Every year Microsoft acknowledges exceptional visionary teachers who have introduced innovative technologies in imaginative ways into the curriculum to support students and improve learning outcomes for tomorrow.

Scientist and teacher Mr Michael Fenton was chosen as one of four teachers to represent New Zealand at the Microsoft Asia Pacific Innovative Teachers Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2009. The purpose of this event was to:

• Recognise recipients of the Innovative Teachers Leadership Awards from participating Asia Pacific countries.
• Promote international sharing of innovative practices of technology integration.
• Provide networking opportunities among top innovators.
• Focus international attention on the importance of technology innovation in education

Innovation = invention x exploitation The goal of innovation is positive change; to make someone better or adding value to existing processes or products "Often the words creativity and innovation are used interchangeably. They shouldn't be, because while creativity implies coming up with ideas, it's the "bringing ideas to life" . . . that makes innovation the distinct undertaking it is."

Innovation in education

A high standard of innovative adaptation is achieved when computers

• Combine many different kinds of data in a unique format
• Connect new tools of communication with the learning process
• Assist, expand, complement and accelerate human thought

Conference Theme: Empower, Enact, Engage: Becoming Agents of Change

Economic, ecological, social, political and cultural integration across nation states combined with the rapid advancement of technology have brought about transformations that are part of globalisation. Regardless of our location, we face a common destiny; where the unfolding of an event in one part of the world affects lives in other parts.

In such a new world order, our children and young people have to be prepared to be agents of change rather than just passive observers of world events. The Regional Innovative Teachers' Conference this year aims to engage its participants in conversations about such preparation in schools; and hence, the theme Empower, Enact, Engage: Becoming Agents of Change.

Engagement is paramount for learning success; where engagement entails mindfulness, intrinsic motivation, cognitive effort and attention. By undervaluing the rich and complex processes of learning for engagement, classroom activities that require active inquiry and deep conceptual understanding may become scarce in schools.

Learning for engagement then has to involve teachers and school leaders in empowering their students to critically examine real world issues and phenomena and providing them with opportunities to act upon them locally.