Bangkok--Sep 16--Hill & Knowlton
‘Digital Phase’ of Microsoft’s Partners in Learning gets underway
In an effort to help train a further 20,000 teachers nationwide in ICT skills, Microsoft Thailand, in partnership with the Ministry of Education today launched an online community designed to promote knowledge sharing among teachers and provide a crucial e-learning resource.
The move follows a recent announcement by Bill Gates, Microsoft’s Chairman and Chief Software Architect, that the company’s ‘Partners in Learning’ projects in Thailand will move into a ‘Digital Phase’.
The site, available for free at www.pil.in.th, will provide teachers with access to their peers throughout the country, a range of online courses in using technology and many thousands of digitized educational texts. Full details of all projects under Microsoft’s five-year Partners in Learning program will also be available on the site.
Mrs. Sopapan Chuenthongkum, a computer teacher at Sankhampang School who joined Microsoft’s Innovative Teacher Program in 2004 commented that, “This site will be a great opportunity for us teachers to improve ourselves in applying technology to teaching methods while also giving us the chance to exchange knowledge with each other. Not only does it act as a crucial source of information and learning but it also allows us to upload digital content we feel our colleagues throughout the country may find useful. I believe this website will be very helpful in our day to day work.”
A key focus of the site will be to provide broad educational ideas, allowing teachers to acquire core skills and pass those skills on to their students. Because teachers throughout Thailand will now be able to log onto the portal and share ideas and first-hand experiences, best-practice models can be developed and promoted among peers.
“By providing an online resource, the number of teachers that can be reached is instantly multiplied,” said Andrew McBean, Managing Director, Microsoft Thailand. “The advantage of the Internet is that it promotes lifelong learning for teachers and students because they are no longer confined to the classroom - information can be accessed anytime, anyplace and on any device. Through www.pil.in.th, we will continue to help demonstrate to teachers the value of technology in the learning process, helping them to increase productivity in the classroom.”
Mr.Sunsern Kriangpanyakit, an 11 years old student from Bangkok Christian School and the winner of Microsoft’s IT Youth Challenge 2004 said that “It’s fantastic that we now have a place where I can show my performance and achievements. I believe it will also attract other students and inspire them to join in with new activities that develop their abilities in areas they may not have explored”
Importantly, Microsoft is also now working with the Ministry of Education to digitize key texts, starting with the Ministry’s existing key texts and resources as well as Microsoft digital learning media. It is estimated that every year, over 100 million pages from the MOE could be digitized, opening up a gold-mine of information to every teacher in Thailand.
To ensure that the web site operates in a highly reliable environment, Microsoft has employed the services of Internet Service Provider “INET” to host the site.
While the site will become a central focus of Partners in Learning and represents the kick-off of the ‘Digital Phase’, it is by no means the only project underway. Already in Thailand, Microsoft runs several initiatives to stimulate the adoption of ICT among students and teachers.
In 2004 and 2005, For example, Microsoft Thailand has already worked with local NGOs in Thailand to set up 4 community training centers with more planned in 2006. Furthermore, the company has worked with four pilot schools, helping 280 teachers integrate ICT into their lessons under the Empower ICT Project. Microsoft’s IT Youth Challenge, meanwhile, attracted over 200 students to a 3-day competition, while over 1,000 students participated in an ICT Camp that promotes basic skills in ICT.
Through these projects and others under Partners in Learning, Microsoft has so far helped to train over 10,000 teachers in the use of IT for education. It is estimated that these 10,000 teachers have passed on their skills to over 420,000 Thai students in the classroom.
“Building skills is absolutely fundamental to the success of a healthy software eco-system in Thailand,” added McBean. “We are on the edge of a potential technology revolution within the country that will drive wealth and jobs for individuals and companies. Now is the time for private companies and all the relevant public agencies to work together towards a single goal of driving value for Thailand’s on the global technology stage.”
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Established in 1993, Microsoft (Thailand) Limited provides world-class software that is easy to use and localized to suit the local market’s needs. It also has a compelling and consistent platform to build powerful business solutions that can scale from a notebook computer to a mainframe — class multiprocessor systems using Microsoft technology. For further information, information, please visit the Microsoft (Thailand) website at: http://www.microsoft.com/thailand.
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