Dr Graham Parton, Head of Teacher Education, Dr Steven Burton, Strategic Lead for Innovation, and Colin Mitchell, Learning Technologist, all based in the Carnegie School of Education at Leeds Beckett University, have been recognised as global leaders in using technology to transform education by being selected as MIE Experts. They are the first MIE Experts to be selected from a higher education institution, joining more than 6,700 educators in the MIE Expert programme worldwide.
Each year, Microsoft selects innovative educators to share ideas, try new approaches and learn from each other as a global community dedicated to improving student outcomes through technology.
Dr Graham Parton said: “I am honoured to become recognised as a global leader in the use of technology to transform education. Our innovative Student Teacher Education Programme is the first of its kind and we hope to instil our teaching students with the skills for teaching with technology in the 21st century.”
In March 2017, the Carnegie School of Education at Leeds Beckett University announced a new collaboration with Microsoft, acting as the lead partner university on the development of the Microsoft Student Teacher Education Programme (STEP). The aim of the programme is to address the need for thoughtful use of technology in the classrooms in order to improve student outcomes, reduce teacher stress and bolster teacher retention rates.
Dr Steven Burton commented: “It has been a privilege to work alongside Microsoft over the last academic year. We have established a truly innovative approach to Initial Teacher Education through the STEP project, which will be used not only in Leeds, but is available to trainee teachers all over the world through the Microsoft platform.”
Colin Mitchell said: “It’s great to be recognised by Microsoft in this way, especially as we begin the new academic year as the first university to introduce the Student Teacher Education Programme to our courses, with a suite of Microsoft tools and resources at our disposal. I can’t wait to see what our creative staff and students produce. Exciting times are ahead!”
As a MIE Expert, educators build their capacity for using technology in both the classroom and curriculum to improve student learning, advise Microsoft and educational institutions on how to integrate technology in ways that are effective for teaching, and act as advocates at conferences, events and training for how Microsoft technology can improve learning.
Anthony Salcito, Vice President, Worldwide Education, at Microsoft, said: “Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts are inspiring examples of educators applying new ways of teaching and learning in their classrooms that motivate students and empower them to achieve more. We celebrate and support the work they do every day!”