In this podcast episode, we’ve taken a different approach. Instead of focusing solely on a school’s user adoption methods, we’re looking at how the process can be made easier when you have a Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) in your ranks.
But what exactly is an MIE Expert and how can your school, multi-academy trust or organisation get one?
We spoke with Elaine Topham, Senior Learning Technologist at Grimsby Institute, MIE Expert and one of six UK-based MIE Fellows.
“An MIE is someone who has nominated themselves to join the Microsoft community of educators that work with Office 365,” Elaine tells us.
“The MIE Status recognises those who are using the latest Microsoft technology in their schools and classrooms to better learning and student outcomes.”
Elaine’s journey to becoming an MIE Expert is an incredible one:
“I’ve always been quite interested in technology; however, I didn’t have the best start – I left school at 15 with no qualifications, so it was quite difficult getting into work,” admits Elaine.
In 2001, she landed a work placement at Grimsby College, working with IT technicians to install computers around the campus and also supporting students who were studying Level 1 and Level 2 IT qualifications.
Several years later, she began working at community learning centres, supporting people who were also completing the IT course:
“I loved this role because it gave me the opportunity to work with people who had perhaps never used digital before – it was a really rewarding job.”
Elaine joined Grimsby Institute in 2010, working as a tutor and teaching IT Functional Skills to students.
“I spent five years in that role, but by this point, I felt that my skills were best suited to supporting teachers in grasping digital. For me, this has a big impact on the students’ learning experience,” she continues.
Today, she oversees the work that the innovation team does, administering VLE and ensuring all their staff have the right training and support they need to do their jobs well.
“Our goal is to make sure our staff are supported and can meet the demands of digital.”
Her recognition as an MIE came about after she was encouraged to apply for the programme by her manager:
“I hadn’t heard of the scheme before, but I looked it up and decided to apply. I put a lot of effort into my application, including all the ways I use Microsoft in my job.”
Elaine was accepted and has been an MIE Expert for almost four years now.
“You have to apply each year, answering questions about why you feel you’re an MIE, what tools you use, and how you share your knowledge beyond the classroom.”
The Microsoft Innovative Educators programme is all about building a community of educators that are willing to share best practice and techniques, so a lot of the benefits revolved around this powerful and well-connected community.
When you’re an MIE, you have a monthly connection call via Microsoft Teams with other MIEs, as well as being kept in the loop about early releases, product demonstrations and new features.
“It’s a global programme, so you get to meet and talk with people from all over the world and learn how they’re using technology in their roles as educators,” enthuses Elaine.
“Because we’re speaking regularly with Microsoft, we also get to guide some of the development of the products, letting them know what works best for us, what doesn’t and what we’d like to see next.”
As Elaine explains, having this kind of insight into the digital tools used throughout your school is invaluable:
“Digital moves so quickly, so being an MIE offers me a quicker way of getting the knowledge I need to be able to pass it onto the staff and students at Grimsby Institute. I’m able to know what’s coming out soon and even shape the future of some of the products to improve the learning experience of our students.”
You can find out more about being a Microsoft Innovative Educator here:
MIE Programs
MIE Expert Applications
There is no limit to the number of MIEs you can have at one organisation, anyone can apply and it’s completely free.
