Microsoft Announces NZ Innovative Teacher of Year

News Release

Auckland teacher recognised for innovative teaching methods

Auckland, New Zealand – 18 April, 2008 – Onehunga High School teacher Nathan Kerr has been named New Zealand Innovative Teacher of the Year for his innovative use of Information Communications Technology (ICT) in teaching.

His pioneering use of mobile phones to deliver teaching modules was recognised at the annual Microsoft Partners in Learning Regional Innovative Teachers’ Conference, held in Hanoi, Vietnam last week.

Six teachers from New Zealand, who have been selected as Microsoft Innovative Teacher Scholars (MINTS) – joined more than 200 teachers from 21 countries across the Asia region, ministry of education officials and principals at the conference to share and exchange best practices and experience the cultural sights of Hanoi.

A team of 18 educational experts from around the region judged presentations put together by the teachers which showed how they had leveraged technology in educating their students.

Nils Beehre, Microsoft New Zealand’s Education Manager, says Nathan’s success is just reward for his constant search for innovative uses of technology in teaching and learning.

“Nathan is really passionate about using technology in his teaching and his obvious enthusiasm and the way he uses mobile phones to deliver learning resources really impressed the judges. New Zealand does extremely well in the innovative use of ICT in schools and Nathan is at the forefront of thinking around how technology can enhance learning.”

Nathan is currently working at TVNZ as part of his scholarship. MINTS scholars are given the chance to spend up to six months completing a professional learning programme with a leading New Zealand company. Aiming to enhance ICT education in New Zealand, MINTS extends innovative teachers’ knowledge about specific applications of ICT and its development processes within industry, building knowledge and skills which they will be able to use to enhance learning experiences in the classroom.

About Partners in Learning Program

Microsoft Partners in Learning (PiL) Program provides government and education leaders with the local resources to deliver information and communication technology skills training and curriculum leadership to enable students and teachers to realize their potential. Launched in Asia Pacific in 2003, PiL has trained 812000 teachers and reached 33 million students across the region. Globally the program will deliver IT literacy and skills development to more than 5 million teachers and 100 million students over the next 5 years.

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential.

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