The week I travelled to Manchester to the attend the Microsoft Innovative Education Forum (IEF). In spite of the long journey and poor driving conditions, I highly recommend you bookmark next years event in your diary. Let me explain why.
This Microsoft event brought a whole host of passionate educators together. You only had to stop for a moment to observe the interactions around you, to listed to the exchange of ideas and commitments to future collaborations. This years event was preceded by the Innovative Teacher MEETing where a wide range of mini and nano presentations set a very positive and upbeat tone for the conference. Whilst making excellent use of our time, I was privileged to meet fantastic educators, such as Dawn Halleybone, Dave Mitchell, Chris Mayoh and Chris Allan and re-connect with even more great teachers such as Ceri Williams, David Rodgers, Dan Roberts, Kerry Turner, Ian Addison…… Which reminds me – I will connect with Alessio Bernardelli, whose teaching philosophy and teaching manner inspired me.
I will also like to thank Microsoft for their hospitality. Cloud 23 bar, its stunning 360-degree views of the Manchester night skyline, chilled refreshments, canapés, well as Dan Roberts noted, ‘If Carlsberg made staffrooms…."
Second, the event formally recognised innovative teaching and teachers. 10 inspiring teaching projects in total were recognised, all available to the community via the UK partners in Learning Network to replicate, adapt and develop. My congratulations to all 10 winners and a merit mark, gold star or house point to Microsoft for sharing their ideas so readily. Neat idea.
This event had all the conference cornerstone firmly secured in place. Keynotes that challenged and inspired, workshops with impact and credibility, professional recognition (Innovative Teachers Awards) and a great venue (if not central). Now add to that, the opportunity to contribute (TeachMEETing), a cross sector audience and wonderful hospitality – well, you get a fantastic event.
In writing this reflection, I feel that more of my colleagues could should benefit from future IEF events. Moreover, that we (you) could foster and support staff and student innovation within our schools, using the VCT and IEF format. Quite simply, staff that submit a VCT could then be offered the opportunity to attend the IEF 2011 and who knows, may even be recognised themselves.
The main thing is to keep the main thing, the main thing.
In this instance, the main thing is to keep innovating.