Microsoft Offers Free Guides to a 21st-Century Education

Are you a teacher? Do you have youngsters in school? Think education is important to the future of countries and economies around the world?

We do, too.

One of the things we hear from teachers around the world is their desire to evolve their teaching practices to meet the needs of 21st century students, and to use technology in the classroom in creative and relevant ways. The digital generation expects this type of interaction – and needs it to stay interested and engaged. This is a language we understand, and we know teachers want to speak it too.

To help teachers engage students in a variety of subject areas – from art to music to science – Microsoft is providing free software and online tools,* step-by-step instructions, videos, and teacher guides.  Beyond learning about access to free tools, the teacher guides also will help educators get the most out of the software they use every day.

We offer a number of tools and software that make it quick and easy to engage students and create interactive lesson plans using technology that teachers and students are already familiar with. Why not introduce a new subject with a 3D viewing experience using Photosynth, or take a virtual celestial tour with WorldWide Telescope? Or showcase your students’ musical talents with Songsmith?  Or have students create a digital story with Windows Live Movie Maker using our new e-book as a guide?

I am excited to share that starting tomorrow (Friday March 5th), I will be providing daily teacher technology tips, tricks and ideas for the classroom. I’ll continue providing daily tips until May 4, 2010, National Teacher Day. If you’re on Twitter, follow me @TeachTec or follow hash tag #TeachTips. If you are on Facebook, you can follow Microsoft TeachTec.

More importantly, share this with a school or a teacher you know.  Help them to engage students at new levels.

Posted by Rob Bayuk
U.S. K-20 Education Team .

*Free software downloads and online tools include: AutoCollage, WorldWide Telescope, Photosynth, Songsmith, Photo Story, Office Live Workspace, Windows Live SkyDrive, Bing Search, Bing Maps, Bing Translator. *AutoCollage and Songsmith are available for free to members of the Microsoft Partners in Learning Network. Participation in the Partners in Learning Network requires a free one-time registration. Learn how to take advantage of these free tools in the classroom with the Free Tools teacher guide and resources.

Teacher guides and resources are available for Free tools, Microsoft Office 2007 & 2010, Windows 7, Windows Live Movie Maker, and Digital Storytelling.

You can also watch a video about our free tools and a video about our Windows 7 interactive whiteboard

Tags: