The Microsoft Showcase School program has grown by two recently. The Asia Pacific College (APC) in Makati City and La Salle Green Hills (LSGH) in Mandaluyong City have joined Microsoft’s vision of a fully integrated and Microsoft-centric institution of learning.
We’ve reported earlier on the Microsoft Showcase School program as the company handpicking elite educational schools around the globe to be powered by its hardware, software, and services. Both the APC and the LSGH are joining the elite ranks of schools benefiting from the tight integration of Microsoft products designed and tailored specifically for education.
Specifically, the IBM Philippines and SM Foundation established APC with its 3000-something student body is using its new Microsoft embossed technology clout to manage classes, student content, and form classroom methodology, according to APC managing director Maria Teresita Medado.
Likewise, educators and pupils at LSGH are exploring Personal Learning Devices to improve curriculum and workflow for grades 3 through 10. LSGH faculty are looking to supplement older methods of teaching with the increasing rise of smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices in classrooms, to form a more efficient self-guided learning process.
APC’s ultimate goal as being a Microsoft Showcase school is to improve the employability of its student body by heavily integrating the new Microsoft services and technologies during a student’s educational journey.
Becoming a Microsoft Showcase School is no easy task and requires institutions to meet rigid Microsoft criteria that include proper use of the company’s technologies, educator training, chart goals of employment beyond education and outline a favorable impact on its surrounding regions and or country. Both APC and LSGH began their journey of becoming a Microsoft Showcase School in mid-2015 by taking advantage of their existing ties to Microsoft services and technologies.
Now, as part of the program, the APC and LSGH not only benefit from slowly integrated flows powered by Microsoft technologies, but the schools now have access to first-hand training of future services and products. Other MSS program benefits include online certifications for various specialties or Microsoft products, ensuring employment from agencies or businesses utilizing Microsoft solutions. Teachers who are involved in a Microsoft Showcase School program can also save money over the long haul by accessing many features of services or products for free, including templates for brochures, online courses, webcast, and certifications.
The list of benefits for Showcase schools is vast. As Microsoft continues its partnerships with schools, teachers, faculty and students around the world are experiencing the company’s products with a renewed sense of passion. While Microsoft has a firm grip on how businesses and enterprises utilize its solutions, the company seems to realize that gaining mind share in schools is just as important if not more so for its continued success.
Schools interested in joining the program can apply here.
