Treasure Chest of Thoughts

Today I read Web 2.0 in the Classroom’s blog…and learned about Microsoft’s offering scholarships to five teachers to attend NECC this summer.  Just another reason to appreciate this giant in software! 

This came on the heels of a peer telling me…just this afternoon…that our request to attend this conference was not going to be approved by our district.  Never one to bypass an opportunity, I further investigated this chance in a lifetime and discovered that through a random drawing and by answering the following question, I once again might have hope in this dream…

Thus, in response to Microsoft’s questions:  How can Microsoft help you teach better?

• Through the use of Microsoft office, I better prepare my students for success in the 21st Century.    Within my district, I applied for and was approved to receive a class set of laptops for my classroom next fall.  Throughout this process, I read much on what will be expected of our students in the 21st Century:  use of spreadsheets, databases, letters, presentations, these are still the skills that employers expect their employees to possess.  Through the creation of such documents and presentations, employers further learn that these employees have the ability to think critically, to analyze, and to lead; these employees can work together to solve the challenges of this ever-evolving learning base.
• I also appreciate Microsoft’s support of education through its website, not just for teachers, but also for the many links and support it gives to students and parents, alike.  What this further tells me is that Microsoft understands the life of a teacher, the life of a very busy teacher, and, thus, is willing to provide free resources for us to use, saving on that natural resource called time!
• Through the use of Microsoft, we conserve our natural resources in another important way as we continue to encourage our students to Go Green; going more and more paperless saves money for our districts and teaches our students responsibility to and appreciation for our planet also.
• Microsoft actually might help me “teach” less and guide/facilitate more.  If one listens to the students and believes the research, our students need less lecture and more hands-on/project-based learning.  This is achievable through utilizing the resources provided by Microsoft.
• Finally, Microsoft can help five teachers be better at what they do everyday by sending them to such conferences as NECC, by providing some of the best professional development that one can receive:  spending time with the leaders in their chosen career and with peers from around our country and world and learning the latest in the fields of education and technology, thereby, ensuring our students’ success in the 21st Century.

Thanks, Microsoft!