinking and problem- solving skills; communication; creativity and innovation; information and media literacy. ITE will continue to engage industry leaders and partners to equip our students with work-ready, world- ready skills,” said Mr Bruce Poh.

“At Microsoft, we believe that technology has the opportunity to empower youth. We do this by providing tools and resources to support Singapore educators in developing essential skills to help our youths maximise their potential and be workforce-ready. Besides providing Microsoft’s technological expertise, we are more importantly involving our ecosystem of local and international partners, leveraging partner and platform innovations to support talent development. Microsoft-led industry linkages will enable ITE students to gain relevant industry experiences through internship and attachment opportunities. With ITE educators, we are providing professional development opportunities by connecting them with a community of professional educators worldwide,” said Ms Jessica Tan, Managing Director, Microsoft Singapore.

Under the new framework, Microsoft and ITE will center their efforts on leveraging Microsoft’s Partners in Learning Programme, educational technology tools and partner ecosystem to enhance teaching and learning opportunities through three key development pillars – Staff Professional Development, Student Empowerment and Innovation Initiatives.

The partnership framework also supports recommendations by the Applied Study in Polytechnics and ITE Review (ASPIRE) committee to enhance industry linkages for the provision of work- relevant training to students as well as enable the pursuit of innovation activities by students to help them realise their full potential and aspirations.

Under the Staff Professional Development pillar, Microsoft will provide over 1,500 ITE educators with access to the Microsoft Educator Network, enabling them to partner with a community of over 12 million professional educators worldwide for the collaborative discovery of innovative pedagogical approaches to teaching and learning. IT skills training and workshops such as Windows in the Classroom also enable ITE educators to learn how to effectively integrate technological tools such as Windows and OneNote in teaching scenarios to improve student engagement and learning outcomes. Additionally, technology updates by Microsoft will further enable ITE educators to leverage the latest education applications and tools such as the HeuX – an interactive e-learning platform and Spectrum – a multi-platform application featuring bite- sized learning activities, to facilitate anytime, anywhere learning.

Under the Student Empowerment pillar, Microsoft is collaborating with its Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) partners in enabling better access to the latest intuitive touch-based Windows learning devices. Through the Student Advantage Programme, ITE students and staff can also gain access to the latest Microsoft Office 365 Pro Plus in support of the move towards enabling one-to-one learning. Furthermore, Microsoft’s Shape the Future Programme promotes technology accessibility and inclusivity through public-private partnerships that enable universal digital access. With official one-to-one learning implementation slated for 2015, students can look forward to technology-transformed learning experiences, as well as innovative learning approaches beyond the classroom environment.

In terms of work-relevant training, ITE students can leverage the Microsoft Student Partners Programme to access IT-related internship opportunities at Microsoft. The Microsoft Student Partners Programme also enables students to be part of a technology-loving community that enjoys the creative exchange of ideas to hone of their craft in technology-related disciplines, and free access to software design and development tools via DreamSpark. Furthermore, Microsoft’s partnership with international education partners allows the college to offer globally-recognised certification for IT-related disciplines, as well offer unique overseas internship opportunities to ITE students.

Yan Zheng Hao, a second-year Games Development Design student at ITE College Central, is the first ITE student to be part of the Microsoft Student Partners Programme. “Since joining the Microsoft Student Partners Programme after completing my GCE O-Levels in 2012, I’ve enjoyed meeting with the community of like-minded technology-loving people, sharing ideas on creating apps and exchanging tips on how to fully leverage Microsoft technology tools for app development. I’ve also had the opportunity to work on projects such as the conversion of the Spectrum education app from Windows Phone platform to Windows 8, gaining work-ready application development and presentation skills in the process which I personally value the most,” said Zheng Hao.

Under the final Innovation Initiatives pillar, Microsoft has worked on specific innovation initiatives with individual colleges, including the setting up of the iLAB at ITE Central College. iLAB is set up as a technology-enabling creative learning space for educators and students to explore creative teaching and learning approaches through the use of technology. As part of that, Microsoft has provided 42 Surface devices that will allow for a touch experience that aids the experimentation and discovery of innovative pedagogical approaches to maximize the potential of educational technology.

Microsoft is also partnering with ITE College East to enable cybercrime knowledge sharing between Microsoft’s Digital Crime Unit and ITE educators and students. Additionally, applications development initiatives between Microsoft and ITE will facilitate the creation of technology-loving communities for creative application development.

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About ITE
The Institute of Technical Education (ITE), Singapore, was established as a post-secondary education institution in 1992 under the Ministry of Education. ITE is a principal provider of career and technical education and key developer of national occupational skills certification and standards to enhance Singapore’s workforce competitiveness. Under its “One ITE System, Three Colleges” Model of Education and Governance, ITE has three Colleges, comprising ITE College Central, ITE College East and ITE College West. For more information, visit: www.ite.edu.sg.

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services, devices and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

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