An Evaluation of the Microsoft Partners in Learning (PiL) New Zealand Initiative

Abstract

This report is the first in a series of reports examining the efficacy and performance of a range of projects comprising the Microsoft Partners in Learning (NZ) initiative. Partners in Learning is an international programme funded by Microsoft, and has as its aims to:
1. 2. 3.

• Reduce the digital divide with regard to teacher and school access to ICT; Build skills to support ICT use in schools;
• Encourage more effective use of ICT in schools (Watson & Kilcher, 2004)

The long term objective of the programme internationally is to facilitate “significant educational and social change, through delivery of teacher training, technology tools, and ICT access to produce measurable benefits for schools, teachers and students” (Watson & Kilcher, 2004, p. 1).

This first report outlines the nature of the New Zealand version of this programme, provides a brief overview of the nature of projects operating within it, identifies and discusses the entry positions of key participants, and provides some early indicators of the way the projects are shaping up and how they appear, at this stage, to be compliant with the international goals for PiL.