In a recent workshop organised by Microsoft Malta, a group of leaders in Maltese Education discussed the future of education, the major transformations in the European and global economy and the effects of these trends on the local education system.
The group included top officials in the Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education and the Directorate for Educational Services, college principals, heads of public, private and church schools and academics from the Faculty of Education at the University of Malta.
Education Ministry Permanent Secretary Christopher Bezzina opened the event and addressed over 60 people in the workshop entitled 'Leading change in education'.
Gavin Dykes, a leading consultant on technology in education from Education Impact UK, facilitated a number of brainstorming activities.
"The workshop's emphasis was not simply on technology; it was designed to provide awareness and understanding of key ideas for leading change in education and how technology can enable school-wide and system-wide change," Mr Dykes said.
Working in teams, the change-agents present for the workshop discussed current practices in Maltese schools and brainstormed on what they would like to do in their schools to better reflect the realities and challenges of the 21st century.
Admitting that there was a limited variety of technology tools available in class, the attendees concluded that more Maltese schools should adopt an ethos that promotes change, shared leadership and endorses an enabling approach to learning. More opportunities for teacher professional development are necessary for educators to appreciate the pedagogical practice of technology, and more knowledge-sharing sessions should be created.
Attendees reflected on the current learning methodologies in schools and the type of skills, emotions and academic capabilities that schools should be imparting to students.
"It is widely accepted that the use of ICT in schools promises a range of advantages. In order to capitalise on these advantages, however, the implementation of technology in schools must go far beyond the installation of the tools in the class.
Fulfilling the students' potential and churning out future knowledge workers does not come around by continuing to teach traditionally with modern technology. The role of the school and the teacher will change," said Fabianne Ruggier, academic programme manager for Microsoft Malta.
Dr Bezzina said we must "realise that change is here to stay and that we need to be more proactive and instigate the changes and developments that are needed to prepare children to face the world of tomorrow".
An online community has been created, displaying the work done in this event on the Microsoft Partners in Learning Network. The conclusions, drawings produced by the attendees and papers and information are available on the Community of Education Change Agents.
For more information on how Microsoft can help schools, call 2138 1202 or e-mail v-farugg@microsoft.com.