[1]The Upper Canada District School Board [2] (UCDSB) and Microsoft Canada [1] have formed an Education Alliance Agreement that will transform the education experience in the region and help to strengthen the local economy. This agreement is the first of its kind in Canada and will provide the UCDSB’s 30,000 students and 2449 teachers with access to leading-edge technology that will empower educators, enrich instruction, and help prepare students and communities join the 21stcentury workforce.
As part of the agreement, Microsoft Canada has committed to providing the UCDSB with a variety of software and educational resources. UCDSB schools will have access to the latest Microsoft software available in labs, classrooms, and on student PCs. Additionally, the full suite of Microsoft software design and development tools will be made available to all UCDSB computer science students. As a member of the Partners in Learning program, the UCDSB will also have access to a rich library of digital resources and lesson plans aimed at effectively supporting the use of technology in the classroom.
“We are looking forward to working together with Microsoft Canada to benefit from leading-edge technology that will create a more innovative teaching and learning environment and also help to ensure that our students are equipped with the necessary skills to succeed in the future,” says Jeremy Hobbs, Chief Information Officer, Upper Canada District School Board. “Education and digital literacy is crucial to the economic development and competitiveness of our region, and the UCDSB believes that technology in classrooms will help educators deliver transformational learning experiences.”
“Microsoft Canada is committed to helping transform classrooms and learning environments across the country through the strategic and creative use of technology,” says Shann McGrail, Director of Education, Microsoft Canada. “We are thrilled to be supporting students and educators from the Upper Canada District School Board, and we look forward to seeing first-hand the difference this technology is going to make in the schools and in surrounding communities.”