If you have browsed school websites in Bengaluru East lately, you may
have noticed the phrase “Microsoft Showcase School.” It sounds
impressive, but what does it actually mean for a child sitting in a
classroom? Is it a marketing label, or does it change how children
learn?
This guide explains the Microsoft Showcase School
idea in plain language, based on what M S Dhoni Global School (MSDGS)
publishes about its participation, and offers a parent’s view on how to
evaluate any school’s technology claims. It is relevant to families in
Gunjur, Varthur and Sarjapur who are comparing CBSE schools. For wider
comparison, see our guide
to the best CBSE school in Bengaluru East.
What Is a Microsoft
Showcase School?
Microsoft runs a global programme that recognises schools which use
technology to transform teaching and learning, and which are willing to
share their practice with other schools. In simple terms, a Showcase
School is expected to be a model of how technology can be integrated
thoughtfully, not just installed.
According to its website, MSDGS is a partner in Microsoft’s Showcase
School programme and describes itself as one of the first schools in
India to take part. The school also says it can access products and
services provided by Microsoft under Microsoft’s Education
Transformation Framework, hosts education transformation workshops and
presents its work to schools and institutions abroad.
These are the school’s own statements, so it is sensible to ask the
school for details, such as the year of recognition and what is required
to maintain it.
The Tools Students and
Teachers Use
The MSDGS page on the programme lists the following Microsoft
products:
- Office 365 for documents, presentations and
collaboration - OneNote for digital notebooks
- OneDrive for cloud storage
- Microsoft Teams for communication, assignments and
virtual classrooms - Surface devices and Windows as the
underlying hardware and system
The school says Microsoft’s products are offered to students,
teachers and parents. Combined with multimedia boards in classrooms and
dedicated science, maths, computer and robotics labs, this forms the
school’s digital learning environment.
What these tools do in
practice
- Office 365 allows children to write reports, make
slides and work together on shared documents, building communication and
organisation skills. - OneNote acts as a digital notebook where children
can combine text, images and handwriting, and where teachers can share
resources. - OneDrive keeps work safe in the cloud so that
homework is not lost. - Teams supports collaboration and communication
between teachers, students and sometimes parents. It also allows
learning to continue when the class cannot meet in person.
Teacher Training:
The Part That Matters Most
Technology only helps when teachers know how to use it well. The
school states that its faculty complete training to earn a three-level
certification as Microsoft Innovative Educators, with training, webinars
and events led by Microsoft Innovative Educators.
When you evaluate a school, teacher training is one of the most
important signals. Ask:
- How many teachers are certified?
- How often do they take refresher training?
- How do teachers share what they learn with colleagues?
- How is the impact on student learning measured?
What Students Can Access
The school says that students have access to:
- Premium Microsoft certification courses for career-building skills,
with guidance to pursue their interests - Free webinars by industry leaders and a video lecture gallery
- Opportunities to contribute ideas on digital transformation through
Microsoft Teams - Participation in global events
Ask the school which of these are available to which grades, since
access may differ between primary and secondary students.
What a Showcase School
Does Not Mean
A balanced view helps you avoid unrealistic expectations.
It does not
mean children are on screens all day
A purposeful school uses technology where it helps and puts it away
where it does not. Reading, writing, drawing, sport and play remain
essential. Our guide to screen time and tech in
primary school offers a framework for judging balance.
It does not guarantee
academic results
Technology is a tool. Learning outcomes depend on teaching quality,
curriculum design, student effort and family support.
It does not replace teachers
The best use of technology amplifies good teaching. It does not
substitute for the human relationship between teacher and child.
It is not the only thing
that matters
Safety, values, sport, arts and transport all shape a child’s
experience. Look at the whole school. See our parent’s
checklist.
Benefits for Children
When used well, a technology-rich environment can:
- Make learning visual and interactive. Simulations,
videos and digital tools help children understand abstract ideas. - Encourage collaboration. Shared documents and group
projects build teamwork. - Develop digital literacy. Children learn to create,
organise and communicate using tools they will meet again in college and
work. - Support personalised learning. Teachers can share
resources at different levels and track progress. - Build confidence. Children enjoy producing polished
work and sharing it with an audience. - Connect with the wider world. Global events and
webinars expose children to ideas beyond their classroom.
Questions
Parents Should Ask About Data and Safety
When schools use digital platforms, children’s data and online safety
matter.
- What student information is stored, and where?
- Who can see my child’s work and data?
- How are accounts protected?
- How does the school teach safe, respectful online behaviour?
- What are the rules on device use at school and at home?
- How can I monitor or limit my child’s online activity?
A good school will welcome these questions and provide clear
answers.
How This Fits Into
the Rest of the School
MSDGS describes a technology-first campus, but also places weight on
experiential learning, sports, arts, values and community. It lists STEM
and robotics, Leader In Me, music, dance, yoga and a sports academy
among its offerings. Read about the other pillars in STEM and robotics for kids, the Leader In Me
programme and school with a sports
academy in Bengaluru East.
How to See It in Action
During a school visit, ask to:
- Sit in on a lesson that uses technology
- See students’ digital work, such as presentations or OneNote
notebooks - Meet a teacher who has completed Microsoft training
- Visit the computer and robotics labs
- Ask how parents access school communication
Take notes, compare with other schools, and use our scorecard
for comparing CBSE schools.
Supporting Technology
Learning at Home
You do not need advanced skills to support your child.
- Ask your child to show you what they made on the computer.
- Set shared family rules for device use.
- Encourage typing and basic document skills when
age-appropriate. - Keep devices in shared spaces, not bedrooms.
- Balance screen work with outdoor play and reading.
What a Day With
These Tools Might Look Like
To make the idea concrete, imagine a Class 5 science project on
plants. The teacher shares the project brief through Teams, and each
group opens a shared document in Office 365. Over two weeks, children
plant seeds, record growth in OneNote with photographs and handwritten
notes, and compare their findings in a simple chart. On presentation
day, each group shares a short slide deck with the class. Parents can
later see the final work.
In this example, the plants and the observation are real, and the
technology helps children organise, collaborate and communicate. That is
the spirit parents should look for: the tool serves the learning. The
school’s website does not describe specific lesson plans, so ask
teachers for examples at your child’s grade.
Preparing
Your Child for a Digital Learning Environment
If your child is moving to a technology-supported school, a little
preparation helps.
- Practise basic skills. Typing a few words, opening
and saving a file, and using a mouse or touch screen are enough to begin
with. - Talk about responsibility. Explain that school
devices need care and that online behaviour should be kind and
safe. - Encourage patience. New tools can be confusing at
first, and mistakes are part of learning. - Keep a balance. Continue reading paper books,
drawing and playing outdoors.
Teachers are used to supporting children at every skill level, so
there is no need for children to arrive as experts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MSDGS a Microsoft
Showcase School?
The school states on its website that it is a partner in Microsoft’s
Showcase School programme and one of the first in India to join. For
details such as the year of recognition, please ask the school.
Which Microsoft tools do
students use?
The school lists Office 365, OneNote, OneDrive, Surface devices,
Windows and Microsoft Teams.
Are teachers certified?
The school says its faculty undertake training towards a three-level
certification as Microsoft Innovative Educator Trainers. Ask the school
for current numbers.
Will my child need a
personal device?
The website does not specify. Ask the admissions office about device
policies for each grade.
Visit and Ask
Technology is best judged in person. Contact the school at
+91-7599507777 or send an admission
enquiry, and read the school’s own Microsoft Showcase School page
before you go.
