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A group of public school teachers from all over the country were recognized in formal rites recently, following their graduation from an intensive 11-month technology degree program.
Twenty-eight educators from the first and second batch of finalists of the Innovative Teachers Leadership Awards (ITLA) enrolled in a research-oriented course focusing on the application of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the development and implementation of ICT-enabled learning environments and teaching strategies.
Each teacher graduated with a Master of Arts in Instructional Design and Technology degree from Cebu Normal University.
The ITLA is a Microsoft Partners in Learning initiative which honors passionate and driven teachers who have displayed creativity and ingenuity in teaching.
“The ITLA finalists underwent an ICT integration training called Fusion, which is further enhanced by this degree program,” said Michelle Casio, academic programs manager of Microsoft Philippines.
“We know that technology has the potential to change the way students learn and make new opportunities available to them. Aside from having the right tools, it’s equally important that our teachers have the knowledge and confidence to integrate ICT in their teaching.”
According to Casio, Microsoft collaborates with various academic groups and government agencies through Partners in Learning, to empower more schools and teachers. “We are very fortunate to collaborate with the Coalition for Better Education (CBE) and the Cebu Normal University, to provide extended training to our ITLA teachers.”
“The vision presented by Partners in Learning parallels the principles and outlook of CBE,” said CBE executive director Luchi Flores.
Graduates of the program are expected to understand and appreciate various models of ICT application to teaching and learning, attain the ability to subject their professional practice into a systemic ad reflective analysis, and develop and sustain a community where professionals can engage in constructive exchanges that improve their ability to provide quality education for students.
