Tasmania's Most Innovative Teacher of 2010 Announced

(Media release from Premier of Tasmania, David Bartlett MP, 11 August 2010)

Left to right: Craig Foster, Microsoft; Tasmanian Innovative Teacher Mark Smithies; Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett

Devonport High School teacher Mark Smithies has been awarded the 2010 Microsoft Innovative Teachers Award for Tasmania for his innovative use of ICT in the classroom.
 
Premier David Bartlett today congratulated Mr Smithies on his award, saying he had been selected because of his innovative use of mainstream software to engage with his students and teach them to become adaptable ICT thinkers.
 
“Mark not only used the very recognizable tools in Microsoft Office, but also utilized some of the high end features to create highly interactive games for secondary students,” Mr Bartlett said.
 
“It was his ability to use some of the simplest technology tools in an innovative way to really engage his students that set him apart from the other nominations and ensured his award win.”

The award was presented at the opening of the 2010 Microsoft Innovative Schools Forum, a two day national forum taking place in Hobart on 12th-13th August.
 
At the opening, David Bartlett outlined that two Tasmanian Government schools will showcase their innovative skills to the nation as part of the forum.
 
Mr Bartlett said that Taroona High in the state’s south and Prospect High in the state’s north had been selected as two of 23 cutting-edge public schools across Australia to take part in the global program, which aims to embrace reform that makes education more relevant to 21st century economic and social needs.
 
“The Innovative Schools Forum is the third of four forums that the nation’s top public schools will be involved with over 12 months, in which Australian teachers will showcase their world-class teaching practices,” Mr Bartlett said. 

Jane Mackarell, Academic Programs Manager - Microsoft Australia, said that Microsoft sees Australia as world class when it comes to giving its children the smart tools and knowledge to succeed in a highly connected and globalised economy.
 
“There’s a great opportunity for Australia to play a global leadership role in digital education and this gathering of Australia’s top schools and teachers represents how the classroom of the future is becoming a reality right now in Australia,” Ms Mackarell said.
 
Mr Bartlett said that the forum was being hosted by the Department of Education, his former high school, Taroona High, and Microsoft Australia.
 
“Leading educationalists who will be speaking at the forums to share insights about a range of topics such as envisioning, innovation and leadership, include founding President of the Australasian Association for Cooperative Education Joan Dalton, Dr Cheryl Doig from the national New Zealand Institute of Management board, and Bruce Dixon from the Anytime Anywhere Learning Foundation,” he said.
 
For more information, please see:
https://www.microsoft.com/education/PIL/partnersInLearning.aspx

***The forum will be held at Taroona High School, Meath Ave, Taroona, from Thursday 12th August until Friday 13th August***

Comments

• Anonymous
  August 16, 2010
  rippa bonza beudy

• Anonymous
  December 30, 2010
  How about giving us a REAL link to the above Tasmanian schools content...and not just a MS link...not at all innovative. your in education JohnD