Microsoft technology behind learning innovations extended to more Singapore schools

Microsoft is supporting world-class education practices in Singapore through continued partnerships with the education community that introduce innovative education projects to local teachers and students. 

Source: Microsoft. Professor Michael Fullan from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, a leading global authority on educational reform observing a Primary 4 science class at Nan Chiau Primary School. He said, “We now know the key ingredients for successful learning: a strong pedagogy, technology that accelerates and deepens learning, change leadership that develops the professional capacity of teachers, and links to other schools for mutual learning.”

“At Microsoft, we have a firm commitment to education and talent development. We have been working in close partnership with the education community, providing tools and resources to support Singapore educators in developing essential 21st century skills to help prepare our youths for jobs of the future,” said Jessica Tan, Managing Director of Microsoft Singapore.  

Nan Chiau Primary School (NCPS), recognised as a World Showcase School by Microsoft, is one such partnership example. NCPS is sharing the technology tools, pedagogy and experience of its Science Seamless Learning programne and MyCloud Chinese Learning Platform with nine other primary schools. This partnership enables around 500 students in these nine schools to experience technology-enabled learning initiatives that were pioneered at NCPS. 
 
“Successful innovative practices grounded in new pedagogies need to be shared widely to benefit even more students and teachers. We are pleased to work with Nan Chiau Primary, the National Institute of Education and the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan to expand on the Science Seamless Learning programme and MyCLOUD, both projects that we have been closely involved in, providing technology advice, support, knowledge and research,” she continued.

From January this year, NCPS has helped to introduce the Science Seamless Learning programme to five other primary schools, complementing the science curriculum. Students from one Primary 3 class in each school are now using Windows 8 tablets in their learning activities.

Besides Science Seamless Learning, NCPS and Microsoft also contributed to the scale-up of MyCLOUD, an interactive mobile learning platform for Chinese that leverages Microsoft technology and research as well as expertise from the National Institute of Education and the Singapore Centre of Chinese Language to take the learning of the Chinese language beyond the classroom walls.

With the strong support from the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan, the four other primary schools affiliated with the clan association – Tao Nan Primary School, Ai Tong Primary School, Kong Hwa Primary School and Chongfu Primary School – have also incorporated MyCLOUD in selected Primary 3 classes this year. Through the use of social media features in MyCloud, students are able to use the Chinese language in a more authentic context as part of their communication with their peers.

To support teachers who are new to the programme, NCPS has formed professional learning communities beyond the school. Two experienced teachers from NCPS visits each school once a fortnight to provide guidance and to help fine-tune lesson packages and resources. NCPS also collaborates with teachers from the schools to co-design lessons, ensuring that they can fully utilise the features of MyDesk and MyCloud to deliver new learning experiences for their students through the use of mobile technology.
 
Adrian Peh, Chairman of the Education Committee, Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan said, “MyCLOUD is an innovative teaching and learning tool that leverages technology to cultivate greater interest in the Chinese language. It has opened up many new and interesting lesson options for teachers and students and we have had heard much positive feedback on how MyCLOUD has effectively encouraged learning by making the Chinese language relevant to the students’ daily lives. We are pleased to work with our partners, including Microsoft, to promote this new mode of learning to our affiliated schools.”
Part of the worldwide Microsoft Innovative Schools programme, World Showcase Schools are global leaders of transformative education that have demonstrated innovation to re-imagine pedagogy and teacher professional development while improving student learning outcomes and development of 21st century skills. NCPS is one of three World Showcase Schools from Singapore – the only country represented in Southeast Asia.