Last Friday was perhaps one of the best days I have had working for Microsoft. We brought 12 award winning teachers from the many projects submitted on the ITN to Microsoft headquarters for the UK Innovative Teachers Forum.  Kristen and I had reviewed all of these teachers' Virtual Classroom Tours before inviting them to the forum, and we had a pretty good idea of who we were going to meet before the event even began.

Meeting these teachers in person re-affirmed a few things for me. First, teaching is still a great and rewarding job (I may even be tempted to return!). Second, teachers are already very successful in engaging children through technology. And being part of an active professional network also contributes to a teacher’s success.

But what of the event, what did these Innovative Teachers get to experience? Thursday night we met at a hotel in Reading and had a wonderful dinner at a nearby restaurant. The evening was a great example of what happens when you get a group of teachers together -- they talk about teaching. Loads of ideas and experiences were exchanged. That set the tone for the next day at Microsoft headquarters. Each teacher presented their VCT to the group, and it became immediately clear that all of their projects were not isolated, classroom activities, but rather all of the teachers are part of wider school transformation projects.

Teachers then participated in an interactive workshop to develop classroom resources using some of Microsoft’s newest free technologies, such as AutoCollage and the Learning Content Developent System (both of which I will be blogging about later).  They also heard a keynote from Guy Shearer, former Innovative Teacher and current Head of Enterprise and Innovation Networks for the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust on innovation in schools, teaching and curriculum. Guy asked some thought provoking questions that not only had an impact on myself and Kristen, but on the teachers themselves. You can see the response of one them, Ollie Bray from Scotland, who has blogged his thoughts and responses. It is well worth a read at www.olliebray.com

At the end of the day, Microsoft’s Director of Education, Steve Beswick, presented awards to all teachers who attended and presented four teachers with invitations to Microsoft’s European Innovative Teachers Forum in Vienna in March. The end of the afternoon culminated with the official presentation, Microsoft’s Director of Education, Steve Beswick, presented awards to all teachers who attended and presented four teachers with invitations to Microsoft’s European Innovative Teachers Forum in Vienna in March.

So who will be joining myself and Kristen in Vienna in March? James Kent from Croseceiliog Comprehensive school in Torfaen, Wales. His VCT about the Asian Tsunami, not only combined some great uses of OneNote and Deep Zoom, but involved his students in designing and creating the lesson objectives for this piece of work. Mandeep Atwal, from  Shirelands Collegiate Academy will be joining us with her VCT called ‘Young Voices’. She has been able to utilise her school’s SharePoint platform to developed web spaces for her students to discuss  cultural awareness and sensitivity within the school and local community. Students are able to share their work with their parents at home.

Chris Henderson from Saltash.net Community School continues the school’s success with his VCT about developing  Interactive Revision resources for his students. Chris used applications such as Photosynth to motivate his students in creating support materials for their exams. Finally Ollie Bray from Musselborough Gammar School will represent Scotland with his VCT that uses the Xbox game Guitar Hero as stimulus and context to create a wide range of successful and imaginative transition projects.

These are four fantastic projects and I am sure they will make an impact at the European Innovative Teachers Forum in Vienna. We’re hopeful that they may even receive further accolades.

A big thanks and congratulations to all the teachers who attended the event; it was pleasure to spend time your company. I would also like to thank all the teachers who submitted a VCT to this event and helped make it the most successful Innovative Teachers event we’ve held in the UK.

Stay tuned for more information in coming posts about the VCTs and technology showcased at the event

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Belfast: February 9th 2009 - To mark Safer Internet Day, which takes place across Europe on the 10th February, 2009, the Police Service of Northern Ireland and Microsoft will be visiting 25 primary schools across Northern Ireland on the 9th and 10th February 2009, to deliver internet safety talks.

Me, Brian Herron of the PSNI and the P7 students from St MacNissi’s PS

Dympna Thornton, the PSNI’s Education Advisor, explains why it is important for young people to be aware of issues associated with Internet usage:

“Lots of young people access the internet under the guidance or supervision of a teacher or parent. This may be to source information to help them complete school projects. As children get older, they may also start to use the Internet to keep in touch with friends through social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace or Bebo. “We want young people to be aware that the information which they share with others may actually be accessed by a wider audience and viewed by people who are not necessarily friends. Following the steps outlined below can help to keep them safe and prevent them from becoming a victim of malicious behaviour, crime or fraud.”

Research published by Microsoft today shows that 27 per cent of teens across the UK have experienced bullying online with 3 out of 10 experiencing it frequently. The survey also found 66% of teens surf the internet without any restrictions from their parents. To mark EU Internet Safety Day which takes place today, Microsoft and the PSNI have issued tips for parents and teens to help create a safer online environment.

The research also found that of those teens that have experienced bullying online, six out of ten experienced it while instant messaging and 44% were bullied on social networking sites. Just over three quarters (73%) of those surveyed have never reported online bullying and half (56%) believe the internet makes it easier to bully.

Peter Russell, Public Sector Director, Microsoft Ireland outlines the industry’s commitment to improving Internet safety:

“The internet is a fantastic resource for finding and sharing information, as well as connecting and communicating with friends and family. However due to its size it can be difficult to regulate and it’s very important that internet users ensure that they take the appropriate measures to protect their online safety, similar to the way in which we all take precautions to prevent our property getting stolen.

“With a view to embedding good internet usage behaviour from an early age, 25 Microsoft volunteers teamed up with the Police Service to deliver a series to presentations to school children across Northern Ireland. The 30 minute presentation provided a number of tips that young people should use when surfing the net, setting up profiles or communicating with others in chat rooms.”

Some tips to help you stay safe when setting up a profile on Facebook, MySpace or Bebo:

• Never use your real name
• Never tell anyone personal things about yourself or your family such as your address, phone number or the name of your school
• Instead of posting a photo of yourself, consider using a picture you like or a photo of your favourite band.
• Don't post photos or videos that you wouldn't be happy for your parents or teacher to see. Once online they can be copied and posted in other places where you can't get rid of them.
• Keep passwords private and don't tell anyone, not even your best friend.

Once you have registered and set up your profile you can start adding friends

• Don't add anyone you don't know, even if they say they know you.
• If someone contacts you with weird or nasty messages, don't reply to them but do save the messages. Tell someone you trust such as a parent as soon as possible and show them what you have been sent.
• When writing a blog, be careful about what you write in it. Don't include too many details about yourself.
• Don't arrange to meet in person someone you have met online. Some people lie online and may not be who they say they are.
• If someone you are unsure of contacts you on a forum, contact the forum administrator.

All the pupils who attended a presentation also received a booklet on gaming called ‘Play Safe, Play Smart’ and ‘Family Safety’ courtesy of Microsoft. Guidelines on internet safety can be viewed online at www.microsoft.com/protect and www.ceop.gov.uk.