Microsoft and Education in Ireland (N+S)

I’ve heard from several NI Teachers that they aren’t able to download and look at the past examples of the NI and RoI winning Virtual Classroom Tours (VCTs). This is because the SkyDrive folders are blocked on the C2k network. I should have thought of this when I sent out the emails and announcements. There are several ways around this.

The simplest and best way is to do this from home or a non-C2k connection. This way you can download  to your hearts content without having to deal with the security blocks the C2k network is required to implement.

A 2nd solution is the NI Innovative Teachers Network (NI ITN) site. After you have followed my instructions from the post on Nov. 30th, you need to join the ITF Berlin 2010 Community and all of the VCTs and required documents are there. A bit of advice when downloading a VCT. Because of their size and the site being a worldwide portal, it can at times be confusing and somewhat slow. My recommendation would be :

· Bring up the dropdown list

· Then go to “Send-Download a Copy” and save it to your computer

Hopefully this will make it a lot quicker and allow you to look at the past entries whenever you’d like to.

The last way to see a wide variety of VCTs, is to register on the Partners in Learning Network site (using the same Live ID and Password you used for NI ITN) and see them there. The winners from Brazil are all highlighted on my blog post from the 9th of November

The  NI ITN site will be migrating over to the Partners in Learning Network site in 2010 and by using the same Live ID and Password, it will make you registration and migration seamless. Or at least that’s the plan

I though you would like to see the work we’re doing with Action MS in NI. This is our 3rd year supporting this programme.

PRESS RELEASE Tuesday 24 November 2009 :

Multiple sclerosis can be an isolating condition for a variety of reasons - severe fatigue, speech difficulties or mobility constraints. Sometimes this can result in people staying at home or only getting out when support is available.

Thanks to the Action MS Digital Inclusion Programme new worlds are opening up online - including social networking, chat rooms and internet shopping.

Sandra Humes, Action MS Professional Care Advisor paid tribute to the generosity and hard work of all the Digital Inclusion business partners:

“Bombardier Aerospace, BT Ireland, Microsoft and Business in the Community have each helped Action MS put together a state-of-the-art package. The laptops are fitted with new Microsoft software packages and BT Broadband connections. BT Volunteers are providing training to the clients in their own homes. The Action MS Digital Inclusion Programme ensures that those living with multiple sclerosis have access to new possibilities both through the Microsoft packages and online.”

Sandra went on to say:

“With Phases 1 and 2 successfully completed over 30 people living in the Greater Belfast area have already benefited from this service. Now the Action MS Digital Inclusion Programme is moving to the Southern Board Area as it rolls out across the Province.”

Tom Jackson, Microsoft Education Programme Manager NI said:

“Microsoft Ireland is delighted to partner with Action MS and Phase 3 of their Action MS Digital Inclusion Programme. As past participation has shown, giving sufferers of Multiple Sclerosis access to ICT and the internet can be a life changing experience. Reconnecting with society, the ability to be more self-reliant and gaining access to training and employment opportunities is fundamental in enhancing self-worth and personal esteem. This is a programme Microsoft believe makes a real difference and we are proud to be invited to participate.”

Sandra Humes (Action MS PM), Tom Jackson (Microsoft), Elizabeth Farquhar (Programme Participant)

Action MS Executive Director Jayne Smyth is responsible for the charity’s social care programme. Jayne said:

“The Action MS Digital Inclusion Programme is a life-changing service. It makes a real difference which is wonderful to see, for all those involved in delivering this Programme, but most importantly for the client with multiple sclerosis. Already the Action MS Digital Inclusion Programme has helped people who felt socially isolated by their multiple sclerosis explore new business opportunities and social networking sites. One client spoke of her great sense of achievement at learning how to use a computer, she has made many new friends online and is adept at both email and online shopping. Through the Programme she has gained new confidence and really enjoys connecting with people.”

Jayne went on to say:

“A special Thank You to our business partners, Bombardier Aerospace, BT Ireland and Microsoft who have moved heaven and earth to help us deliver Phase 3. Thanks also to Business in the Community for helping Action MS to make those connections.

“These companies have demonstrated that they take their corporate social responsibility seriously and I would like thank them, on behalf of all our clients, for making a positive difference and changing lives.”

Action MS invites anyone who is living with MS, their families or carers to contact Jayne Smyth, Executive Director, who would be delighted to help. Telephone (028) 907 907 07 or visit the Action MS website www.actionms.co.uk, for more information.

Notes to Editors:

Multiple Sclerosis is most likely to be diagnosed amongst women in their 20’s and 30’s. Northern Ireland has the second highest rate of multiple sclerosis in the world. Almost 4,000 people have multiple sclerosis in Northern Ireland.

For further information please contact Heather Lundy at Action MS on Tel: (028) 907 907 07 or email: Heathers@actionms.co.uk

WE Innovative Teachers Forum Awards

The Microsoft Western Europe Innovative Teachers Forum Awards that takes place annually with the this year’s competition taking place in Berlin, Germany in March 22nd – 25th 2010

In Northern Ireland the 2010 Innovative Teachers Forum Awards will be held in partnership with the Stranmillis University College, the Regional Training Unit (RTU), Classroom 2000 (C2k), UUJ and the Centre for Excellence in Leadership, Innovation and Learning (CELIL)

Are you using ICT in an innovative way to enhance teaching and learning?

Are you using technology in a way that is new and exciting for your school?

Special consideration given for projects focused on:

· Student Community Collaboration

· Solving environmental issues (Global/Regional/Local)

· Student self directed learning

· Cross Border curriculum collaboration

Innovative Teachers Prize

The winning Teacher(s) submission will win:

· Round trip flights from Belfast/Dublin to Berlin, Germany

· 5 nights accommodation

· The opportunity to represent their school and Northern Ireland at the annual WE Innovative Teachers Forum Awards.

What is an innovation?

Teaching and learning is innovative if it is new and ground breaking in the context of the institution where it is being applied. What this means is that even if a school has only had computers for a short space of time, if teachers are doing something exciting with them, then they are being innovative. Other schools may have had technology for a long time, but their teachers are innovative if they continue to come up with new ways to enhance teaching and learning through the integration of ICT.

What is an innovative teacher?

•  An innovative teacher is someone who teaches in a way that is new or groundbreaking at the school, while integrating ICT to support that teaching.

•  An innovative teacher is someone who uses ICT in new or groundbreaking ways.

•  An innovative teacher can demonstrate that teaching and learning has improved as a result of the approaches used.

How can teachers nominate themselves?

Firstly, you must register on the Northern Ireland Innovative Teachers website (www.innovativeteachersni.com). You will be required to have a Live ID in order to register (https://signup.live.com/) and be sure to look for Northern Ireland in the country dropdown list!!

Submit a written description of your innovation using the Virtual Classroom Tour (VCT) template provided at the C2k Exchange (link to the form) or on the Northern Ireland Innovative Teachers share site. This can be accessed after you’ve registered for the site here or on my STIC website Sky Drive. Once you registered, join the

The judging panel will be made up from a select group of Microsoft, Stranmillis, QUB, RTU and C2k panellists. The two finalists will be selected to attend the Western Europe Innovative Teachers Forum Awards in Berlin, Germany in march 2010 sponsored by Microsoft. Transportation and accommodation is included.

Northern Ireland winners at the Western Europe competition will automatically be invite to the Worldwide Innovative Teachers Forum in Capetown, South Africa in November 2010 !!!!

Attend the launch of this year’s Innovative Teachers Competition !!

· Where- Centre for Excellence in Leadership, Innovation and Learning (CELIL) on the campus of Stranmillis University College in Seminar Room 12 at the     back of the campus, opposite the Orchard building (3rd floor)

· When – Thursday December 17^th at 10:00- 12:00

· Who should attend- Head Teachers and individual Teachers using ICT to deliver their curriculum in an innovative way

· What will you see- past NI winners from Hong Kong, Vienna and Brazil and a presentation on the rules and requirements for this year’s WE competition.

· How to book- just send Tom Jackson an email with the number of attendees

Deadlines

All entries must be received by January 22^nd 2010.

Submit entries (the completed VCT template) by uploading them onto the NI Innovative Teachers website in the “ITF Berlin 2010 Community” . You will be required to have a Live ID in order to register (https://signup.live.com/) and be sure to look for Northern Ireland in the country dropdown list!!

Email- Tom Jackson- i-tomj@microsoft.com with any questions or issues

Now that everyone is back from Brazil safe and sound and over their jetlag (of which fortunately I did not suffer), I thought you’d like to hear 2 terrific podcasts that were done this week with radio stations in the Republic of Ireland. But first a picture of what I refer to as “The Irish Education Mafia”.

From left to right are: Tommy Maher, Seamus Ryan, Deirdre Butler and Kevin Marshall. As you can see they don’t get along at all

The 1st of the 2 podcasts is from Tommy Maher of Scoil Naomh Fiachra with Kilkenny Carlow Local Radio (KCLR).

You can hear Tommy’s podcast HERE

The 2nd podcast is with Seamus Ryan of County Meath VEC and is with TechNet and Pat Brennan

You can hear Seamus’ podcast HERE

2 great Teachers talking about 21st Century Learning and how ICT can play an important role in educating today’s students.

I had said in my last post that I would be putting up more details about the winners of the Innovative Educators Forum Awards. Rather than recreate a lot of new information, I thought it would be best (and easier) to just copy and paste in the official press release from Microsoft'.

In addition to that I have linked all of the winners to their Virtual Classroom Tour (VCT) submissions. They are all posted on the newly launched Partners in Learning website. You will need to register with a Live ID in order to access VCTs. Once registered, go the the Communities tab and join “Innovative Education Forum Brasil 2009 - Teachers & Schools”.

News Press Release
Microsoft Partners in Learning Announces 2009 Worldwide Innovative Teacher Awards

SALVADOR, Brazil — Nov. 6, 2009 —After three days of seminars, teacher exhibitions and judging by an internationally renowned panel of education experts, today Microsoft Partners in Learning announced the winners of the 2009 Worldwide Innovative Teacher Awards at the Worldwide Innovative Education Forum. Partners in Learning recognizes and rewards teachers who demonstrate exemplary use of technology in the classroom to improve student learning. The 14 winning teachers — awarded first, second and third place in four categories — were chosen from among the 250 at the Forum representing more than 60 countries.

The Best Practice winners in the four main competition categories are Mandeep Atwal of England, Innovation in Community; Mark Sparvell of Australia, Innovation in Collaboration; Autumne Streeval and Harriet Armstrong of the United States, Innovation in Content; and Moliehi Sekese of Lesotho, Educators Choice. The 2009 Worldwide IEF award ceremony, held tonight in Salvador, Brazil, was attended by 400 educators, school leaders, government officials and others from more than 60 countries.

“The Innovative Teacher Awards exemplify the dedication and imagination of the world’s most forward-thinking educators,” said Michael Golden, corporate vice president of Education at Microsoft. “The energy and entrepreneurism of the winning teachers demonstrate the infinite possibilities that technology can create to improve learning opportunities and inspire future generations toward greater academic achievement. Microsoft remains committed to supporting the community in this quest. I’d like to extend warm congratulations to everyone who participated in this and the regional events that led up to today’s celebration.”

The following are the top three finalists in each category, in finishing order:

Innovation in Community

Best Practice: Mandeep Atwal (England), “Young Voices”

First Runner-Up: Ollie Bray (Scotland), “Thinking outside the XBOX”

Second Runner-Up: Lucrecio Filho de Oliveira (Brazil), Projeto “Barreiro”

Innovation in Collaboration

Best Practice: Mark Sparvell (Australia), “Connecting Hearts Heads and Hands”

First Runner-Up: Karina Batat (Israel), “The Travelling Mascot”

Second Runner-Up (Tie): Myreia Gussinye (Mexico), “Tolerant”

Second Runner-Up (Tie): Xiaoyong Tang (China), “Exploration of Ant Behaviour”

Innovation in Content

Best Practice: Autumne Streeval and Harriet Armstrong (United States), “US Industrial Revolution Tic Tac Toe”

First Runner-Up: Damien Lebegue (France), “Differentiated/adapted Teaching in PE”

Second Runner-Up: Alex Vieira dos Santos (Brazil), “Fontes De Energia”

Educators Choice

Best Practice: Moliehi Sekese (Lesotho), “Indigenous Plants”

First Runner-Up: Janjira Phongchoo (Thailand), “MS Excel Game Building Techniques”

Second Runner-Up: Isabel Schapdryver (Belgium), “Secondhandshop”

“Winning the Educators Choice award is certainly a great honor,” said Moliehi Sekese of Lesotho who won for her project Indigenous Plants. “Just being here and seeing how teachers from all over the world are enriching the lives of students is ultimately even more rewarding.”

Since 2003, the Partners in Learning award competition has been recognizing individuals with the Worldwide Innovative Education Awards for excellence in teaching. Teachers participate in country-level and regional events. Winners move up to the Worldwide competition.

The judging community includes education experts from all over the world. At the event 36 judges representing 23 countries spend nearly 20 hours talking to the teachers and learning about their projects; then in a private room they discuss, debate and share with one another until the winners are finally selected.

“Every year the submissions seem to get better and better, and this year is no exception,” said Judge Eduardo O.C. Chaves of Brazil. “The level of sophistication of these entries shows that teachers are continuing to innovate and expand the ways they use technology to help students all over the world realize their potential.”

Next year’s Innovative Teacher Awards results will be announced at the 2010 Worldwide IEF, which will take place in Cape Town, South Africa. Country- and regional-level competitions will take place beginning in November 2009. Interested teachers should contact their local Microsoft office for more information or look online at http://www.microsoft.com/education/pil/partnersInLearning.aspx.

At the event, school leaders from 12 Mentor and 30 Pathfinder Schools also participated in a three-day workshop and were recognized for their leadership in driving system-level educational reform.

About the Innovative Education Forum

The Innovative Education Forum is an annual worldwide event. Regional forums are held around the world to create communities of teachers who can share ideas and best practices with their peers and facilitate the creation of collective knowledge. Subsets of regional forum participants are selected to represent their country at the Worldwide Innovative Education Forum.

We had a night to end all nights last evening. The team from Microsoft Brazil put on an evening to be remembered. As I said yesterday, we didn’t know the venue until we got on the buses and what a venue it was. It was the Modern Art Museum (MAM)of Salvador. We were greeted by a Brazilian drum/dance group and everyone got right into the mood.

View Full Album

The was a festive and exciting air about the night seeing people from around the globe were gathered to celebrate excellence in teaching. Here are the teams from India, Scotland and Ghana but they were only 3 of 100 countries participating!!!!

View Full Album

After some local drinks and soups and lots of dancing we headed into the marquee which was erected especially for the event.

The food and drinks were plentiful and the entertainment from the July 2nd Orchestra. This orchestra is only 2 years old and most of its members are in their team. There were incredibly good and the only orchestra I’ve ever seen that were dancing in their seats!!

They played before and after dinner and were called back for 2 encores. It was an incredible testimony to what can be achieved when the will and passion are there

Then we came to the awards. David wasn’t fortunate to pick up an Educators Award but there was still an air of excitement. There will be more details about all of the winners when I get back to Belfast but the UK Team won two of the major awards for Collaboration. 

Mandeep was the big winner for Best Practice and Ollie took 2nd place.

This was by far the best night the Innovative Teachers Programme has ever had and I look for to the choice of next year’s location CAPETOWN, SOUTH AFRICA!!!!

As we wrap up the last day of the IEF 2009, we prepare for the final event this evening. It will be the Gala Dinner at a venue that has been kept secret but we know it will be about 20 km away.

This morning the 24 Semi-finalist were announced and unfortunately, David’s “E Portfolio 5-65” didn’t get through. He’s done an amazing amount of work and delivered an incredible innovative way to engage his students. There is one more category up for grabs and that is the “Educators Choice Award”. This morning there was a 3 hour session where all of the participants in both the Teachers and Schools track were able to visit with the exhibitors and discuss their projects. Then each country here voted for their top 3 exhibits and submitted them to the organizing committee. This is where the Teachers say what they liked best. So let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope that the high level of activity David has had for 3 days translates into a place in the Educators Award.

And last but not least, I want to congratulate  Mandeep Atwal from England and Ollie Bray  from Scotland– both of whom are semi-finalists ! (Their projects – “Young Voices” and “Thinking out of the Xbox”, click HERE.)

Congratulations to all of the teachers at this year’s Innovative Education Forum!

PS- I've been meaning to put up a photo of my esteemed leader and thank him for all of the things he made possible. So Dr. Kevin Marshall, thanks and I'll buy you a beer tonight

It’s important to point out the key roles that are held by Ireland (N+S) at the Forum this year.

The 1st key person is Deirdre Butler from St. Patrick’s College in Drumcondra which has been a College of Dublin City University.

Deidre is currently the Chairperson of the Partners in Learning Advisory Board so she is at the epicentre in helping Microsoft define the direction of the Worldwide Partners in Learning Programme and how it can make a difference in Teachers and Students lives.

From their website:

Deirdre is a faculty member in the Education Department of St. Patrick’s College (a constituent College of Dublin City University) with chief responsibility for designing and co-ordinating learning programs for undergraduate and postgraduate students using a broad range of digital technologies to enable them to understand what being digital in learning can be.
She has close working collaborations with the Everyday Learning research group at Media Lab Europe and Seymour Papert’s Future of Learning Group at the MIT Media Lab.
Deirdre’s doctoral work was conducted in collaboration with Media Lab Europe under the supervision of Dr. Seymour Papert of the MIT Media Laboratory. Her dissertation centres around teacher learning and was entitled, “Self-determined Teacher Learning in a Digital Context: Fundamental Change in Thinking and Practice. Deirdre has developed a model of teacher professional development presently in use in several large projects, including the Empowering Minds community and the Diageo Liberties Learning initiative. Deirdre has consulted to and participated in educational development work using expressive computational materials in Mexico, Costa Rica, several European countries, and rural and urban areas of the Ireland.

Photo is of Deidre giving a Keynote presentation at last year’s event in Hong Kong

PS- She is also and above all a great lady !!!

The 2nd key person is Dr. Victor McNair from the University of Ulster School of Education. Victor has been selected for the 4th time to be a Judge at the Innovative Teachers Event. His deep understanding of relevant and impactful collaborative content and curriculum has been a great help to the Programme over the years. Victor would be considered one of the  Senior Judges due to his many past experiences with the Teachers and their Projects.

Photo- Victor in centre with Byron and Jean Evans in Vienna

A few of Victor’s publications are:

McNair,V. (2005), Using VLEs to support student teachers http://www.members.leadingteachers.com/Newsletters/0008.pdf

Clarke, L.M., Lambe, J.E. and McNair, V. (2004), Embedding e-Learning in Teacher Education http://www.elearningfutures.com/templates/template3.asp?id=38

McNair, V (2004), Using a Virtual Learning Environment to Build Reflective Practice Among Student Teachers http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/connected/connected12/specialfeature/index.asp

McNair V, (2002), Recruitment in Technology and Design in Northern Ireland http://www.socsci.ulster.ac.uk./education/tdweb/tanddrecruitment.pdf

PS again- Victor is also a great guy and a great friend

So rest assured that Ireland (N+S) are playing a key role in Microsoft’s Education roadmap .

Hi all. Apologies for taking so long to get something on the event up for you. Things have been very busy since we landed Sunday evening (3:00 AM your time) and having travelled for 20 hours!!

But now we’re here and settled in. We had Monday to see a bit of the city and visited the market area (Mercado Modelo)

Lots of aggressive sellers but tons of choices from linens, tee shirts, leather goods art and much more. We then spent some time around the Old Town section of Salvador and had a great lunch at an outdoor cafe.

On Tuesday morning the Innovative Schools track kicked off with the Keynote from Anthony Salcito, Microsoft VP WW Education. He was followed by Bruce Dixon founder of the Anytime, Anywhere Learning Foundation. Then we met the 30 new Pathfinder Schools and the 12 Mentor Schools.  The rest of the afternoon was taken up by the Innovative Schools showcasing what they’ve done to make it here. (I’ll have much more about that in upcoming blogs)

Ireland has 2 schools participating in the Innovative Schols track. Dunshaughlin Community College is now one of the 12 Mentor schools in the world and is being represented by Seamus Ryan. Tommy Maher is here as the Principal of Scoil Naomh Fiachra and his school has bee selected as one of the 30 Pathfinder Schools in the world.

Seamus and Tommy

Then last night the Teachers participating in the Innovative Teachers track set up their displays. Here’s David’s and I think it’s a winner

On the table is an actual model of the stage created for the project. You can see the details of his entire project (E-Portfolios 5-65) HERE

The banner showcase all of the key elements and he has attached a screen to play a series of supporting videos.

This morning was the official opening of the Innovative Education Forum with a speech from the Governor of the Bahia Region, Jacques Vagner and then the Keynote was delivered by Michael Golden, Microsoft Corporate VP Education Product Group.

Michael was assisted by Scott Burmester, Microsoft Senior Product Manager. Scott showcased many of the Free software applications the are offered to Teachers and Students around the world. Again, many of these I’ve spoken about in previous articles but there are some new ones I’ll be covering in the coming weeks.

In addition to that, Michael announced the official launching of the new Partners in Learning website which is available for any teacher in the world to join. I will be integrating my NI Innovative Teachers site with this in the coming months.

You can see the official press release HERE

This afternoon the Teachers had to show their work to all of the invited guests and the Judges who have been assigned to them. David was very busy for over 3 hours due to the high level of interest in his project.

So it’s off to dinner tonight with the Western Europe attendees and busy, busy, busy tomorrow, so stay tuned for more updates.

As you may already know, I’m leaving for Salvador, Brazil on Sunday along with David Stinson who is competing in this year’s Worldwide Innovative Education Forum next week. Joining us at the event will be Dr. Victor McNair, Senior Lecturer at the University of Ulster, who will be participating as a Judge for the event. Also attending from the Republic of Ireland as invitees of Dr. Kevin Marshall, Microsoft Education Lead and Academic Programme Manager Ireland, will be Mr. Tommy Maher of Scoil Naomh Fiachra whose school has been selected as a new Pathfinder School in the Microsoft Innovative Schools Programme and Mr Seamus Ryan who has led the establishment of Dunshaughlin Community College as a Microsoft Global School of the Future (now referred to as a Mentor School).

Make sure you follow the activity on this site along with my Twitter Feed (@tjinbelfast)

But the excitement doesn’t end there. I will have my busiest weeks and months (and hopefully years ) when we get back. Just a few of the things I’ll be working on are:

• The opening of a new Innovation Centre!!!. As you are surely aware, I managed the STIC on behalf of Microsoft for the past 5 years. The STIC was part of the European Education Research and Innovation Centre (EERIC). Well, that Centre has closed and I have been tasked to “find a new home”. Well, I’ve done that. Working in partnership with Stranmillis University College, Queen’s University of Belfast School of Education, the Regional Training Unit (RTU) of NI, and Classroom 2000 (C2k)  we will be launching the Centre for Excellence in Leadership, Innovation and Learning (CELIL). Our global STIC/EERIC partners, HP, Cisco Systems and Intel Corp will also be involved with the new Centre. There will be lots of news and activity to follow in the near future, so watch this space!!

• The re-launch of the Northern Ireland Innovative Teachers Network site. If you have visited the NI Innovative Teachers Network site recently you will have noticed a complete makeover has taken place. It looks much better and the navigation is much smoother and faster. if you’re not already a member, make sure you sign up to get access to Free software, Educational Video links, discussions, Communities and much more. I would recommend you register with a Live ID. If you don’t already have one, you can do it HERE. This will make sign on much quicker and easier and will allow integrating your registration on the new Partners in Learning Worldwide Network site in the coming months.

• The launch of the Northern Ireland Innovative Education Forum Awards Competition- As I have done for the past 3 years, I will be running a competition for Teachers in NI to show how they have used ICT in delivering their classroom curriculum in innovative ways. The winners of the NI competition will win an all-expenses paid trip to Berlin next March to compete against Teachers from across Western Europe. Winners of the WE competition are automatically invited to the Worldwide competition in Nov. 2010. Rumour has it that it will take place in South Africa!! David Stinson is going to Brazil because of his success in Vienna last march. 2 Great trips for his hard work. Not bad!! Details will be available in early December and you will find them here, on the NI ITN site, RTU’s website and C2k’s website. You must be a registered member of the NI Innovative Teachers Network to participate

• The launch of the Microsoft Innovative Schools Network-  Microsoft will be formerly be launching the new Innovative Schools Programme in Brazil next week. The 12 Global Schools of the Future will become Mentor Schools and share their experiences and learning from their 3 year participation. There has been 30 additional schools selected from around the world to become Pathfinder Schools and will build on the lessons and experience of the Mentor schools along with developing and sharing their work and innovation. I will be working with schools from NI  interested in the next round of submissions for Pathfinder accreditation. There will be toolkits and free content available in the next few weeks.

• Launch of the NI Imagine Cup Competition- In the past, students and schools who wished to participate in the Microsoft Imagine Cup 2010 Competition did so by going to Dublin to show their work. This year we will be running a competition specifically for students in Northern Ireland with the winner automatically invited to the finals in Dublin next April. Winning teams in Dublin will then be invited to compete at the worldwide competition in Warsaw Poland in July 2010. Presentations to interested schools and student team will begin in late November. If you’re interested contact me (i-tomj@microsoft.com) or Michael Meagher (v-mmeagh@microsoft.com), Academic Programme Manager Ireland. Michael has taken up Liam Cronin’s post for those who have dealt with Liam in the past.

• Microsoft Community Affairs (CA) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – for the past 5 years I have led the CA and CSR activity in the north on behalf of Microsoft. Along with the work we do with FIT NI, EGSA, Action MS and BITC. We will run 2 major projects this coming year:
1. Internet Safety Day- once again Microsoft volunteers will partner with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Community Liaison Officers and the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) to deliver internet safety presentations to Primary schools across NI. This will take place in concert with the EU Internet safety Day 2010 on Feb. 9th. Last year we reached over 1800 students and 100 Teachers.
2. Microsoft NGO Day in NI- working with not-for profits and charities to share resources, training and skills to the wide NGO audience in Ireland. A similar day is taking place in Dublin on Nov. 26th.

I’m sure I’ve left something important out but that seems to be enough for you to take on board for now. So visit the site often, bookmark it, sign up for the RSS feed and let me know how I can help you.