Four Forth Valley College colleagues are celebrating their recognition as Innovative Educator Expert status with Microsoft for the academic year 2023-24.
Lecturer/Learning and Digital Skills Mentor Caroline McConnachie (unfortunately missing from the photo), Lecturer Tracy Alexander, Lecturer Bill Crawford and Learning and Digital Skills Academy Project Lead Jennifer Nisbet, retained their MIEE status following successful portfolio submissions, which demonstrated their commitment to innovative teaching and training approaches using Microsoft technologies in the classroom.
Microsoft offers the globally recognised Innovative Educator Expert (MIEE) programme to promote engagement and innovation in teaching practice, empowering educators to provide an enriched learning experience for their students.
In the ever-evolving landscape of education, technology has become an indispensable tool for educators and the MIEE programme equips them with the knowledge and tools to integrate technology into their teaching practices, fostering creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking among students. It does this by harnessing the power of everyday classroom tools such as Teams, OneNote, Sway and PowerPoint, so that educators can create engaging, accessible and interactive learning experiences tailored to the needs of their students.
Jennifer Nisbet, FVC’s Learning and Digital Skills Academy Project Lead, said: “In a landscape where demand for digital skills is on the rise, using appropriate technologies to complement our practice not only enriches our own teaching, but positively impacts the students’ learning experience in many ways. The Learning and Digital Skills Academy would love to support even more colleagues towards achieving MIEE status.”
Anyone who uses Microsoft 365 in their day-to-day role can potentially achieve Innovative Educator Expert status. To become an MIEE, educators need to demonstrate their commitment and passion to innovative teaching and training methods using Microsoft technologies. This involves completing a professional learning pathway and an application, which highlights their proficiency with these tools and how they apply them to enhance teaching practice. Applicants are also required to create and share their innovative lesson plans and teaching resources, with the global education community. This process not only validates their expertise but also encourages knowledge sharing and collaboration among educators.
The MIEE programme has many benefits. Successful candidates gain exclusive access to Microsoft's latest educational technologies and updates, ensuring they keep ahead of innovative new tools and teaching developments. It offers access to a supportive community of practice, enabling them to exchange ideas, best practices, and resources, and the opportunity to attend free training, which can further enhance skills and knowledge. It also provides the opportunity to boost GTCS professional update and CPD evidence through training and coaching peers. You can find out more in this video.
Any FVC member of staff who uses Microsoft 365 technologies in their role, and are interested in finding out more about becoming an Innovative Educator Expert, should contact the College’s Learning and Digital Skills Academy, who would love to hear from you. Contact them at digital.learning@forthvalley.ac.uk, or speak to FVC MIEEs Jennifer, Bill, Caroline or Tracy.
