Competition CLOSED

Introduction 

The increasing use of information technology is the defining characteristic of our time and its growth in education appears inevitable.  The Ministry of Education is engaged in an exploration of what the information and communication technologies can accomplish, within the realities and constraints of the Jamaican Education System.  It is hoped that, by hosting this competition, a more functional role will emerge for IT as a significant educational tool for Jamaica.

The objective of the Innovative Technology Integration competition is not “computer literacy”, or learning about “how computers work”.  Instead, its purpose is to advance the use of information technology by teachers and students, for achieving educational objectives. 

Accordingly, the competition has been designed to advance the following objectives:

1. To showcase in a tabletop/poster board way a Virtual Classroom Tour (VCT). Follow the link, scroll down and select "Ingles" for more details http://www.microsoft.com/latam/educacion/alianzaporlaeducacion/docentesinnovadores/foro2008/presentaciones.aspx
2. To use VCTs offering of resources that lead students through creative, constructivist, technology rich projects for all grade levels and subject areas.
3. To enhance teachers’ skills in designing and developing technology-based instructional materials.
4. To foster the integration of various technology tools in the instructional process.
5. To enhance instructional design skills of Jamaican Teachers.

The competition is open to all teachers islandwide.  Participants are expected to design and develop an innovative project on any content, presenting how they have leveraged technology to help transform education and achieve success with their students. 

Follow the useful links below: 

• http://www.microsft.com/education/innovativeteachers.mspx
• http://www.microsoft.com/education/WWITF-Videos-Index-Page.mspx
• http://www.microsoft.com/education/innovative_index.mspx

RULES 

1. Competition starts Monday, June 1, 2009, and ends on Friday, July 10, 2009.
2. Projects must be developed around your content of choice.
3. All projects should reflect integration of supporting elements such as posters and brochures.
4. Project should support a student-centred approach.
5. Projects should utilize multiple media formats such as audio, graphics, props, etc.
6. Activities should be appropriate for the grade level.
7. Submissions should reflect the work of the teacher entering and must be signed off by grade supervisor, head of department and/or Principal.
8. All entries should be submitted by 3:00 p.m. on Friday July 10, 2009 and should be accompanied by the completed entry form. 
9. Participants will be required to make a ten-minute presentation before a panel of judges on dates and times to be announced.   During this time you maybe asked questions about your project.

Submissions should be made on any suitable storage medium such as CDs etc. to: 

Media Services Unit
Caenwood Complex
37 Arnold Road,
Kingston 5
Telephone 924-9128 

PROCEDURE 

• Select a project of your choice for example Recycling
• Design lessons that can be used to support the objectives of the Project. 
• Projects should reach students through creative, constructive technology for all grade levels. 
• Projects should focus strongly on supporting a student-centred, enquiry approach to instructional delivery.
• Projects should utilize an activity-based approach.
• The accompanying rubric should be used to guide your design as it contains the criteria on which your module will be judged.

For example if the project is about recycling, you could use recycled paper to make elements such as picture frames, baskets and pencil holders.  Though these elements are very simple and creative they provide a quick insight into what the project is about.