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Microsoft joins Victorian Government to launch education research lab

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080829 Broadmeadows launch

New teaching techniques developed in Broadmeadows will have follow-on benefits for schools across Victoria and the nation.

Melbourne, Victoria – August 29, 2008: Victoria is set to become the birthplace of groundbreaking technology-based teaching practices with the launch of a new education research facility in Broadmeadows.

The new laboratory, known as the Broadmeadows Innovation and Learning Lab (Ideas Lab), has been established by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development in collaboration with Microsoft, Intel, Cisco, the Hume City Council and the University of Melbourne, and was officially launched today by the Premier of Victoria, John Brumby, and the Victorian Minister for Education, the Hon. Bronwyn Pike MP.

The Ideas Lab, which will be open from September 1st, will help solve one of the major issues facing educators today: how to align student experiences in the classroom with their experience and enthusiasm for technology outside of school.

Speaking at the launch, Ms Tracey Fellows, Managing Director, Microsoft Australia said: “Microsoft’s investment in and support for the Lab reflects our belief in its potential to be an incubator of innovation for new teaching practices and techniques that underpin improved learning outcomes.

“Today’s children are widely regarded as digital natives who have grown up with technology: the Ideas Lab will provide teachers with the resources and support to find fresh ways to engage our children in the learning process,” she said.

Microsoft will draw upon its experience of working with educators around the world to contribute strategic and on-the-ground advice to the Ideas Lab, as well as helping to provide access to the world’s most advanced software and technology. The company will also provide direct funding for the Lab.

“We saw the need for a dedicated initiative to explore the increasing role technology plays in education, what it means for the way young people learn and how teaching practice can change to accommodate this shift,” said Wayne Craig, Regional Director, Northern Metropolitan Region, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

“Having Microsoft on board, who have been instrumental in bringing this partnership to life, means Ideas Lab will have access to the latest expertise in both the IT and education sectors,” he said.

Microsoft said that there was potential for the company to work with the Ideas Lab to incorporate new ideas and concepts into its worldwide teacher development and technology skills program, Partners in Learning, an initiative designed to provide teachers with professional technology training. To date, Microsoft has trained over 36,500 Victorian teachers through the Partners in Learning program.

“Microsoft recognises the value of bringing together government bodies, schools and IT leaders in order to create an environment where teacher and student talents can truly flourish,” said Ms Fellows.

“We believe that students and teachers who have access to innovative 21st century technology tools combined with training and professional development can play a powerful role in transforming the education experience. These tools will help enable student-centric, individualised learning, on-going professional development and above all, flexibility to chose how, where and where to learn,” she said.

The Ideas Lab is part of the wider Broadmeadows Schools Regeneration project, a Victorian Government initiative that involves rebuilding parts of the existing school system into seven state-of-the-art facilities designed to revitalize education across the region.

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