2020
has been a year of blended learning, elevating the importance of creating
connections for students and inspiring them to learn from home, from class, and
everywhere in between. Educators worldwide have taken on the challenge of
providing new immersive and interactive experiences and Microsoft continues to
partner and support them every step of the way.
It’s
why I am so excited for this year’s Global
Learning Connection, where our mission to connect with students to fill
their hearts with optimism, resilience, and compassion has never been so needed
and purposeful. 2020 represents the sixth year of the Global Learning
Connection, bringing students together from all over the world to connect with
other students, guest speakers, and experts in their field to inspire
generations to learn empathy and open hearts and minds to help them become
global citizens and change the world.
On
November 10 and 11, Microsoft is inviting every student, educator, and parent
to join us for 48 hours of connections, leveraging the power of Microsoft
Teams, Flipgrid, and Skype to break down the walls of classrooms and homes.
Grab a global virtual passport and get ready to visit places you’ve never seen
before by taking virtual field trips to zoos, museums, and national parks. Talk
to authors, engineers, and conservationists, and learn from Microsoft leaders.
You can also connect with classrooms live or asynchronously to share stories,
sing a song, dance, and even play a game of Mystery Skype or Mystery Flipgrid!
Last
year’s Global Learning Connection saw students travel over 23 million
virtual miles. This year, we want travel around the earth and maybe even reach
the sun! By tracking the miles or kilometers traveled virtually between
locations and sharing with us on the Global Learning Connection website and
on social media, everyone can contribute to this global learning mission.
We
know this year feels a little different for many students and educators.
Educators and students may be participating in this Global Learning Connection
from their classroom, or leveraging technology to connect from their homes to
their virtual classroom. Either way, Teams is a great solution to help bring
students together and connect across all points of the globe. This year we’ll
also be hosting global live events featuring very special guests at various
timeslots throughout the 48 hours. More on that shortly, but you’ll want to
follow us on Twitter @MicrosoftEDU and
#MSFTGlobalConnect to learn more about these exciting Teams live events.
