“That’s one of the best uses for AI in an academic setting,” Evans says, “because sometimes you can read a paragraph five times and still not understand until the concept is explained in a different way.” 

Generative AI is opening up all sorts of new avenues for learning, from personalized tutoring to study guides. But as with any technology, it’s helpful to know its strengths and limitations before diving in.  

We talked with some students, parents and educators who’ve embraced the new tools for tips on how to use AI responsibly at every level to enhance learning and avoid potential pitfalls.   

“The key,” says Matt Hall, a professor in Texas, “is two words: Use it. And once you’re done using it, use it again. Use it as early as possible, and learn to become a good prompt writer. Using AI is a basic life skill now, and if you’re not using it, you’ll be at a competitive disadvantage.”   

Younger learners

Elementary school-aged students can benefit from AI-powered programs to help learn the fundamentals such as reading and math.

Elementary school-aged students can benefit from programs that are powered by AI as they focus on building foundational skills. Aren Uzun, a 12-year-old seventh-grader in California, uses Reading Coach after school to help him practice reading and speaking — and says he is getting higher grades as a result.  

Ava Gerlach, a 10-year-old fifth-grader in Florida, is learning about AI in Minecraft Education to get more comfortable with the new technology and the ways it can help her learn in the future. 

What AI can help students do

Tools like Reading Coach—part of Learning Accelerators—can help kids boost their confidence by practicing skills with a less intimidating audience, such as before reading out loud in front of the whole class, says Aren’s mom, Cigdem Patlak Uzun. Aren is more comfortable presenting to others and is more willing to take the risk of sharing ideas now that he can test the waters first with secure AI coaches built for learning, she says. 

“For some of my presentations I got lower grades, so I wanted to see exactly what I was doing wrong,” Aren says. Reading Coach showed “that I was speaking too fast and said some words incorrectly, so it helped me fix that.” 

There’s value in learning how to learn and how to constantly grow with these new tools.

James Evans

Ava says she was first introduced to the concept of AI through Minecraft Education’s Hour of Code last year, and now she can spout off an explanation at the drop of a hat: “AI is basically a human-made technology that helps people with real-world problems,” she says. 

“I will probably use it as a fifth-grader to help me with research, studying and understanding the steps to math equations,” Ava says. “Especially going back to school now, I’m going to need a refresher on long division.”

Tips for using AI in learning

Kids need to learn the fundamentals first and focus on ways to build their skills with AI tools, Aren says. “You shouldn’t be using AI to figure out how to do the beginning of something,” he says. “Like, if you’re learning what 1+1 is, and AI tells you the answer is 2 but you don’t know why, then later there could be a test on what is 198+275 and you wouldn’t know how to calculate it. It’s better to use it for something that will help you forever, like how to improve your writing skills and do research for new ideas.” 

The personalized guidance in Reading Coach helps keep students engaged — “almost like getting a personal tutor with one-on-one instruction,” Patlak Uzun says. Aren urges fellow students not to share personal information, such as an age or address, online and says younger kids generally should use AI alongside an adult. A recent 4H study backs that up, showing that 72% of the kids surveyed are seeking support from adults in learning how to use these new tools correctly and with confidence. 

Minecraft Education has given Ava a way “to explore things in a safe context,” says Ava’s mom, Holly Gerlach. “And she’s learning about the principles of creating with AI and thinking about inclusivity, privacy and security.” 

High school years

Teens can benefit from AI tools that help build skills such as information literacy and how to validate sources.

As kids get more involved with technology and start using AI, tools such as Search Coach can help by teaching information literacy and how to validate sources. Those are foundational skills students need now, says Isabelle Armstrong, a 16-year-old high school student near Perth, Australia. 

What AI can help students do

Isabelle says Search Coach has helped her narrow down her prompts to be more specific, so now she gets more relevant and trustworthy answers from AI. That, in turn, has taught her how to be more concise and precise with the essays she writes for English classes. “I’m a bit of a rambler,” she says, “so this is helping me get more clear with what I’m saying and get to the point.” 

AI tools can help generate ideas and assist with research, Isabelle says. “It helps kickstart the process and guide me so I’m not looking at the wrong things,” she says. 

“Using AI to brainstorm can help the students work smarter, not harder,” says Kylie Kingdon, who teaches remote classes for kids spread out all over Western Australia, including Isabelle’s modern history class. Kingdon uses Copilot in class to show students various prompts and responses and help them ascertain “what’s good and what’s not. They can see what my prompts are and the answer that’s come out, and that prepares them for the future.”  

The skill of learning how to use AI effectively is helpful throughout a student’s education, Kingdon says — such as realizing that if you only ask for information about “President Roosevelt” for the U.S. history class she teaches, you could get back an answer about Theodore when you meant Franklin. 

AI is basically a human-made technology that helps people with real-world problems.

Ava Gerlach

Search Coach also instructs students in how to evaluate sources, Isabelle says, to get more reliable and less biased information. “We learned the difference between .com and .org and other different domains,” she says. “It’s good to see your searching habits and where you can improve and maybe branch out to different websites or domains, or change what words you use to get different answers. It helps to see your patterns. 

“That’s helped me refine what I’m looking for to get better results.”

Tips for using AI in learning

Use AI as an aid to help learn subjects, but not to produce final coursework, the student and teacher both say. “You need to utilize it in a way that helps you build the skills, not just to get the work done,” Isabelle says.  

AI tools won’t be available in every setting, such as exams, so it’s important to know how to do assignments yourself, she says. “Don’t rely on it as a crutch.” 

It’s all about the process for her students, Kingdon adds. “It’s no longer the final result that’s important,” she says, “but giving them the tools to do all of this.”

Higher education

Older students can benefit from AI’s help with the more intense courseloads—as well as with life skills such as meal planning.

College and university students will find that AI can help them both in and out of the classroom, as they’re hit with intense courseloads as well as the complexity of stepping out of the childhood nest into adulthood, says Evans, the 21-year-old student from Florida who’s moving to Pennsylvania to start on a master’s degree in business analytics. 

What AI can help students do

In addition to reframing complicated concepts to help him better grasp them, Evans uses AI to help create study guides or practice tests, to brainstorm essay ideas and the best structures for presentations, and to research topics. 

Students now need to synthesize massive amounts of data in short periods of time, says Hall, the professor in Texas. Using Copilot for Microsoft 365—with permission from everyone participating—to record, transcribe and summarize classes and meetings can be a huge help with that, he says. It’s also worth asking Copilot to condense reports that might be hundreds of pages long into the key points, to see if the information is relevant to a study topic and worth spending the time to fully read. 

AI tools can help students learn the language of unfamiliar subjects and industries, such as helping Evans talk about warehouses, shipping and logistics for a business class. And that, along with knowing how to use new technology in general, could be valuable in landing an internship or that first job, he says. 

For school projects that require creativity, Copilot can be “a pull-start lawnmower to get you going,” Hall says.  

Using AI is a basic life skill now, and if you’re not using it, you’ll be at a competitive disadvantage.

Matt Hall

Evans says AI is helpful outside the classroom, too—especially for university students living away from their parents and “trying to figure out the logistics of life,” including activities like meal planning.  

“One of the biggest things you hear everywhere is, ‘never stop learning; always be learning something new,’” Evans says. “There’s value in learning how to learn and how to constantly grow with these new tools, because we’re on the precipice and seeing this major change with technology.”  

Tips for using AI in learning

Don’t use AI to write your schoolwork, Evans and Hall advise. Even though AI can write, it won’t have your voice or style, Evans says, and those are important to put out in the world. “We view AI as a co-creator or referential tool,” Hall says. “Don’t cheat yourself out of the learning journey.” 

Evans recommends learning how to do something yourself before getting AI to help with it, to make sure you can assess if the final product is accurate and good. 

Trust but verify, they both say. Use tools such as Copilot that provide sources and citations along with their answers, Hall says, to help with veracity checks. “At the end of the day, I’m the one who needs to make sure the information in my presentation is right,” Evans says. “And I need to learn these lessons before I get to the corporate world.” 

Learn how to talk with other students about AI as well, Evans says. Some will be more comfortable than others using it for help with group projects. 

Most importantly: how students use AI in the classroom will probably continue to evolve as quickly as technology itself. “Next semester my answers could change,” Evans says, “because we’re still learning it, and learning how to use it, and it’s changing with us.”

Photos, from top to bottom: Aren Uzun at Meadow Park Elementary School in Irvine, California (photo by Earnie Grafton); Ava Gerlach (photo courtesy of Holly Gerlach); Isabelle Armstrong (photo courtesy of Armstrong); James Evans (photo courtesy of Evans)

The post Smart ways students are using AI appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

The game allows kids aged 8 or older to challenge a friend, neighbor, family member, or themselves. Players can complete fun challenge tasks from a variety of categories including:

• English Language Arts
• Art and music
• Social Studies
• Science
• Math
• Coding

These tasks are designed to reach and engage every learner, from aspiring coders to reluctant comic artists. Keep learning going this summer with our free Leaps and Logs game! Download Leaps and Logs to get started with summer learning activities from Microsoft Education.

Play digitally or on paper

The learning activities in Leaps and Logs can be completed by students of most ages (age 8 or older recommended). Players may aim to complete one or two rounds of play a day, continuing their game play until the start of the new school year.

Leaps and Logs is versatile and can be played digitally or on paper. Full game directions and a game board can be found by downloading Leaps and Logs.

• Playing digitally involves downloading the game board and task lists then uploading them into Microsoft Whiteboard.
• Playing on paper involves downloading and printing the game board. The challenge tasks can also be printed, but students will need a digital version to access the embedded links.

Also, check out some tips for sharing the game with students in our blog post Leap into summer learning with a game from Microsoft.

Join the fun and continue learning

To help you get started, we’re highlighting a few of the fun learning activities in the Leaps and Logs game. Explore ways kids can have a blast while letting their creativity shine as they learn and grow!

Create a comic book in 5 easy steps

Try your hand at creating your own manga-style comic book. Dazzle your friends and family with thousands of graphics and animations that make your comic come alive!

1. Create a short outline of your story or brainstorm a storyline with Microsoft Copilot.¹
2. Open the Microsoft PowerPoint comic template.
3. Go to New Slide and select a comic layout.
4. Customize your frames with colors, characters, and text.
5. Share your story!

Build your own instrument and hold a concert

Express your musical creativity by building a musical instrument using items you have at home. Then set the stage and entertain everyone with your DIY creation!

1. Ask Copilot¹ for steps to build your favorite instrument or get inspiration from homemade musical instruments other people have made.
2. Gather the supplies and items you’ll need to make the instrument.
3. Follow the steps to build your instrument.
4. Test your instrument by playing a song.
5. Hold a concert or recital!

Create a plan to improve your community

Enhance your neighborhood by making plans to improve your community. Learn how to create an action plan with the Neighborhood Good game from iCivics.

1. Visit https://www.icivics.org/games/neighborhood-good
2. Select “New Game.”
3. Pick an issue that resonates with you and your community.
4. Make a plan of action by playing the game and then choosing the Who, What, and How details.
5. Share your plan with people in your community!

Recreate a famous landmark in Minecraft Education

Explore the world by researching famous landmarks. Use Seach Coach in Microsoft Teams for Education learn about a landmark and build a digital version of it in Minecraft Education.

1. Choose a famous landmark you want to learn more about.
2. With your school account, use Search Coach in Microsoft Teams for Education to research the landmark.
3. Plan your replica from at least two different angles on paper.
4. Explore and build the landmark with the Replicating Landmarks world from Minecraft Education.
5. Share what you learned by building it with your friends and family!

Continue learning all summer long with these fun and engaging activities. Curious about the other challenge tasks included in Leaps and Logs? Explore the game to see how students can build AI-powered inventions in Minecraft Hour of Code: Generation AI, personalize their own story using Reading Coach online, or organize a trip within a specific budget using Microsoft Copilot.¹ There are a variety of tasks to choose from that will encourage students to be creative and think critically.

Keep kids entertained this summer and help them prepare for a new school year with our free Leaps and Logs game! Download Leaps and Logs to get started with summer learning activities from Microsoft Education.

¹ Students under 18 years of age will not have access to Microsoft Copilot and will need adult supervision to access these activities.

The post Extend summer learning with a free game from Microsoft appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Reading Coach, available in public preview, provides personalized and engaging reading fluency practice. It features safe, one-of-a-kind AI-generated stories, access to fully accessible Immersive Reader, targeted practice on challenging words, and rewards that keep learners inspired and motivated. Reading Coach can help your students practice reading throughout the school year—and all summer long!

How to use Reading Coach

Follow these quick steps to help students get started with Reading Coach online in any browser. Reading Coach is also available by downloading the Windows app.

1. Go to https://coach.microsoft.com/webapp
2. Sign in with your Microsoft personal account as an individual learner at home or with your school account (if your school has enabled Reading Coach). Note: School IT leaders can enable Reading Coach by signing up for the preview and following the enablement instructions. Students or educators can then sign in with their school Microsoft account.
3. Explore, practice, and enjoy!

Try these features in Reading Coach to challenge and engage students:

• Let students choose what happens in each story chapter, charting their own reading journey through the AI-generated story.
• Provide choice through fiction and non-fiction passages in the leveled library.
• Support all learners by using the fully accessible Immersive Reader.
• Boost learning with coaching on challenging words.
• Personalize reading by adding your own content for students to read based on their interests.
• Watch as students check out their progress and earn badges, unlocking new characters and settings for the next story.

Learn more and get started with our Reading Coach with AI Stories quick guide.

Three modes in Reading Coach for endless reading possibilities

Reading Coach offers students three reading modes, including generating a story with AI, reading a passage from its digital library, or using text from an article or textbook.

• “Create a story” mode features 15 main characters, ranging from dogs to dragons, and seven diverse locations. Students choose one character and one location, then set their reading level, from kindergarten to middle school. With these selections, the AI generates a complete story with a captivating beginning, middle, and ending. AI-generated story content is moderated for content quality, safety, and age appropriateness following Microsoft’s Responsible AI Standard.
• “Read a passage” mode provides students with a digital library powered by Readworks. The library is categorized by Lexile level and word count, allowing students at all stages of reading proficiency to access text and improve their reading fluency.
• “Add a passage” mode enables students to add their own text from articles, textbooks, or other sources. This supports reading any passage and offers students practice on challenging words within that text.

Join the Reading Coach Summer Reading Quest

Looking for an exciting way to keep your students reading all summer long? Bingo! Encourage your students to take the Reading Coach Summer Reading Quest to meet their summer reading practice goals and earn exclusive stickers and posters!

Here’s how it works:

Download the resources.

• Access the Reading Coach Summer Reading Quest bingo card and related information, available in four languages, in the Reading Coach Materials OneDrive folder.
• Find everything you need to help students and families get started, including instructions, email templates, and additional resources.

Engage in summer reading.

• Have students read and complete tasks from their bingo board throughout the summer.
• Each task focuses students on a different aspect of reading including repetition, consistency, performance, word practice, and real-world reading.

Log your classroom’s activity.

• At the start of the new school year, fill out a form to log your classroom’s reading activity and request swag.

Stay tuned for more!

• To stay tuned for updates and get swag for completing the quest, join the Reading Coach Educator Community or the Reading Coach Family Community.

Whether you’re in the northern hemisphere enjoying summer break or elsewhere in the world, Reading Coach is an excellent tool to provide students with personalized and engaging reading fluency practice and real-time coaching. Join us in the Reading Coach Summer Reading Quest to support your students’ summer reading practice. Learn more about how to get started with Reading Coach in the Build reading fluency with Reading Coach training module on Microsoft Learn.

The post Boost summer literacy skills with Reading Coach appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Microsoft, leveraging the potential of AI and computing skills, is dedicated to ensuring every learner, irrespective of background or circumstance, has access to top-quality educational opportunities. Through a range of products, partnerships, content, and curriculum, Microsoft supports educators in sparking students’ interest and preparing them for the future.

Initiatives such as the Microsoft Imagine Cup Junior competition play a pivotal role in introducing new technology concepts and fostering critical thinking among students. With a focus on personalized learning experiences, these programs cater to diverse student needs and interests, empowering educators to guide their students towards success.

What is Imagine Cup Junior?

Now in its fifth year, Microsoft Imagine Cup Junior (ICJ) 2024 offers a platform for students aged 5-18 to showcase their skills on a global stage. This year introduces a new Tech for Good category challenge aimed at younger students ages 5-12, providing tailored lessons to inspire them to engage with technology for positive change. Meanwhile, the AI for Good competition category includes students ages 13-18.

During ICJ, educators use Microsoft’s resources to introduce AI technologies, guiding students to apply their learning to real-world challenges. The competition not only promotes AI awareness and knowledge but also serves as a steppingstone for students interested in pursuing careers in technology.

We are delighted by the remarkable competition entries from students in over 100 countries, showcasing their creative project ideas and solutions enabled with AI. As we celebrate these students’ achievements, it’s clear that initiatives like Imagine Cup Junior foster innovation and empower students to build skills needed for a digital society and expand their opportunities to address global issues using technology

Christina Thoresen, Director, Worldwide Public Sector Education, Microsoft

Celebrating innovation: Meet the winning teams

The top 10 winning teams in the Imagine Cup Junior 2024 AI for Good global competition are listed below in alphabetical order:

• DuoVision, Turkey: MemoirAI, an AI-based specialized autobiography assistant, preserves personal histories by blending verbal narratives with integrated audio and visual data, creating a permanent repository of human experience.
• IntelliLex, Vietnam: IntelliLex, a personalized, automated AI system, supports dyslexic children in overcoming challenges and improving learning outcomes.
• Milky Way, Vietnam: The Milky Way project preserves and promotes the value of intangible cultural heritage through interactive maps, timelines, categories, filters, and recommendations
• Ocean Guardian, China: Ocean Guardian’s AI-assisted coral reef restoration system plans the best path for an underwater robot to repair coral reefs with minimal damage to marine life.
• Rainbow Soldiers, South Africa: Rainbow Soldiers’ application connects people around a cultural group and encourages people to share their experiences.
• Stroke of Luck, Malaysia: Stroke of Luck’s battery-operated device is surgically placed in the body to aid stroke patients in recovery and rehabilitation by recognizing, capturing, storing, receiving, and sending information in the form of electrical impulses via AI.
• Team Mustang, United States: Team Mustang’s project provides early and accurate diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) involving the development of a convolutional neural network capable of analyzing abdominal ultrasound images to determine whether the liver is malignant or benign.
• The Exhausted Dreamers, Singapore: The Exhausted Dreamers’ computer vision AI detects and labels car parts, sorting them based on recyclability and value, and sending the coordinates of the part location to a robot arm for retrieval.
• To the Top, Saudi Arabia: To the Top utilizes AI to solve the problem of unpleasant odors emanating from tertiary treatment plants, sewage water, and eliminates the negative impact on air pollution and the health of citizens.
• VocAI, United States: VocAI’s AI app generates clear and natural speech for people with hearing loss and provides self-training for improving speech quality.

The top winning team in the Imagine Cup Junior 2024 Tech for Good global competition is listed below:

• Dr. MediBud, Vietnam: Dr. Medibud is an AI doctor that gives anyone in the world access to regular, effective, and inexpensive health checkups and monitoring on their phone by leveraging large language models and retrieval augmented generation (RAG).

Honorable mentions for the Tech for Good competition include:

• Fit Buddy Smartwatch, Malaysia: Fit Buddy Smartwatch by STEM Titans for children that leverages AI to track activity, meals, and to provide education regarding healthy choices.
• Shield, India: Shield is a system created through a network of notes using Internet of things (IoT) Street cameras, road cameras, and other internet-connected cameras to leverage AI facial recognition to identify the thousands of missing people who are victimized by human trafficking. 
• Skin Safe, Vietnam: Skin Safe is an AI app that detects skin issues using a smartphone camera, connecting people with reliable skin care service providers.
• SOS, Kuwait: SOS is an app that can help in identifying and protecting endangered species by allowing users to report sightings, learn about conservation efforts, and connect with nearby nature reserves all through the use of the camera on their phones and Computer Vision API, Bing Maps API, Azure Notification Hubs, and more.

Prepare for the workplace of the future

Moving forward, it’s crucial for educators, policymakers, and communities to collaborate in equipping students with the skills needed to navigate the workplace of the future. By embracing learning that cultivates critical thinking, problem-solving, and well-being, we can prepare students to shape meaningful futures in the era of AI.

The success stories from around the world demonstrate the transformative impact of introducing emerging technologies into education. Microsoft Imagine Cup Junior exemplifies the power of empowering students to thrive and succeed in tomorrow’s world.

Explore resources for building AI skills

Learn more about key skills and tools critical for future success by exploring these resources. 

• For students: Microsoft Learn Student Hub, Minecraft Hour of Code: Generation AI, Microsoft MakeCode, and Hacking STEM.
• For educators: AI for educators, AI for education: Resources and learning opportunities, and Smart learning: AI resources every educator should know.

The post Congratulations to the Imagine Cup Junior 2024 winners! appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

In this summer learning game, players take on challenges across various subjects including English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Coding, and Arts/Music. After completing each activity, players share their newfound knowledge or creations with fellow players or family members, ensuring that learning goes beyond just ticking off boxes on a list.

The free summer learning activities in Leaps and Logs can be completed by students of most ages (age 8 or older recommended). Whether students try to build AI-powered inventions in Minecraft Hour of Code: Generation AI, personalize their own story using Reading Coach online, or organize a trip within a specific budget using Microsoft Copilot, there are a variety of tasks to choose from that will encourage students to be creative and think critically. Players may aim to complete one or two rounds of play a day, extending their game play throughout the summer.

Two ways to play Leaps and Logs

Students can engage with Leaps and Logs in two different ways: digitally or on paper (with access to a device for embedded task links). Full game directions and a game board can be found by downloading Leaps and Logs.

The free summer learning activities in the Leaps and Logs game encourage students to be creative and think critically.

Playing digitally

• Download the game board and task lists and upload them as a document into Microsoft Whiteboard. To upload, select “New Whiteboard” then select “Document” from the lower panel. Find the Leaps and Logs Game file that was downloaded, then select the gameboard page.
• Change the title of the whiteboard by selecting the dropdown arrow next to “Whiteboard” and typing in the text box. When renaming is complete, select the checkmark in the text box to save your new title.
• In the whiteboard, select shapes or upload images from the side panel to use as moveable game pieces.
• Roll one die using this digital dice roller. Be sure to unselect Dice 2 and Dice 3 to roll just one die.

Upload the Leaps and Logs gameboard to Microsoft Whiteboard and use shapes or images as game pieces.

Playing on paper

• Download and print the game board. The challenge tasks can also be printed, but students will need a digital version to access the embedded links.
• Assign players game pieces or small objects to move around the printed gameboard.
• Use one six-sided die (or this digital dice roller) to determine the number of spaces to move.
• Ensure that the gameboard and pieces are kept in a safe place where they won’t be moved or use a pencil to mark where each player ended their turn.

How to share with students

Whether your classroom is still buzzing with activity or students have already left for the school year, here are some ways you can share the Leaps and Logs summer learning game with students and families.

• Share the link to this blog post with families at end of the year events.
• Post information about the game on a classroom website, school social media page, or Microsoft Teams for Education announcement.
• Provide students with a printed copy of the game and instructions on how to access Leaps and Logs.
• Add the link to this blog post to your classroom or school newsletter.
• Help students begin game play as individuals, in pairs, or small groups to start their journey.

Keep learning going and kids entertained this summer with our free Leaps and Logs game! Download Leaps and Logs to get started with summer learning activities from Microsoft Education.

The post Leap into summer learning with a game from Microsoft appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Ashley would go on to compete in two Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) U.S. National Championships. She also won first place nationwide for Word and Excel at a Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) competition. During her senior year, she received an invitation to become a Student Ambassador for the 2018 MOS World Championship, and it was there that she addressed a room full of participants from 52 different countries. 

Earning verified expertise for in-demand jobs

After she won her first competition with the FBLA, she was offered a full-time job at just 15 years old, “Thankfully, my dad and my grandpa drove me to work every day for the month and a half that I didn’t have my driver’s license and I was able to work at that job for almost two and a half years. And so, before I left for college, I got two and a half years of real-world experience and started building my confidence and my network.” 

Then, at age 19, Ashley landed her dream job at Microsoft, working full-time while she continued her education at Washington State University. She would later graduate with a master’s degree in business administration. 

In college, a lot of my friends would say ‘How do you set yourself apart during an interview?’ or even on a résumé because some people don’t even get to do the interview. You have to find what sets you apart, and Microsoft Certification is exactly that.

Ashley Masters, MBA, Student Ambassador, 2018 MOS World Championship 

Ashley is now part of a growing number of students, educators, workers, and employers who have recognized the significant impact of certifications, not just during interviews but throughout a person’s entire career, leading to more recognition, improved job satisfaction, and better performance. 

You, too, can become job-ready and future-proof by unlocking essential skills in data, AI, and other in-demand skill sets. Go to Microsoft Learn to start expanding your skill set today and visit Microsoft Credentials to get your skills validated. 

Employers are putting skills first

Recent LinkedIn data shows that around 1 in 5 jobs in the U.S. no longer require a 4-year degree. Employers are realizing that they can tap into much larger talent pools by screening for the skills they need rather than the degrees an applicant has earned. This skills-first approach values what a candidate can do and their willingness to learn above all else, and it has allowed forward-thinking companies to access millions of alternatively skilled workers to fill job roles.  

Certifications are an especially great way for new graduates to stand out from other candidates with similar educational backgrounds when pursuing their dream jobs. The certification badge provides benefits for an applicant, including: 

• Tangible proof of meeting industry standards.  
• Demonstration of commitment to continuous learning. 
• Higher earning potential due to validated experience.  

A certificate tells the world that the person is a problem solver, which is precisely what companies are looking for. Bruce Beuzard IV became the MOS U.S. National Excel Champion in 2019 and he applied for his first job as a Data Center Technician at Amazon Web Services that same year. He got the job, and soon word of his expertise got around. When his manager asked Bruce if he could help solve a problem they had been working on for months, he happily accepted.  

Within a few hours, he built a complex Excel worksheet that helped the company save $3M in labor costs that year, solidifying Bruce’s position as an Excel superstar. Like Ashley, Bruce attributes the opportunities he’s had to his certifications.   

If you’re in a position where these certifications are being offered to you for free, and teachers are willing to teach it to you for free, take it. I promise you, that one certification sets you worlds apart.

Bruce Beuzard IV, 2019 MOS U.S. National Excel Champion

How can students build AI skills? 

LinkedIn released their Future of Work Report and found that new AI tools have the potential to lighten workloads and help professionals focus on the most critical parts of their job. For students, this report demonstrated the potential impact on the future of work where the skills required for many jobs have changed by 25% since 2015, with that number expected to reach at least 65% by 2030.  

Students can acquire new AI skills on their own time using Microsoft Learn, the free online platform. Microsoft Learn offers a comprehensive array of learning paths and Microsoft official learning modules covering a wide range of topics, from fundamental concepts to advanced applications. This includes courses on machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and reinforcement learning. For academic institutions AI learning is integrated through Microsoft Learn for Educators (MSLE).   

There is an abundance of varied and adaptable AI learning paths that students can take to harness the potential of AI and use it to create these incredible applications that have a real impact on the world. AI is quickly becoming one of the most valuable resources for self-determination and long-term success.”

Christina Thoresen, Director of Worldwide Education Industry Sales Strategy at Microsoft

Students and education leaders can explore a collection of AI learning pathways based on their career choice and personal goals. As the demand for AI and data related skills in the workforce grows, Microsoft continues to support building AI literacy and provide AI-related training courses to help prepare students for the future.  

Setting students up for success in the real world

Tyler Millis, a software developer and a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, had amassed an impressive 47 technology certifications by the time he finished high school and the title of Microsoft Office Specialist World Champion. According to Tyler, this was way more than any of his colleagues at MIT, “I think the more students know about these programs, these certifications, these competitions, the better.”  

Many universities have recognized the real-world value of certifications and are now including them in their curriculum. Moreover, many certifications have international recognition, allowing students to compete in the global job market and explore opportunities worldwide.  

Having such an asset provided for the students is an advantage to us that other courses don’t have. I’ve personally been offered job positions on the condition that I attain certain Microsoft certificates, demonstrating how advantageous it is to have them.

Kayden Anderson, Student, Australian Catholic University

Ready to take your learning to the next level? You, too, can become job-ready by unlocking essential skills in data, AI, and other high-value areas. Check out Microsoft Learn to start expanding your skill set today and visit Microsoft Credentials to get your skills validated.

Learn more by exploring these additional resources and staying up to date with the latest trends:  

• Start your AI learning journey at the Microsoft Learn Student Hub. 
• Claim free Azure for Students benefits. 
• Sign up for free trial licenses, and build low-code and no-code analytics solutions, by using Microsoft Power Platform apps. 
• If you’re an educator or a faculty member who wants to bring AI skill-building to your students, visit Microsoft Learn for Educators Program – Applied Skills. 
• Microsoft and Certiport, a Pearson VUE business, are actively involved on a global scale in engaging with customers for licensing and deployment opportunities related to certifications in educational institutions, including schools and campuses. Learn more about the Microsoft Certification offerings available through Certiport.  
• Compete in Certiport’s Microsoft Office Specialist Championships, one of the largest IT competitions.    
• Explore the Microsoft Office Specialist and Microsoft Certified Fundamentals certifications.   

AI in education brings opportunity to life

At Microsoft, we are committed to making sure AI systems are developed responsibly and that equitable opportunities are created for all students. Join us for Reimagine Education on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, to explore insights from global education innovators who will share next practices on education equity, security, and workforce readiness in the era of AI. Select the time that works best for you and save it to your calendar—either 9:00 AM PT (UTC-8) or 6:00 PM PT (UTC-8). Together we can reimagine education.  

The post How college students are landing their dream jobs with AI credentials appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Join Microsoft in celebrating Safer Internet Day 2024 by refreshing your understanding of cybersecurity issues facing schools and exploring cybersecurity solutions, tips, resources, events, and training from Microsoft Education. Start with a course built specifically for educators or check out the collection of immersive cybersecurity lessons from Minecraft Education.  

There are multiple ways to participate and celebrate in your classroom: 

• Incorporate safe internet lessons into your classroom. 
• Hone your cybersecurity awareness in Microsoft Learn. 
• Develop and practice cyber safety skills with students. 
• Register for Level Up Learning: Digital Citizenship & Cyber Fluency. 
• Explore the guidance in the Microsoft Family Safety Toolkit. 

Understanding the cyber safety challenge

In recent years, schools have increasingly depended on online and digital resources, experiences, and communication. At the same time, schools have become more vulnerable to cyberattacks. Because of this, it is crucial for both you and your students to acquire, discuss, practice, and implement safe internet skills, both in the classroom and at home. Explore the guides, training, and activities below designed to help you lead discussions with your students about online safety and build strong cybersecurity practices in your school community. 

Microsoft cybersecurity resources for educators and school leaders

Start your internet safety discussion with students using the K-12 Cybersecurity Infographic and Cybersecurity Conversation Guide from Microsoft Education: 

• The K-12 Cybersecurity Infographic provides simple examples of phishing links and scam ads and how to identify them. 
• The K-12 Cybersecurity Conversation Guide helps educators and caregivers discuss key topics with students on how to improve their cyber hygiene. 

Take the next steps in boosting your cybersecurity skills with the free cybersecurity training for educators and school leaders on Microsoft Learn. In less than an hour, you can increase your cybersecurity background knowledge and learn helpful strategies to keep data, accounts, and devices secure. Explore these courses to get started: 

• Build cybersecurity resilience in K-12 classrooms with Microsoft tools 
• Boost K-12 school cybersecurity leadership with Microsoft tools

Explore safe online gaming with students in Minecraft’s latest adventure  

Young people, aged 8-17, spend an average of two hours a day in online game environments, making it a significant part of their screen time. The ubiquity of online gaming among young people highlights the importance of safely navigating these digital spaces. Minecraft Education can help students practice and learn essential digital citizenship skills and gives educators engaging content to bring lessons in cybersecurity and online safety into their classrooms. 

In CyberSafe: Good Game, the latest addition to Minecraft’s CyberSafe collection of immersive worlds and lesson plans, players help a group of gaming teammates create a code of conduct, practice digital citizenship, and ensure everyone feels welcome on the team. This game-based learning experience is designed to teach students the tools and skills that put players and families in control. Players tackle exciting challenges, foster kindness and teamwork, and turn the online world into an inclusive playground for all.  

Empower cyber heroes with Minecraft Education’s cybersecurity curriculum

Continue to explore online safety with lessons from Minecraft Education, aligned to Cyber.org and Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) standards. Empower learners with the skills and knowledge they’ll need to protect their digital footprint and make safe choices in an increasingly online world. 

With immersive student content, educator guides, and professional learning, the Minecraft Education Cyber Collection makes it easy to integrate cybersecurity into any classroom and empower all students to make safe choices online. Explore the Microsoft Learn Pathway for resources on teaching cyber with Minecraft. 

Level up with events from Minecraft Education and ISTE

Continue your professional learning with Level Up Learning, a digital event series from Minecraft Education and ISTE. Through a series of webinars spotlighting school systems around the world, educators and leaders can join a transformational journey into the integration of game-based learning and its impact on student outcomes. 

The series kicks off on February 6, 2024, with the first webinar featuring Miami Dade County Public Schools. Discover how one of the United States’ largest school systems successfully instills crucial digital citizenship and cyber skills, leading to job and career opportunities. Register for free for all of the Level Up Learning events: 

• Digital Citizenship and Cyber Fluency on February 6, 2024 
• Computer Science and AI on February 29, 2024 
• Student Voice, Agency, and Authentic Learning Experiences on April 2, 2024 
• Connection, Leadership & Team-based Experiences through Esports on April 30, 2024 
• STEM Literacy for all students on May 28, 2024 

New online safety research and Family Safety Toolkit from Microsoft

Each year, Safer Internet Day provides an opportunity for people of all ages to engage and discuss online activities and safety. As part of our ongoing participation in Safer Internet Day, and our longstanding commitment to child online safety, Microsoft is releasing the latest findings from our annual Global Online Safety Survey. Importantly, our survey results show that young people trust their parents and go to them for support and guidance around online risk. 

Enabling students and their families to support informed choices about their online activity is even more important with the advent of generative AI. To help young people, educators, and families navigate the digital world, Microsoft has also released a new online safety resource, the Microsoft Family Safety Toolkit. This new toolkit provides guidance on how to leverage Microsoft’s safety features and family safety settings to support and enhance digital parenting, plus guidance for families looking to navigate the world of generative AI together. 

Partner with Microsoft to celebrate Safer Internet Day on February 6. Explore classroom resources, participate in impactful discussions, boost your knowledge with training from Microsoft Learn, enrich your students’ learning through immersive lessons from Minecraft Education, and explore the Microsoft Family Safety Toolkit. Elevate your commitment to a continuous culture of online safety for a more secure digital future!

The post Celebrating Safer Internet Day 2024 appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

In this game, students complete challenge tasks from a variety of categories including English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Coding, and Arts/Music. Then they share what they learned or created with other players or a family member, extending learning a step further!

Tasks can be completed by students of most ages (age 8 or older recommended). Whether students code a game in Microsoft MakeCode or create a family or neighborhood newspaper in Microsoft Word, these learning tasks can take a varied length of time to complete. Kids can complete one or two rounds of play a day, extending their game play throughout the summer.

Students using Microsoft MakeCode

Two ways to play

Leaps and Logs can be played digitally or on paper (with access to a device for embedded task links). Full game directions can be found by downloading Leaps and Logs.

Playing digitally

1. Download the game board and task lists and upload them as a document into Microsoft Whiteboard. To upload, select “New Whiteboard” then select “Document” from the side panel. Find the Leaps and Logs Summer Learning Game file that was downloaded, then select all pages.
2. Change the title of the whiteboard to Summer Learning Game by selecting the dropdown arrow next to “Whiteboard” and typing in the text box. When renaming is complete, select the checkmark in the text box to save your new title.
3. In the whiteboard, select shapes or upload images from the side panel to use as moveable game pieces.
4. Roll one die using this digital dice roller. Be sure to unselect Dice 2 and Dice 3 to roll just one die.

GIF of opening Microsoft Whiteboard and uploading the Summer Learning Game board

Playing on paper

1. Download and print the game board. The challenge tasks can also be printed, but students will need a digital version to access the embedded links.
2. Assign players game pieces or small objects to move around the printed game board.
3. Use one six-sided die (or this digital dice roller) to determine the number of spaces to move.
4. Ensure that the gameboard and pieces are kept in a safe place where they won’t be moved or use a pencil to mark where each player ended their turn.

How to share with kids

Whether school is still in session or students have already left for the year, here are some ways educators and schools can share the Leaps and Logs Learning Game with students and families.

• Share the link to this blog post with families at end of the year events.
• Post information about the game on a classroom website, school social media page, or Teams for Education announcement.
• Provide students with a printed copy of the game and instructions on how to access Leaps and Logs.
• Add the link to this blog post to your classroom or school newsletter.
• Help kids begin game play as individuals, in pairs, or small groups to kick things off.

Keep learning going and kids entertained this summer with our free Leaps and Logs Learning Game! 

• Download the Leaps and Logs guide.
• Download the Leaps and Logs game board.

The post Leaps and Logs: A summer learning game for students from Microsoft appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Microsoft believes that student agency is a key aspect in helping students catch up, keep up, and get ahead, and Reading Coach in Immersive Reader, a solution within Microsoft’s Learning Accelerator suite of tools, helps create practice opportunities for all learners specific to their needs.

Differentiating for all learners

Microsoft Reading Coach in Immersive Reader uses differentiated tools and personalized feedback to support all learners’ reading proficiency and build agency. Coupled with Immersive Reader’s read aloud functionality and translation tools, as well as grammar tools and picture dictionary to support fluency and comprehension, Reading Coach offers real-time support and guidance. This allows educators to individualize instruction for more students and provides students opportunities to independently practice reading out loud outside of Reading Progress assignments.

Reading Coach, now in Immersive Reader

Students can select any reading passage they would like to practice in Microsoft 365 apps by selecting the Immersive Reader icon, then selecting Reading Coach in the options menu. They can then record themselves reading and Reading Coach will provide a high-level report on accuracy and reading speed and then an opportunity to practice the words they struggled with.

Reading Coach in Immersive Reader is available across a variety of Microsoft 365 applications, including Word online, OneNote, Teams, Forms and Flip, to remove barriers to assistive tools and supports.

Building student agency

Students can also receive personalized feedback after reading independently with Reading Coach in Immersive Reader. As students read a passage of their choice out loud, Reading Coach listens to them and provides a brief report that helps students track their progress by analyzing their accuracy, correct words per minute, and time spent reading. Students are also provided with words to practice from the text that were challenging.

The built-in support features and practice frees up educators’ time to work with more students. Likewise, the tool allows students to track progress towards their reading goals and take ownership in their own learning. Parents can also encourage students to read at home and upload passages for practice. Students can view their reading progress firsthand and reflect upon their practices to build agency.

It’s really created this place where students can improve their reading, but they’re the ones setting those goals. They really have agency here and the locus of control centers on the student and their reflective practices, rather than on me, the teacher, to determine what my students need.”

Emily Abrams, Teacher, Kent School District, Washington

Growing family partnerships

Research has shown that when educators and families partner together, academic achievement and social development are enhanced. Not only does Reading Coach in Immersive Reader provide learners with reading support anywhere and anytime, both inside and outside of school, but it also allows educators to share reading progress data with families. A graph produced over time provides families and educators with an entry point to form a team to better support the student’s unique needs.

Progress graph shows student reading progress over time

Using Reading Coach in Immersive Reader, educators can provide differentiated support for all learners within one platform while learners use real-time feedback to build agency as they enhance their reading proficiency.   

Explore additional resources about Reading Coach in Immersive Reader:

• Introducing Reading Coach (video)
• Introducing Reading Coach for personalized practice (article)
• Reach every learner with reading programs from Microsoft Education (blog post)

The post Differentiate and build student agency with Reading Coach in Immersive Reader appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

With a commitment to equity and helping all learners thrive, Microsoft is happy to provide tools, resources, and opportunities that support literacy and help students and educators celebrate the joy of reading.

World Read Aloud Day is a time for all of us to unite around the joy of sharing stories, reveling in language, words, and sounds, and creating an inclusive world of possibility that everyone can join into.”

Pam Allyn, creator of World Read Aloud Day

It’s a book party!

On February 1, 2023, classrooms around the world will take time to celebrate and honor the power of reading and sharing stories and expand the scope of global literacy. As Pam Allyn, creator of World Read Aloud Day, reminds us, “World Read Aloud Day celebrates the power, magic, and influence of the read aloud for children and teenagers…” Reading texts aloud helps build fluency, stamina, and vocabulary, and creates shared joy in the act of reading.

The World Read Aloud team and LitWorld are excited to provide educators tools and resources to use with students to build their own World Read Aloud Day book parties. From live virtual events featuring favorite authors, virtual read alouds to enjoy anytime, anywhere, and a virtual bookshelf where students can add their own stories, it’s easy to take your World Read Aloud Day celebration to the next level.

Meet Bad Kitty on Flip Live

In honor of World Read Aloud Day, on February 1, 2023, Flip Live and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group will host a fun event starting at 10:00 AM PT featuring Bad Kitty and her friend Strange Kitty (AKA Captain Fantasticat). Join Bad Kitty author Nick Bruel to learn about some of his favorite drawing tips and to hear a read-aloud. Pam Allyn, World Read Aloud day creator, will also make an appearance at the event.

Register for this free event today!

Tools and resources to build reading confidence

On World Read Aloud Day (and every day) students can celebrate the joy of reading and sharing stories. Microsoft offers dynamic, easy-to-use tools to help create inclusive environments where all students can practice and build confidence in their reading ability. 

Reading Progress

Microsoft Reading Progress in Teams for Education is a free tool that helps students practice their reading fluency. Students read a passage out loud while recording video and audio and share the recordings of themselves with their teachers who can then track the progress, provide feedback, and discover trends and opportunities for student growth.Equipped with Immersive Reader features, Reading Progress further empowers students to build in their own differentiation and complete fluency checks independently at school or at home, building confidence as they go.

Reading Progress is a wonderful tool for understanding the reader, and together on World Read Aloud Day, we celebrate it, for it uses the read aloud as the key ingredient, broadens teachers’ knowledge of their students, and students’ own perceptions of themselves.”

Pam Allyn, creator of World Read Aloud Day

Immersive Reader

Microsoft Immersive Reader is a free tool, built into Word, OneNote, Outlook, Office Lens, Microsoft Teams, Reading Progress, Forms, Flipgrid, Minecraft Education Edition and the Edge browser, that implements proven techniques to improve reading and writing for anyone regardless of their age or ability.

Immersive Reader can help improve reading and build confidence by:

• Supporting fluency for English language learners or readers of other languages;
• Helping to build confidence for emerging readers as they learn to read at higher levels;
• Offering text decoding solutions for students with dyslexia and other learning needs;
• Providing individual word or whole text translation into over 100 languages (over 40 of which can be read aloud);
• Providing scaffolding to ensure students with a variety of learning needs have access to grade-level texts.

With features for needs ranging from attention support to eye fatigue, Immersive Reader is designed to be non-stigmatizing and easily personalized.

Explore other resources from Microsoft and its partners to support read alouds

Free Literacy Tools to Support K-12 Students Quick Start Guide

First Book offers an easy-to-use quick start guide to support literacy using Microsoft tools including Reading Progress, Immersive Reader, and Education Insights. This guide provides three easy steps for getting started:

• Determine how to access Microsoft’s free literacy tools;
• Learn about the benefits of these tools;
• Find links to videos and resources that highlight timesaving and expert-informed features of these tools.

Dyslexia Thinking Learning Pathway on Microsoft Learn

In partnership with Made by Dyslexia, Microsoft offers free dyslexia training for educators and families on Microsoft Learn. This free, online training is comprised of multiple modules which cover dyslexia awareness, dyslexia teaching, and most recently added dyslexia and technology. In Dyslexia Teaching: Part 2, learn strategies to transform teaching and learning, specifically as it applies to reading. The newest module Dyslexia and Technology offers opportunities to explore tech tools to support learners through building on their strengths, as well as supportive technology to mitigate challenges learners with dyslexia often face.

Whether it is a classroom book party, school-wide celebration, or community event, join millions of others on World Read Aloud Day to honor the joy of reading and sharing stories.

The post Celebrate the power of story on World Read Aloud Day 2023 appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Connect with families inside Teams

Microsoft Teams for Education is a powerful platform that can help educators include families in their students’ academic success. A study in the Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness found that frequent educator-family communication of sixth and ninth grade students immediately increased student engagement as measured by homework completion rates, on-task behavior, and class participation. Consistent support and guidance at school and home can help students understand expectations and excel in their learning.

One of the key features of Teams for Education is the ability to bring together students, educators, and families to support the student’s educational journey. Teams provides a central hub for communication and collaboration and can help foster a sense of partnership and cooperation between families and the school community.

Parent Connection is an app in Teams for Education that helps educators securely connect and directly engage with the families of the students in their classes without leaving the Teams app. After a school’s IT enables the Parent Connection app, educators see a new Parents tab within each class. Then, when they want to start a chat with a family member, they can instantly see the contact information for that caregiver and a button that opens a chat conversation with them.

Families and caregivers receive an invitation via the email on file with School Data Sync so it is always up to date. The message will invite the caregiver to join the Teams chat. If they have yet to use Teams chat, the email will walk them through a series of simple how to get started steps.

Create inclusive communities with all families

School communities consist of many diverse learners and their families, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing as well as English language learners. In both of those instances, it’s likely that families or caregivers may not speak or understand the primary language spoken in the classroom. Communicating with families of diverse backgrounds can present some challenges, but Microsoft solutions can support effective communication and build positive relationships between educators and families. 

Microsoft Translator allows educators to capture what they are saying or typing and have it seamlessly translated for families and caregivers. Educators can start a conversation in the Microsoft Translator app and share the conversation code with family members. In turn, parents and caregivers can talk or write back in their preferred language, which gets translated in real-time for the educator. Microsoft Translator can be used remotely or in person. Multiple parents or caregivers can join a conference, and each customize the experience in their own language, breaking down communication barriers and building meaningful connections.

Translator for PowerPoint is a built-in feature in PowerPoint that adds live subtitles to a presentation. This tool can be utilized during family nights, open houses, and conferences allowing each family to access captions in their primary language at the same time. Educators, staff, and families can ask questions, engage with the overall school community, and feel included in the conversation!

Overcoming barriers to school and family engagement

Barriers tend to hinder a family’s ability to actively participate in their student’s education. Fortunately, Microsoft Teams, the Parent Connection app, and Microsoft Translator app can help overcome these obstacles and make it easy for families to connect. These tools provide asynchronous and accessible opportunities for educators and families to actively and easily communicate with each other about a student’s needs. This active engagement sets students and their families up for success while fostering an inclusive community for all.

Explore these resources to learn more about communicating with families.

• How to set-up and get started using Parent Connection
• Step-by-step guide for families to connect with educators using Microsoft Teams
• Guide for using Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Translator for a parent conferences

The post Strengthening relationships between educators and families appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Create Reflect check-ins in staff teams

Social and emotional learning is not only important for students, but for educators as well. Teachers that have higher levels of social emotional knowledge may have a better chance of creating effective learning strategies and keeping their students engaged. However, very little training is provided to support teacher’s social emotional learning growth.

Recently, we’ve updated Reflect in Microsoft Teams to appear as a featured tab in each of your classes, and now you can create Reflect check-ins for staff teams. By providing educators opportunities to check-in with themselves and take the temperature of your school ecosystem, school leaders can build a culture of trust and growth so voices can be heard.

How to create a staff check-in

To create a Reflect staff check-in you must be a team owner. Simply click on Reflect in the general channel of your staff team, select a question from the gallery based on CASEL core competencies, and create space for personal and community growth through reflection.

Explore the check-in questions using the categories, then select a question.

This new feature is available now, so take the time to learn how to create your first staff check-in or Class Notebook check-in today.

Parent Connection for Teams mobile is now available

We understand the importance of keeping parents/guardians involved with their child’s school progress. This not only helps motivate the student to do better in school, but also allows teachers and parents to understand areas of improvement and cater to the students’ best interests. To keep this line of parent-teacher communication open wherever you are, Parent Connection is now available in the Microsoft Teams mobile app. You can find the Parent Connection app within an individual class team along with the other apps enabled for your class (Assignments and grades, Class Notebook, and Insights).

You can use the Teams desktop or mobile app to send messages to parents/guardians for any status updates of their child.

Reach out to parents/guardians with Teams chat in mobile.

Learn more information about Parent Connection in Microsoft Teams so you can stay informed about your child’s school performance.

Introducing a new partner app in Teams: Kami

We’re excited to announce Kami’s new Microsoft Teams integration allowing teachers to gain access to more than 40 tools and features in addition to their existing learning resources and curriculum.

With this integration, you’ll be able to do these tasks in Teams:

• Create Kami assignments
• Create a shared Kami file inside of a team
• Provide rich feedback for your students
• Effortlessly grade and return assignments
• Sync your feedback or grading annotations in real-time
• Auto-save files with your OneDrive

Annotate, collaborate, and asses with Kami—the-all-in-one learning platform. Learn how to use Kami with Microsoft Teams today. 

Watch the video to learn how to create and work with Kami assignments in Microsoft Teams. 

Who can use Kami’s Microsoft Teams integration?

This feature is available to users with a Kami Teacher, School, or District Plan. Schools or districts using Microsoft Teams can request a free domain-wide Kami trial to see if these tools fit your school environment.

Want to know what Teams can do for your classroom?

To get an interactive demo of how Teams can work in your classroom or to watch videos to help you and your students get started using Teams, visit the Educator Center to find Microsoft Teams product guides. This digital learning hub provides educators with a wide selection of learning paths and training modules to help you grow and better manage your classrooms.

The post Improving educator well-being and engagement using Teams appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.