Foundations Newsletter

On 7th April, Microsoft, in conjunction with the HCT- Ed Tech Team, certified 140 HCT Faculty and Staff as a ‘Microsoft Faculty Fellow’ at the Sharjah Men’s Campus. The certificates were signed by Microsoft, Stockholm University, and the Society of Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE).
During the training, 24 of the certificate recipients were selected to complete a ‘Train the Trainer’ workshop at Dubai Men’s Campus; with an opportunity to become a ‘Microsoft Distinguished Faculty Fellow’ and facilitate further training across HCT campuses.

Bjorn Candel and Melody Traylor, English Language Faculty in the Foundations Department at Fujairah Men’s Campus, were the first to be certified as a ‘Microsoft Distinguished Faculty Fellow’ on 26 April. Bjorn and Melody cascaded their knowledge of Technology Enriched Instruction (TEI); 21st Century Learning Design and Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) to 16 HCT-Bachelors of Education teacher candidates.

Mariam Saif, one of the certificate holders, created a QR code video, along with her team, to encompass the benefits of the Microsoft certification for the Bachelor of Education teacher candidates.

Mrs. Hend Ghamri, Program Chair – Education & General Studies HCT Fujairah Women’s College; had this to say about the learners’ recent achievement:
“What I like about the workshop is that it is designed by teachers for teachers and it is different from other technology-based PD sessions I attended. It links 3 key elements: technology, pedagogy and content knowledge to form inquiry-based learning. I am proud of my Education students who are now the first Emirati Microsoft Faculty Fellows. Here’s one more achievement added to their glowing record. They will not only approach technology in a pedagogically appropriate manner, but also give back to their community by training and certifying K-12 instructors.”

Melody Traylor & Bjorn Candel