Science teacher speaks at global conference for Microsoft

A science teacher at The Portsmouth Academy says she is ‘ecstatic’ after being selected by Microsoft to deliver a presentation at a global conference in London.

H. Bellazrak, the digital learning ambassador at The Portsmouth Academy, delivered a Microsoft-focused talk at the Bett UK conference about how laptop devices are having a positive impact on children’s learning within her classroom.

The event held at the ExCeL London with a capacity of more than 4,000 people, brought educators, students, and businesses within the technology for education industry together for interactive sessions about embracing the digital world to empower learning.

Miss Bellazrak said: "It was an amazing experience to deliver two talks for Microsoft as a representative of the Thinking Schools Academy Trust. I feel ecstatic about the positive response I received and am really proud of what we’re achieving at The Portsmouth Academy, using digital one:one devices to close the digital divide within the city and help to make learning last."

The science teacher spoke about the various apps available from Microsoft that are used in everyday learning at the Academy. This included Microsoft’s Reading Progress app, Microsoft Speaker Coach, and Microsoft Reading Coach.

Details about what it means to be a Microsoft Showcase School – where schools join a global community of pioneering schools to offer their students inclusive experiences that inspire lifelong learning and instil future-ready skills to empower students to achieve more - were shared too.

Miss Bellazrak said: "It’s important to shout about the positive impact the software is having on how the pupils learn. These talks were delivered to other educators and people who are interested in implementing a robust digital strategy in their schools. Some attendees may be considering the use of laptop devices every day for their teaching, while others may already be on that journey. My talks focused on the benefits the devices have for the students.

"In Portsmouth, we have a very disadvantaged community with a very low reading age. There’s such a big focus on reading in the UK, as well as other topics, and having these devices and using the apps have really enhanced people’s ability to improve."

Natalie Sheppard, Director of Education at the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, said: "It’s fantastic to see Miss Bellazrak placing The Portsmouth Academy and our Trust on a worldwide stage to celebrate the fantastic work happening around digital education and closing the digital divide.

“When we created the digital city vision for Portsmouth, we had high hopes for what digital could do to help us provide a high quality and inclusive education for every child. It is amazing to see our family of schools contributing to this aspiration and sharing our practice locally, nationally and internationally.”