Microsoft Gulf has reiterated its commitment to transform teaching and learning across schools in the UAE. The company is showcasing its latest innovations at this year’s Global Educational Supplies and Solutions (GESS) event taking place at the Dubai World Trade Center from 14 – 16 March 2017.
GESS Dubai is the largest education event across the entire Middle East and brings together all levels of educationalists in one place; to see the latest educational technologies in action, source new and exciting products for the classroom and participate in a range of conference topics about the future of education.
Microsoft is showcasing “An Empowered Classroom” through its solutions at this year’s GESS. The Microsoft engagements at GESS span around personal computing, productivity and the intelligent cloud; empowering teachers and students to achieve more through technology. The company is demonstrating true power of its innovations; Surface Pro 4, Surface Hub, Office 365 and Microsoft Azure Cloud and Minecraft: Education Edition giving visitors an opportunity to experience the ultimate productivity in the digital world; enabling teachers and students to create, collaborate and share in entirely new ways.
“At Microsoft, we are committed to providing immersive learning to improve experiences and education outcomes.” Said Ahmed Ameen Ashour, Education Director, Microsoft Gulf “We believe that technology applied in new ways can shift behavior and motivation. So, students are able to learn through doing — solving problems, practicing, progressing and having fun along the way. GESS is a great platform for us to share our vision for transforming education through purpose driven change. We stand firmly behind the government of UAE and school leaders in the country to drive this holistic transformation empowering schools to achieve more.”
On day 1 of GESS, Microsoft experts delivered an in-depth session titled “Surface for Education” for attendees to discover more about the versatile Surface Pro 4 device. Surface Pro 4 offers teachers and students the best elements of a desktop, laptop, and tablet in one device. Attendees also learned more about the Surface Hub that combines familiarity and traditional uses of a digital whiteboard into one machine that unlocks the power of the group and bridge the technology gap between education and industry, to create a more collaborative classroom that broadens teaching and learning horizons, and possibilities.
“An IDC research shows that 90% of teachers say digital inking improves the quality of their curriculum”. Said Ashour. “The Surface hub and Surface Pro 4 are perfect examples of how digital learning creates new ways to engage students, energize the classroom, improve the learning experience, and deliver results”.
Microsoft also held an exclusive event for Chief Information Officers (CIOs) to address Digital Transformation in Higher Education. The first of its kind event gave CIOs and opportunity to discover the company’s latest technology including Surface Devices, Windows 10, Office 365, Azure, Minecraft in Education and Microsoft classroom. The attendees learned how these innovations are driving digital transformation in the classroom by enhancing communication, inspiring students, fostering collaboration, nurturing creativity, and empowering schools.
During GESS, Microsoft has also collaborated with the UAE’s Ministry of Education to conduct workshops and trainings for MOE educators to introduce gamification in the classroom through Minecraft: Education Edition. Minecraft: Education Edition is transforming the ways of teaching by creating innovative learning experiences.
“At Microsoft, we believe that educators are heroes of the classroom, pushing the boundaries of what is possible to transform learning. We are committed to ensuring educators have access to simple to use technologies, while providing platforms for them to get trained, connect with other educators and be inspired” added Ashour.
