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Article mentions a 10-year $500 million commitment by Microsoft to transform education systems around the world through technology. "The programme will assist teachers, school leaders and students globally on effective ways to use ICT in the classroom environment." But doesn't really give any specifics. Is this money well spent?

This Microsoft Partners in Learning site (http://www.microsoft.com/education/pil/partnersInLearning.aspx) has good info on this great program. Here's a good video I saw there: http://www.microsoft.com/showcase/en/us/details/5672418a-839d-46e5-9b19-7a68d15d4b09 Btw, thanks for this! It is a perfect addition for my team's wiki project :-)

A former Apple interface designer critiques Microsoft's 'Productivity Future Vision (2011)' video that has been spreading on the web (and a couple of you have shared here on Diigo).  The Apple guru's biggest gripe? Microsoft portrays a future dominated by single finger interaction with touch-enabled devices. But we are already seeing more elaborate Human-Computer interaction involving more of  our bodies and communication modes-- full body (Kinect, Microsoft), and voice & hearing (Siri, Apple). Mr. Victor says that Microsoft's vision wasn't as revolutionary as it seems.

I agree with the author on Microsoft's lack of vision about future technologies (which I also ranted about on facebook). At the same time, we have to note that Microsoft currently has devices that enable 'full body' communication and Apple does not. And their latest wonder 'Siri' was acquired, not developed internally. I respect Apple for their innovations but we haven't seen any 'vision' from Apple yet and I am curious to know what they might be thinking.

Microsoft hosted a Global Forum of educators all over the world for the annual "Partners in Learning" event. Educational leaders presented their own innovative projects that leverage technology in the classroom. Here Secretary Arnie Duncan announced that Microsoft will take over Department of Education's TEACH campaign.

Quoting directly from the company-wide email (to Microsoft) "Microsoft YouthSpark is a new companywide initiative that will create opportunities for 300 million young people around the world over the next three years. We know young people everywhere face real challenges....Yet, this is more than philanthropy. We are mobilizing the company. From Partners-in-Learning to Office365 for EDU to Skype in the Classroom, we're marshaling a wide range of company's programs to support youth. As Steve said this morning, "We believe that working with our partners we can help empower young people to change their world, and we are committed to using our technology, talent, time and resources to do that."" (Personal Communication)

Microsoft Courier Booklet

The Microsoft Courier is a two screen folding tablet device that allows for user interaction via gestures and/or stylus. The user interface looks to be the Courier's strongest point, but I'm curious to see if the stylus-heavy interaction will provide for any major advantage over a typical laptop and the already existent tablet pc market for anything other than art programs. In an educational setting, this could potentially be used as a library reference device and/or collaborative art device, but just as has been the case with many educational products in the past, may not be novel enough to sway education (or any other market) into preventing the Courier into becoming vaporware. However, this still poses as an excellent example of new devices coming onto the market that focus on new or perfected methods of Human Computer Interaction (HCI).

Kind of a slightly different perspective from Europe, but some commentary from Microsoft Europe on how they think technology will change higher education and job preparedness. Towards the end he talks about things like personalization, digital resources for all schools, and some MS initiatives in schools (Partners in Learning).

Promo for Microsoft Surface technology

Spoof of Promo for Microsoft Surface technology

Microsoft is showcasing range of products and solutions aimed at leveragng technology to transfrom education. Live@edu, a rich collaboration and communication platform, is the highlight of the show.

Microsoft recognized three U.S. schools at its Global Forum Educator awards last week. I didn't find two of them terribly intriguing, but the third, LYNCing Distance Learning Math Classes to Blind and Visually Impaired Students, was a great example of how technology can be used to link educators with special skills and students with special needs how may not otherwise have access to a qualified instructor.

Microsoft has obtained a patent for augmented-reality glasses that would display real-time information about live events as they unfold before your eyes. 

Program started by Microsoft engineer / Harvard Ed school graduate.

Microsoft patent application proposes generating fat avatars for people whose health records indicate that they are overweight

Students in Ireland classroom are taught remotely by teacher in another school.

Looking for web-based teaching tools to prepare its students for the future, Kello School in Finland deployed Microsoft Live@edu to give students a rich online learning experience, foster peer collaboration and enable students to work away from school all within a secure online environment.

A great example of a new immersive interface that Microsoft is developing

Interesting timing on this Surface release after our discussions in class. Looks like they finally figured out a better form factor than the coffee table :)

I wonder if it's good to have large corporations like Microsoft giving awards to teachers. I have no reason to doubt Julia Breen's work but Microsoft is not in the teaching business. I can't see teacher's giving computer engineers awards for excellent computer engineering.