Microsoft announced today that it plans to invest $15 million USD in bringing video game and other technologies to classrooms throughout the United States. The announcement was made by Anthony Salcito, vice president of education for Microsoft’s Worldwide Public Sector, via the company's official blog. The goal of this money is to research and develop new learning technologies, such as game-based instruction and a "lifelong learning digital archive." Microsoft also plans to improve the gaming technology skills of more than 150,000 teachers in the United States through a new initiative called Partners in Learning Network. From the blog:
"Around the world, every day, students are engaged in playing games. These digital exercises provide us insight into their motivations and passions. And yet, our classrooms and content take little advantage of this information. With this new investment, Microsoft will support research and development in understanding and creating learning environments that integrate the characteristics of gaming that kids are passionate about.
Just imagine ... every day a child will fail at a game, and yet keep coming back to try again. But in our classrooms, for most, once a child experiences failure, they shut down. We need to bring the same passion they bring to their digital lives into our classrooms. This investment will help our partners and educators do just that.
Around the world, every day, students are engaged in playing games. These digital exercises provide us insight into their motivations and passions. And yet, our classrooms and content take little advantage of this information. With this new investment, Microsoft will support research and development in understanding and creating learning environments that integrate the characteristics of gaming that kids are passionate about. Just imagine ... every day a child will fail at a game, and yet keep coming back to try again. But in our classrooms, for most, once a child experiences failure, they shut down. We need to bring the same passion they bring to their digital lives into our classrooms. This investment will help our partners and educators do just that."
Comments
Re: Microsoft Invests $15 Million in Education
Oh, give me a break. I can see what it really is. It's a ploy to get kids hooked on Microsoft products. They must think we're stupid.
-Greevar
"Paste superficially profound, but utterly meaningless quotation here."
-Greevar
"Paste superficially profound, but utterly meaningless quotation here."