{"id":13923,"date":"2019-06-21T10:27:16","date_gmt":"2019-06-21T10:27:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-gb\/industry\/blog\/?p=13923"},"modified":"2019-06-21T10:27:16","modified_gmt":"2019-06-21T10:27:16","slug":"meet-the-e2changemakers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-gb\/industry\/blog\/education\/2019\/06\/21\/meet-the-e2changemakers\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the #E2ChangeMakers"},"content":{"rendered":"
April this year saw Microsoft Innovative Educator<\/a> (MIE) Experts from around the globe donning their berets and purple OneNote capes to descend upon Paris for this year\u2019s E2 Global Education Exchange for three days of honouring changemakers in the classroom!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The essence of E2 is celebration, recognition, collaboration, and inspiration. As always, the E2 Team UK, didn\u2019t disappoint and were there with game-changing energy flying the flag for all corners of the UK!<\/p>\n The UK saw six MIEExpert attendees alongside four representatives from the Leaders track. They embarked upon the experience with full tenacity and came back enthused with ideas to shape the future of technology in education in the UK.<\/p>\n MIEExperts<\/strong><\/p>\n Leaders track <\/strong><\/p>\n E2 is all about forming new bonds with fellow educators. During the first educator challenge, our educators kicked off the fun by canvasing the streets of Paris with their teams and making a statement.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n James Wilton, English teacher and Housemaster from Repton School in the Midlands, said that he \u201clearnt a great deal about collaboration and a strong sense of the educational values that united us. That in itself was enormously special.\u201d<\/p>\n The Learning Marketplace provided another key opportunity for the educators to connect and collaborate as E2\u2019s mini trade show. Team UK made a stamp here also on both fellow educators and Microsoft representatives alike.<\/p>\n By showcasing the unique ways they are using Microsoft technologies in their UK classrooms, our educators shared their wonderful ideas and left inspired by other educators from around the globe. Julie Fletcher, Head of ICT from Ysgol Y Strade, Llanelli, South Wales, was even able to connect with some of her primary school students live from the marketplace.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Breakout sessions during the week saw our MIEExperts learning a whole host of new skills from experts themselves. They also had the opportunity to take part in product focus groups. Donna, Digital Technology Lead , Newington Green and Rotherfield primary schools in London, attended a product focus group led by Mike Tholfsen, looking at learning tools and upcoming elements.<\/p>\n The Keynotes didn\u2019t disappoint either. \u201cBrianna’s keynote was exceptional. The confidence and passion she delivered to a room-full of global educators was incredible, definitely a future world leader in the making,\u201d said Julie.<\/p>\n On the final day with the Awards Gala, E2 Team UK took the spotlight again, bringing home four awards:<\/p>\n Following on from their amazing change-making experiences in Paris, what are the plans for our E2 Team now?<\/p>\n James has plans to introduce Micro:bits and Flipgrid to his students. He also plans to take part in TweetMeets to connect with other educators.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Elaine is now even more empowered to continue on her journey inspiring colleagues to become changemakers and encourage them to go forward to experience their own global connections.<\/p>\n Donna left E2 full of inspiration and eagerness to further explore the world of Minecraft. She also aims to ensure that every pupil, teacher, and parent in her institutions will know and use the learning tools confidently.<\/p>\n Owen plans to develop a digital training and STEM Space for all ages and abilities in North Wales.<\/p>\n Dawn will take away many valuable teachings, strategy plans, approaches and learn from them to enhance her own cluster improvement plans.<\/p>\n Finally, Julie has actioned the most recent integration between Wakelet and Sway through requesting the feature via Twitter. Her voice was heard and within a week the feature was enabled.<\/p>\n This shows there really is not limit to what the fabulous E2 Team UK can achieve!<\/p>\n Here at the UK Microsoft Education Team, we know that passion is priceless and our wonderful community of educators have that in bucket loads. We hope a final statement from Elaine leaves you with the determination to go outside your comfort zone. Put yourself forward for new and exciting opportunities in the new academic year to come.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI am determined to go forward with renewed confidence in myself and look for opportunities in life, rather than shy away from them because they may be too bold. I feel my passion and enthusiasm for teaching is renewed and I am inspired to try new things.\u201d<\/p>\n – Elaine Topham, Senior Learning technologist from the Grimsby Institute<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Find out more about our educators and see firsthand their experiences at E2 in Paris.<\/p>\n\n
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Moving forward with Team E2 UK<\/h2>\n
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Feeling inspired and want to attend E2 next year? Become a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert! Here\u2019s how<\/h3>\n