BARCELONA MICROSOFT GLOBAL CONFERENCE FROM 14^th to 17^th MARCH 2014 .Sharing my  experience of being MIEE in 2013 and 2014in two consecutive years!

Becoming MIEE in two consecutive years, priceless feelings!!!!

In November  2013, when Microsoft announces that I am one of the chosen few innovative educators, amongst thousands of entries world wide,I did not understand because I forgot that I uploaded my learning activity and I did not even thought that my learning activity will be short listed globally because I knew that there are technology gurus out there who has innovative skills far much better than me.

On that day, Cheryl Douglas from Bishop high School in Western Cape sent me a message to say ”Phuti, you and myself  are selected to attend Microsoft Global forum in Barcelona. We are only two from South Africa”. I said: OK!!!. By that time I was still in the Principals meeting planning for learners final examination. Late at night I went through the messages again and understand what’s happening! That’s where I learnt that I m selected globally to present my learning activity and to attend Microsoft  global forum. I was so excited more especially that it was for the first time, to fly outside the country. That was one of the most  highest moment in my entire life! I have never flew outside the country.

I took many photos, collaborated with many educators and learnt more skills on how to use Microsoft resources to enhance teaching and learning.

One of my highest moment was when Anthony Salcito gave a key note address. Among other things as he was talking, he said” Teaching and learning has changed”. That statement is still echoing in my mind! I was so inspired in such that I told myself that “Come next year, I want to work hard to be selected again. I DON’T WANT TO MISS  CONFERENCE OF THIS CALIBRE” Indeed I worked hard by workshopping other educators, parents  and learners using the theme” Teaching with technology”.

Here is Anthony Salcito giving key note address.

My inspiration!!!!

Unforgettable and precious moments in Barcelona March 2014 during Microsoft global forum!

I made partnership with many educators. But the most authentic one was with Julie Hembree from Washington, who exhibited reading books titled” Books for Africa”. We had a very lengthy talk about the challenges that our that our learners are facing in reading. In conclusion she agreed to ship some few reading books to my school, Pula Madibogo Primary, to engage learners to read.

Indeed she shipped two boxes of reading books and my colleques Vernice and Tinny embraced the idea and start conducting reading every Wednesday. As time goes on ,I showed them on how to use Microsoft resources to drive reading. We used mouse mischief for assessment, sticky sorter for learners to re arrange the story after reading,(logic testing) auto collage for the images taken when reading and skype to collaborate with Julie HEMBREE in Washington. That was the most exciting part. Even today the partnership is still n going on ,it went even further that we plan to engage learners to write stories that has moral ending by using African animals. Julie will assist us to publish. The aim is to groom young authors and instil the love of reading. Here is Julie and my self in Barcelona:

 

Julie Hembree from Belle Elementary, Washington and Phuti Ragophala from Pula Madibogo Primary, South Africa

View the blog that Julie created about our school reading project:

http://bellbulldogreaders.edublogs.org/2014/06/26/what-dog-is-in-sovenga/

 

Beside Julie, I partnered with Champa Rathnayake from  Kandy Model School in Sri Lanka for collaboration of our learners projects

 

My favourite wash down after heavy breakfast was chocolate.

In my learn-a-thon group, we had Chinese and MEXICAN WHO COULD NOT COMMUNICATE IN ENGLISH.

 

Through translation app,  I was able to translate his Chinese speech into English.

Gala dinner time, was wow! Unforgettable and precious moments!

My team mates! Mr Phil Mnisi and Mabusane Tlali from Lesotho

http://www.schoolnet.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/2014.03.17.Microsoft-in-Education-Gl.. 2014.03.17.Microsoft-in-Education-Global-Forum-Barcelona-3

 

Presenting my learning activity.

Made many friends!

 

 

Team South Africa in Microsoft global forum in Barcelona! The only black lady, Phuti RAGOPHALA!

 

DUBAI MICROSOFT GLOBAL CONFERENCE FROM THE 21^st to 24^th FEBRUARY 2015

For  2014 -2015 selection as MIEE was not a surprised because I knew that I worked hard . The following is group of learners that I worked with . I used various Microsoft resources to convey the message. Things like animation,sticky sorter,window movie maker,sway,padlet and songsmith were used to convey the message of the lesson to learners.

I also used Project based learning approach to put the lesson in practice. The them of the lesson was inequality and poverty in South Africa and how the government came up with its own initiatives. I challenges the learners to come with their own initiatives to solve the challenge of inequality. Through assistance of various stake holders, they came up with a project of making medicinal herbs using he green herbs planted at the backyard of the school. Many needy community members benefitted a lot as they cannot afford professional doctors.

The herb medicine is marked on line. Log on www.pulaointmnet.wozaonline.co.za

Or get to www.pulamadibogoprimary.co.za

The following is a group of learners who participated in researching about the project:

The project is titled” Today’s  learners Tomorrow’s great thinkers and scientists!

I conducted many workshops to inspire and share IT skills with educators, parents and learners.

Sharing the skills with the reception educators on how to download resources and use them to enhance teaching and learning in reception class

 

 

Teaching learners on how I pad works . They were so excited!

 

In Conclusion

Lesson learnt from participating in the two global forums

·         Technology knowledge is improving every day

·         Meeting with likeminded educators made my mind sharper than ever

·         Age is not a limit. I met many educators of my age size,they were doing so well

·         Born before technology thing, is just a myth! I am a living testimony. Its all about passion towards work

·         Using Microsoft resources is free and Microsoft agent are so supportive in every thing that we request for assistance

·         The atmosphere that prevails at Microsoft global conference is  unforgettable and precious! You attend once, you are hooked! I am hooked!

I hope to share and harvest many more skills from Dubai!

I am proud to be associated with MICROSOFT! They really changed my life!