10 teachers received awards at Thailand Innovative Teachers Leadership Awards 2016
Bangkok, March 14, 2016 – Microsoft Thailand has recently held Thailand Innovative Teachers Leadership Awards 2016 where 10 teachers were recognized for their outstanding work on new educational approach to integrate technology into teaching and learning.
The Thailand Innovative Teachers Leadership Awards, part of Partners in Learning program, has been running in Thailand for 12 years, and this year attracted 4,800 teachers from schools across Thailand. The initiative was started by Microsoft Corporation in collaboration with partners around the world to build a global network and community of teachers, and help them find new approaches to teaching and learning by using technology to create strong and sustainable education worldwide.
Microsoft, today, released the findings from its inaugural Microsoft Asia EduTech Survey 2016 which polled close to 200 educators in the Asia Pacific region. According to the study, educators acknowledged that technology will continue to play an integral role in improving pedagogy, and 96% of all educators are already influenced by technology when making work-related decisions. Also, 95% of all educators recognize the importance of technology in transforming education and assisting inspiring students. According to the survey, the majority of educators use technology to enhance classroom learning experience, improve efficiency, and better communicate with their students.
“Educators are well aware that technology has the power to transform education and help students grow. Many educators have already leveraged technology to create impressive teaching techniques that will help build various teaching methods in and out of the classroom. To me, educators are like superheroes, who strive to do great things and achieve more by breaking free from traditional teaching ways. They always look for ways to create innovative content and leverage technology for their students’ benefits,” said Somsak Mukdavannakorn, Public Sector Director, Microsoft Thailand.
However, the survey also revealed some of the challenges that educators in Asia Pacific are facing today. Lack of training was cited as the biggest challenge to optimize technology in classrooms (53%). The other challenges include lack of funding (51%) and lack of curriculum integration (46%). These findings reinforce the notion that a holistic approach to education and technology is required for teachers to effectively drive transformation in pedagogy. The top three technology advancements educators hope to see in the future include personalized learning and individualized education (57 %), immersive and fun classrooms (53 %), and implementation of intelligent and automated services to facilitate administration and classroom teaching process (46%).
Thailand Innovative Teachers Leadership Awards 2016 aims to encourage teachers nationwide to use technology to enhance students’ learning experiences in their classroom. Phumiphat Wanaphiphatphong, Phitsanulok Vocational College, Phitsanulok, one of the winners said “In Partners in Learning program, Microsoft introduced new educational tools and showed the teachers how to create online portfolios on Sway, make e-books with PowerPoint, store photo and video content on OneDrive, and many more. This program gave me an opportunity to explore new teaching methods that can be integrated in the classroom. Apart from that, using technology sparks students’ interest and encourages learning. Students also benefit from various programs and use them in daily life to help their families and communities.”
“Technology can help learn new things and nurture creativity among students. For example, if the assignment was to look for information on water, students would use search engine and get excited by new things that they discover by themselves. Later, they would share what they’ve learnt with each other through Word or PowerPoint, while teachers would support and encourage them to analyze the data, which would improve the students’ critical and analytical thinking,” Surangkana Srisawat, Strisrinan School, Nan added.
“However, technology is only a tool, but not the answer, and educational revolution will only happen if educators understand how to efficiently optimize technology to help students develop 21st-century skills, such as creativity, analytics and communication. Microsoft is ready to empower every educator and student to achieve more and enhance Thai education,” Mukdavannakorn concluded.
In July, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will bestow awards on 10 winners of Thailand Innovative Teachers Leadership Awards 2016 at Sala Dusit Talai, Dusit Palace.
10 winners of Thailand Innovative Teachers Leadership Awards 2016
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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.
Established in 1993, Microsoft (Thailand) Limited aims to Make 70 Million Lives Better by enabling Thai people and businesses to realize their full potential through technology that transforms the way people work, play, and communicate. We offer software, services, and devices that deliver new opportunities, greater convenience, and enhanced value to people’s lives. Working with communities and the Thai government, Microsoft and its partners are committed to working closely with organizations and people across Thailand to fully harness the power of technology and innovation.
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