Microsoft announces participation at GESS 2011

Microsoft Gulf today announced that it will showcase its latest academic software at GESS 2011 (Gulf Educational Supplies and Solutions), the Middle East's premier educational supply and solutions event. The technology vendor's presence at the event is in line with its efforts to expand the power of education through technology to unlock the potential of students, educators and schools. Microsoft’s presence at GESS will also be enhanced with partners like HP, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and IT Worx who will have a presence on the Microsoft stand.

GESS 2011 takes place from May 3-5, 2011 at the Airport Expo Centre, Dubai in which Microsoft will showcase a wide range of its educational offerings including new solutions such as Microsoft Interactive Classroom, Window Live Movie Maker, Microsoft Mouse Mischief and its Live@edu solution.

On this occasion, Azza Shinawy, Education Lead, Microsoft Gulf, said: "Microsoft believes in the transformative power of technology in education to create social and economic opportunity. Microsoft takes a holistic and long-term approach to supporting education and is working closely with governments, educators, parents and students in the region to develop IT solutions that will increase access to quality education and improve learning outcomes. GESS 2011 is the perfect platform to demonstrate our offerings for the education sector and showcase how access to technology can improve the quality of teaching as well as the learning experience for students of all ages.”

Conor McCarthy, Vice-President, Business Development, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt said: “HMH is delighted to exhibit for the first time at GESS alongside Microsoft. As a global education leader, we recognize the Middle East region as an important market this year and beyond. At GESS 2011, we are proud to unveil Pinpoint - the only fully integrated end-to-end educational platform on the market. We will also be showcasing a number of innovative digital K-12 products, including the celebrated Destination and Edmark series, Earobics and Skills Tutor.

"This year at GESS we are showcasing how ITWorx CLG (Connected Learning Gateway) stands out remarkably in the learning management systems’ market, not only in the Gulf but worldwide too. On the one hand, the platform combines a unique, engaging and easy-to-use multilingual interface with the latest social networking capabilities, including the most advanced tools for teaching, learning and school management. On the other hand, the platform's nativity to Microsoft SharePoint 2010 makes it easy to operate and customisable with personalisation features that accommodate the diverse needs of schools. Being designed for mobile learning, cloud hosting, integration with Live@edu, and integration with different School Information Systems (SISs), CLG is already witnessing huge uptake in nationwide deployments in the UAE’s Ministry of Education schools as well as in private Saudi and Qatari schools," commented Magdy ElKomy, Business Development Manager, Education.

The Microsoft Live@edu program provides higher education and K–12 institutions with a set of free hosted communications services for students, faculty and alumni. By signing up for Live@edu, the schools gain access to Microsoft Office Outlook Live for e-mail and calendars, Office Web Apps to share documents and collaborate, Windows Live SkyDrive for 25 GB of online data storage space, Windows Live Messenger for instant messaging and video chat, and mobile e-mail.

The Microsoft Interactive Classroom is an education add-in for Office 2007 or 2010 that bridges lessons delivered in PowerPoint to students using and OneNote in 1:1 classroom settings or large lecture environments. It enhances the learning experience by increasing student engagement and supporting agile teaching practices.

Microsoft Mouse Mischief integrates into Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 and Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007, letting teachers insert questions, polls, and drawing activity slides into their  lessons. Students can actively participate in these lessons by using their own mice to click, circle, cross out, or draw answers on the screen. Windows Live Movie Maker on the other hand is a  fast, easy solution to turn photos and videos into great-looking movies and slide shows teachers can share with their class, on the Web, or on DVDs.