Findings from the 2024 Work Trend Index Annual Report from Microsoft and LinkedIn show that the cybersecurity industry has an urgent talent shortage that’s expected to grow. MSLE aims to help educators build an effective and continuously updated curriculum to teach students these cybersecurity skills and prepare them for the workplace of the future.

Whether you need guidance on integrating security teaching into your curriculum or you’re an experienced security educator looking to discover additional resources and labs, MSLE has you covered.

Work with Microsoft Training Services Partners to be cybersecurity ready

In August 2024, we launched the MSLE Cybersecurity and AI Bootcamp, building on the popular MSLE Foundational AI Bootcamp. The MSLE Cybersecurity and AI Bootcamp is designed to prepare educators and faculty across multiple disciplines to use MSLE curricula and classroom resources to teach students critical security concepts, threat mitigation, and related AI skills. The bootcamp takes the form of flexible, train-the-trainer sessions, either in person or virtually, depending on your school’s or institution’s preferences.

“We know that it’s really hard for educational institutions to not only keep their curriculum up to date on technical topics,” explains Liz Butowicz, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Founder of Microsoft Training Services Partner (TSP) Black Dog Black Cat, “but also to skill their faculty and educators on delivering those new skills to their students. Microsoft developed the Microsoft Learn for Educators AI Bootcamps program to tackle these problems.”

Bootcamps are led by trainers from the global network of Microsoft TSPs equipped with official MSLE resources. They’re designed to train higher education and other post-secondary educators on how to use these resources within their existing course syllabi, create new courses or programs, and deliver Microsoft Certification exam preparation courses to their students. “Educators are often just presented with resources,” continues Butowicz, “and they need to figure out what to use. In the bootcamps, we can walk them through that and help speed up adoption of the material.”

The bootcamp structure and content can be customized to meet your institution’s specific needs, and it is typically divided into three sessions.

The three-part Microsoft Learn for Educators Cybersecurity and AI Bootcamp was fantastic, helping our faculty understand the AI-related teaching resources within MSLE they can now use in their courses. It can be difficult to find technical instructors, and the bootcamp helped build instructional capacity and can help educators transition into advanced teaching roles.

Jonathan W. Townes, Vice President of Career and Technical Education, Sponsored Grants, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Initiatives, Hinds Community College

Boost your cybersecurity curriculum with MSLE training resources

Even if you don’t feel the need for an instructor-led bootcamp experience, you can still use MSLE resources to help you learn new skills and build curricula around cybersecurity and AI-related concepts. With MSLE offerings, you can access tools and resources to enable innovative, experiential learning to augment students’ existing degree paths.

MSLE uses Microsoft Official Courseware (MOC), along with up-to-date training materials that feature an emphasis on real-world scenarios. The program includes instructional tools, test preparation content, interactive labs, and resources supporting Microsoft Certifications—all designed to integrate into your classes.

Microsoft’s teaching resources and materials, with self-paced study and certification options, [made] it ideal for teachers and students in any subject: science, math, and even humanities. The content can be used in any course or classroom and [can] help students prepare for future transitions into higher education or the workforce.

Jonathan W. Townes, Vice President of Career and Technical Education, Sponsored Grants, and HBCU Initiatives, Hinds Community College

MSLE also offers professional development, training resources, and support for educators and faculty at your institution through TSPs. This is coupled with community features, such as forums, networking sessions, office hours with community managers, and more. The program also offers discounted exam vouchers to help you get certified to teach cutting-edge technology subjects.

Take the next steps with MSLE

MSLE is here to help you get the training and skills you need to prepare your students for the opportunities of the era of AI and cybersecurity. To learn more about bootcamps or to find a TSP and discuss joining a bootcamp, check out the MSLE AI Bootcamp for Educators.

To access training materials, education resources, and more, join the Microsoft Learn for Educators program for free.

The post Level up your cybersecurity curriculum with MSLE appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Microsoft Education prioritizes providing solutions and tools to help you be cybersafe. Learn five ways that you can prioritize cybersecurity—from using AI for school cybersecurity reports to implementing role access—to help keep your school and users safe during the school year.

• Assess vulnerabilities with Microsoft Defender XRD and Defender Vulnerability Management.
• Generate complex security reports with Microsoft Copilot for Security.
• Manage threats with Microsoft Defender, Sentinel, and SecOps.
• Implement role-based access with Microsoft Entra ID.
• Safeguard student devices with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint P2 – Students.

1. Assess vulnerabilities

It’s critical to regularly evaluate systems for vulnerabilities and security risks in addition to strategically setting up proactive controls and resilient infrastructure. Because school cyberthreats like phishing, malware, and data exfiltration deliberately seek and target known vulnerabilities, prioritize closing existing security gaps with vulnerability and risk assessments.

Microsoft Defender XDR offers various features to identify risks and vulnerabilities, complementing your existing Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solution, based on your subscription including Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management. Play the video to learn how you can gain real-time insights for threat discovery.

2. Generate complex security reports with custom promptbooks

Microsoft Copilot for Security helps you increase your defense efficiency, capabilities, and outcomes at machine speed and scale, while remaining compliant with responsible AI principles. 

This natural language, assistive experience can support you in end-to-end scenarios such as incident response, threat hunting, intelligence gathering, and posture management. Watch the video for a more comprehensive understanding of how Copilot for Security can help you use AI for cybersecurity in your school.

Copilot for Security includes built-in promptbooks—predefined sets of prompts that automate common, repeatable workstreams that generate complex security reports—and includes these time-saving features.

• Suspicious script analysis: Analyze the intent, intelligence, threat actors, and impacts of a suspicious script.
• Microsoft Defender incident investigation: Learn about a specific incident, with related alerts, reputation scores, users, and devices.
• Threat actor profile: Profile a known actor with suggestions for protecting against common tools and tactics.
• Vulnerability impact assessment: Summarize the intelligence for a known vulnerability and how to address it.
• Microsoft Sentinel incident investigation: Explore a specific incident, along with related alerts, reputation scores, users, and devices.

Explore the Get started with Microsoft Copilot for Security learning path on Microsoft Learn to discover prompting tips and more.

3. Manage threats

Schools must identify and mitigate known threats and vulnerabilities. A cybersecurity framework (CSF) assists in managing risks, identifying threats, safeguarding infrastructure, and communicating initiatives. You can rely on Microsoft’s security solutions like Microsoft Defender, Sentinel, and SecOps platform to meet these needs.

• Microsoft Defender XDR: Secures endpoints, identities, workloads, and data, and protects against cyberthreats.
• Microsoft Sentinel: Responds to cyberthreats through data analysis, automation, and machine learning.
• SecOps platform: Unifies XDR and SIEM capabilities for real-time threat detection, exposure management, and AI-driven response.

4. Implement role-based access

Access control is a vital component of security strategy because it helps keep sensitive information from falling into the hands of bad actors. It’s one of the best tools that you can use to minimize the security risk of unauthorized access to data—particularly data stored in the cloud.

As schools use more endpoints, the risk of unauthorized access increases, highlighting the need for comprehensive access control policies. Identity and access management solutions, like Microsoft Entra ID, can simplify the administration of these policies. Recognizing the need to govern how and when data is accessed is the first step.

• Connect on goals: Align with stakeholders on the importance of access control solutions.
• Set strong policies: Design policies to grant, limit, or block access as needed.
• Follow best practices: Set up emergency accounts, apply policies to all apps, test before enforcing, standardize naming, and plan for disruptions.

Explore ways that you can use Microsoft Entra ID for app management, authentication, and more.

5. Secure student devices

Safeguarding student devices against malicious activity has never been more crucial, and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint P2 – Students is here to help. Defender for Endpoint P2 – Students delivers enhanced cybersecurity for students, including device protection that shields students’ devices from phishing, malware, and other attacks. Microsoft integrates advanced cybersecurity measures with Microsoft 365 and other classroom applications to mitigate risks and ensure a secure learning environment for everyone.

Read our blog post about Microsoft Defender for Endpoint P2 – Students to learn more.

In today’s rapidly changing landscape, embracing cybersecurity innovation is crucial. Microsoft is committed to making cybersecurity accessible and affordable for schools by assessing vulnerabilities, generating security reports, managing threats, implementing role-based access, and safeguarding student devices. Learn more with the Secure K-12 school IT practices and systems with Microsoft tools training module on Microsoft Learn.

Join us in creating a safer, more resilient learning environment for students, educators, and staff everywhere.

The post Five tips for IT teams to enhance school cybersecurity this summer appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Editor’s note: This blog was updated on September 11, 2024, to include additional AI tools.

Developments in AI are happening quickly, with many exciting new products and features launching. Wondering where to get started with AI tools in education? We’ve got you covered! We’ve compiled a list of free AI tools and offers to kickstart your AI journey.

AI offers opportunities to reshape how we approach creativity, problem-solving, learning, and communication in a time where these skills are more important than ever. It can help educators grow and focus on what matters most and help prepare students for a future where AI will play an increasingly important role in many careers. It’s also important to teach students how to use AI tools in a safe and responsible way, making sure they understand the benefits and potential impacts.

In addition to leveraging new products below, we recommend first building a strong foundation for understanding AI in education with our free training courses and resources. Take the courses in the AI for educators learning path to understand essential AI concepts and applications for your classroom. Use the Classroom Toolkit: Unlock generative AI safely and responsibly to help students gain skills like fact-checking, cultivating good digital hygiene habits, safeguarding their data privacy, and adopting strategies to manage their mental wellbeing effectively.

Take a step toward a more informed and inclusive future with AI. Let curiosity be your guide and explore these free AI tools from Microsoft.

1. Microsoft Copilot

Learn all about Microsoft Copilot, your AI assistant for education. Copilot offers AI-powered web chat, using the latest AI models, with sources and enterprise data protection. It’s available to education staff, faculty, and higher education students aged 18 and older at no additional cost. Get an overview of how to use Copilot, as well as ideas and inspiration for how you can use Copilot to save time, differentiate instruction, and enhance student learning.

• Read Meet your AI assistant for education: Microsoft Copilot to get started.
• Save or print this quick guide to Microsoft Copilot to refer back to as needed.

2. GitHub Copilot

GitHub Education brings tech and open-source collaboration to students and educators worldwide. To empower the next generation, GitHub Copilot is free for all verified educators and students aged 13 and above. GitHub Copilot suggests code and entire functions in real-time from your editor, allowing you and your students to focus on solving bigger problems and building better software.

With GitHub Copilot Chat, students and teachers can not only get code suggestions, but also ask questions, get explanations, offer prompts for code, and more, all in the integrated development environment (IDE) while staying in the flow.

• Visit GitHub Education to start your journey.
• Read more about GitHub Copilot Chat for students and teachers.

3. Learning Accelerators

Learning Accelerators can help students catch up, keep up, and get ahead. With these powerful tools included in Microsoft 365 Education, students can start practicing right away, and you can start gathering data to help them build their skills.

• Use Reading Coach to provide personalized, engaging, consistent, and independent reading fluency practice. It allows learners to create unique AI-generated stories by choosing characters and settings from a curated collection of options. Reading Coach is available for free as a Windows application and a web app to use in the classroom or at home with a Microsoft account.
• Leverage Search Progress and Search Coach, two information literacy tools, to empower students to seek, evaluate, and use online sources responsibly—a critical step in helping them navigate AI-generated content and the wider information ecosystem with confidence.
• Try Speaker Progress to help develop students’ public speaking with AI-powered real-time coaching. It helps students build confidence, offer a private space to practice and refine presentation delivery, and develop critical communication skills. And as an educator, you can create, customize, and assign speaking projects to your students and collect insights about their performance over time.
• Visit Learning Accelerators: Tools for Students to get started with these powerful tools in your classroom.

4. Microsoft Teams for Education

New AI-powered features in Microsoft Teams for Education, a free communication app for schools, are available to all educators for no additional cost. They leverage AI to draft content like rubrics, assignment instructions, personalized reading passages, and learning objectives, all while keeping the educator in control.  

• In Assignments, get multiple suggestions for how to enrich your content, including creating rubrics and assignment instructions. After the content is created, you can make edits and generate different options. 
• Use Reading Progress, a powerful reading fluency tool, to track students’ reading skills, get actionable insights quickly, and focus students on specific areas for improvement. New enhancements in the tool—AI passage generation and AI comprehension questions generation—can help you save time and personalize learning.
• Visit Microsoft Teams for Schools and Students to download Teams and get started.

5. Minecraft Education AI Foundations

Build AI literacy and digital citizenship with Minecraft Education’s learning content and teaching resources. In fun, immersive worlds and videos, students explore how AI can help us solve real-world problems, demystify the risks and opportunities of AI, and build confidence through game-based learning. Use Minecraft’s lesson planning resources to spark classroom engagement and inspire AI learning.

• Watch and share AI Adventurers, a new animated video series with classroom-ready teaching materials, a parent guide, and free movie poster to capture young imaginations and spark discussion.
• Discover Fantastic Fairgrounds, the new Minecraft world for students ages 8-14, to bring AI concepts to life through fun, values-driven gameplay.
• Teach standards-aligned STEM lessons that build AI literacy like Hour of Code: Generation AI, AI for Earth, and Hour of Code: AI for Good.
• Use the Minecraft Prompt Lab for educators to learn how to use Copilot with sample prompts to create engaging game-based learning lessons and assessment materials.
• Visit aka.ms/MinecraftAI to get started!

6. Khanmigo for Teachers

Khanmigo for Teachers, a pilot AI-powered teaching assistant, is free for educators in more than 40 countries in English due to our new partnership with Khan Academy. Khanmigo streamlines class prep and gives teachers more time and energy to spend with students. As your planning ally and instructional collaborator, Khanmigo leverages Khan Academy content to simplify AI for teachers. No prompting is required. Khanmigo will help create engaging lesson hooks, provide insights on student performance, recommended assignments, and support for refreshing your knowledge.

• Read the article Enhancing the future of education with Khan Academy to learn more and get started today.
• Save or print this quick guide to Khanmigo for Teachers to refer back to as needed.

AI tools are quickly transforming the way schools foster creativity, approach challenges, and enhance learning. We’re here to help you find the tools and resources to feel inspired and level up your teaching skills. Get started with these free AI tools from Microsoft and seamlessly integrate AI into your teaching and learning.

The post Get started with free AI tools from Microsoft Education appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

If you’re new to AI assistants and Microsoft Copilot, read more in Meet your AI assistant for education: Microsoft Copilot.

Elements of a good prompt

The Elements of a Good Prompt PDF in the Classroom toolkit: Unlocking generative AI safely and responsibly provides all the basics you need to start writing prompts effectively. These five key elements can be applied to any AI assistant. The more elements you incorporate, the better your results will match your query—saving time and limiting irrelevant results.

In addition to the elements of a good prompt here are five tips to getting better responses from your AI assistant.

1. Set the tone

When using AI assistants like Copilot, setting the tone is necessary to get the best results. Copilot offers you a choice between three conversation styles:

• Creative: Perfect for unique story ideas, poems, artistic expressions, and brainstorming creative solutions.
• Balanced: A middle ground that excels in casual conversations, summarizing news or articles, and giving practical advice.
• Precise: Ideal for concise, factual responses like writing code snippets, defining terms, or answering specific questions.

Setting the tone will guide the AI tool in creating responses with the desired voice, saving you time and effort.

2. Give specific instructions

Good prompting requires providing details about what you need and the context around the request. Select the hyperlinks in the examples to see how Copilot delivers different content based on the instructions in the prompt.

The prompt “Create a lesson plan for an art class” lacks specific instruction and will likely result in a less helpful response.

The prompt “Create a comprehensive 7th grade lesson plan for an art class focused on telling a story through a collage. Include detailed objectives, materials needed, step-by-step instructions, classroom activities, and differentiation strategies for diverse learners. Provide background information on the artistic techniques and notable examples of storytelling through collage from art history“ offers details and instructions for the type of response needed.

Remember, the more information you provide your AI assistant in a prompt, the better it can return useful results. Prompting is an iterative process. Start with a prompt and then iterate and build on it to refine your results.

3. Tailor for a point of view or audience

Sharing more details about your audience can help your AI assistant deliver what you need quicker. Mentioning education demographics like age, grade level, subject, and personal interests can result in relevant, creative outputs that will engage your audience and enhance their understanding of a concept.

4. Specify length

Specify the length of the response you want from your AI assistant. Do you need key points in a bulleted list, a summary in a few sentences, or detailed paragraphs with a technical explanation? Setting this metric in your prompt will help you get results that are more ready-to-use and require less editing.

5. Specify format

Most AI assistants can format your results to suit your needs. Try requesting the results to be formatted in a table, a diagram, or an outline. Visit Microsoft Copilot resources for education and bookmark the How to write a prompt PDF for quick reference to all five of these tips.

Support your AI journey

At Microsoft Education, we want to ensure you have all the tools you need to succeed on your AI journey. No matter your experience level with AI tools, we’ve got you covered at every stage.

Boost your prompting skills

• Dig into what Copilot can help you do in your role with Microsoft Copilot resources for education.
• The Enhance teaching and learning with Microsoft Copilot training module on Microsoft Learn includes a unit on designing prompts for learning. Learn more tips on crafting prompts to help you fully leverage the power of Copilot.
• Embrace innovation with Prompt Lab for Minecraft Educators. This series of resources shows you how to use Copilot with Minecraft Education to create amazing learning experiences.

Elevate your AI literacy for teaching and learning

• Explore Smart learning: AI resources every educator should know for eleven curated resources to help educators like you boost their AI literacy.
• Use the Classroom Toolkit: Unlock generative AI safely and responsibly to help you start important conversations about responsible AI practices, including content fabrications, privacy considerations, bias awareness, and mental well-being.

The more you practice prompting, the easier it will be to get helpful results from AI assistants like Copilot. By learning to refine your prompts and build on them, you’ll save time and get more precise results. Dive in, experiment, and see how AI assistants can give you time and energy back to focus on what matters most.

The post Five quick prompting tips to get more from your AI assistant appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

These free, flexible professional development resources for teachers allow you to move at your own pace and can be accessed anytime, anywhere. With tools like Microsoft Copilot, Reading Progress and Reading Coach, and Minecraft Education, you won’t just keep up with educational trends—you’ll stay ahead. 

Let curiosity be your guide this summer! If you’re not preparing for summer break yet, save this page for later and come back when you want to explore professional development options.

Expand your AI knowledge

Feeling overwhelmed by the buzz around AI? We have resources to help teachers learn about AI this summer.

Get started with our AI for educators learning path to learn about essential AI concepts and applications for your classroom.

• Our AI for educators learning path is a great place to start. It offers modules that break down essential AI concepts and showcase real-world applications that can enrich your classroom. From automating routine tasks to supporting personalized learning, you’ll discover practical and interesting ways to integrate AI into teaching and learning with tools like Copilot.
• Pick your own AI path at the Microsoft Learn Educator Center to discover more advanced applications of AI in teaching and learning. With training, toolkits, videos, and more, you’ll explore a variety of learning opportunities designed for teachers to help you integrate AI-powered tools in your classroom. 
• Amp up your AI literacy with Smart learning: AI resources every educator should know. You’ll explore 11 resources you can use to support your own learning, enhance your professional development, and help prepare your students for a future where AI will be a fundamental part of many professions.

Learn how to use Reading Progress and Reading Coach to boost reading fluency

Boost your students’ reading fluency with two Learning Accelerators from Microsoft Education. Learn how to use Reading Progress and Reading Coach and discover how these tools can help to unleash your students’ full potential.

Educator view of the generate custom passage feature in Reading Progress.

• Kickstart your learning journey with our Reading Progress and Reading Coach guide for educators. Explore how Reading Progress and Reading Coach tailor support to every student’s needs.
• The Support reading fluency practice with Reading Progress training module on Microsoft Learn will help you get started using this tool. Learn how to create assignments for different reading levels and how to get detailed insights into both individual and class-wide progress that can empower you to make informed decisions and customize your teaching strategies.
• The Build reading fluency with Reading Coach training module on Microsoft Learn will help you understand how to access and use Reading Coach. Learn how to describe the core reading functionality of the tool, and how to best use the different reading modes to support your students’ reading fluency.

Explore the intersection of learning and play with Minecraft Education

Harness the power of play in learning with Minecraft Education. Use this summer learning period to explore how to use Minecraft Education in the classroom.

Venture through time to create helpful AI-powered inventions in Minecraft Hour of Code: Generation AI. Use problem solving, creativity, and computational thinking along with the principles of responsible AI.

• New to Minecraft Education? Start your professional development journey this summer with the Minecraft Education: Teacher Academy. Explore how to use Minecraft as a teaching and learning tool. After completing this learning path, you’ll become a Minecraft Certified Teacher and receive the badge and an invitation to join the Minecraft Certified Teacher community.
• Are you already a seasoned Minecraft educator? Take your summer learning to the next level with Copilot. Explore the Minecraft Prompt Lab for Educators to find sample prompts to craft personalized lesson plans and assessments that align perfectly with your class’s needs, curriculum standards, and educational goals.
• Dive into Minecraft Hour of Code: Generation AI, open to everyone aged 7 and up! This exciting experience sets the stage for fun, foundational learning in computer science, and AI creation. Learn how to enhance your classroom with creativity, problem-solving, and computational thinking with student-created AI-powered projects.

Embark on a flexible learning adventure this summer and find tools and resources to feel inspired and level up your teaching skills. To explore other topics you’re interested in, check out the Microsoft Learn Education Center where you can earn professional development hours, acquire certifications, and find programs that help meet your teaching goals.

From all of us at Microsoft Education, have a wonderful summer!

The post Recharge and explore with summer learning for educators appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

We’ll spotlight some of the latest feature updates and capabilities to help you maximize student engagement, elevate your instruction, and streamline your tasks. We’ll also share events and professional development opportunities to help you build and advance your skills. Let’s dive in and see what’s new in Microsoft Education.

Simplify your workflow with new tools, features, and capabilities

1. Personalize learning with AI enhancements in Reading Progress

Reading Progress, a Learning Accelerator from Microsoft, tracks students’ reading skills, gives educators actionable insights quickly, and focuses students on specific areas for improvement. Two new features in Reading Progress are now generally available:

• Passage generation: Generate a passage directly in Reading Progress and leverage insights to personalize it based on the needs of your class and individual students. Select a topic, age, length, and language, and easily adjust the complexity of the passage once it has been generated.
• Comprehension questions generation: Generate comprehension questions based on a specific reading passage. Choose the number of questions and then review them, making any preferred edits, before publishing them to students. 

Get started with Reading Progress in Microsoft Teams for Education. To learn more, check out our guide to Reading Progress and Reading Coach in Teams for educators.

2. Practice reading with AI-generated stories in Reading Coach

Reading Coach, another Learning Accelerator, provides personalized, engaging, consistent, and independent reading fluency practice by allowing learners to create unique AI-generated stories by choosing characters and settings from a curated collection of options. It’s available for free as a web app and a Windows app to use in the classroom or at home with a Microsoft account, and now with a Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory).

Get started with Reading Coach online, in any browser, or download the Windows app. Watch the video How to use new AI-powered Microsoft Reading Coach to learn more.

3. Collaborate in real-time with Microsoft Loop

Loop is a flexible, AI-powered collaboration app that can help you think, plan, and create together. Loop is now generally available to education customers and is part of the Microsoft 365 A3 and A5 plans, including Student Use Benefit. Designed for co-creation in real-time, Loop brings collaborators and ideas together in one place.

Try Loop today and enhance the co-creation experience with your students and colleagues.

4. Streamline form creation with Microsoft Copilot in Forms

Copilot in Forms is a new AI-powered tool in Microsoft Forms that helps you create surveys, polls, and other forms with ease. It can generate draft questions and suggestions based on your input, such as your topic, goal, or context. With Copilot in Forms, you can streamline your form creation process and get assistance crafting high-quality content, quickly.

Get started with Copilot in Forms and see how it can support you and your classroom.

5. Start your school’s AI journey with the Microsoft Education AI Toolkit

AI is igniting enthusiasm in classrooms, department meetings, board rooms, and administrative offices across the country. Microsoft recognizes that leveraging AI in education requires new kinds of support for leaders who are considering AI for their schools. That’s why we announced the release of the Microsoft Education AI Toolkit during Reimagine Education 2024.

Explore the Microsoft Education AI Toolkit and learn how to use this resource in the article Kickstart your school’s AI journey with the Microsoft Education AI Toolkit.

Stay ahead with professional development opportunities and events

6. Participate in the AI skills challenge for educators

Join the AI skills challenge for educators and spend a few hours on your professional development learning about the history of AI, large language models (LLMs), generative AI, how to create a prompt, and uses of AI in education. The challenge is active on Microsoft Learn from now until April 30, 2024. Learn with your fellow educators as you increase your understanding with easy-to-read instruction, staying up to date with the latest in classroom technology.

Join the AI skills challenge for educators and learn how to discover, interact, and create with AI and generative AI in education.

7. Check out the Flip AI for educators series

Flip offers free professional development training sessions that provide easy-to-follow instructions, best practices, and inspiration on various topics, including AI! Check out these events for ways you can use Copilot to enhance teaching and learning in your classrooms and school communities.

Catch up on the great AI for educators series events that have already happened, and register for upcoming Flip professional development events as well.

8. Join the Minecraft and ISTE Level Up Learning digital events

Dive deeper into the benefits of teaching with Minecraft 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.   

Register for free for these upcoming Level Up Learning events:  

• Connection, Leadership & Team-based Experiences through Esports on April 30, 2024  
• STEM Literacy for all students on May 28, 2024   

9. Explore Microsoft Copilot resources for education

Dive deeper into what Copilot can do with resources for education. Whether you’re an educator, IT professional, or parent/guardian, you’ll find helpful resources to get started using Copilot. Visit Copilot resources for education to dive in and learn more.

10. Discover AI literacy resources for educators

With developments in AI happening so quickly and new products and features launching all the time, it can be difficult to keep up. We want to equip you with the knowledge needed to navigate the world of AI. We’ve gathered some resources, activities, and training to help you get up to speed on all things AI, and how it can be useful in education.

Read the article Smart learning: AI resources every educator should know and discover ways to enhance your AI literacy.

Tap into new possibilities for innovation in education

11. Become an MIE Expert, Showcase School, or Incubator School for 2024-2025

The future is here, and it’s time to step into the spotlight as a beacon of educational innovation. The Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Expert and Showcase School nominations for the 2024-2025 academic year are opening soon and this is your opportunity to shine! Being part of these programs means more than just recognition. It’s about actively participating in a global movement that redefines education through technology.

Check out the article Become an MIE Expert, Showcase School, or Incubator School for 2024-2025 to learn how to nominate yourself and your school.

12. Plan your school’s move to Windows 11

Windows 10 will reach end of support (EOS) on October 14, 2025, less than two years from today. For nearly a decade, you’ve helped shape the learning experiences of countless students and educators with Windows 10. Thank you for being an integral part of our mission to enable equitable education for all.

We encourage you to transition to Windows 11 sooner than later, and we’re here to help you plan your move. Learn about the options you have to smoothly transition to Windows 11, including extended security updates for Windows 10 devices that may need more time to transition.

Whether you want to discover new ways to simplify your workflow, expand your learning around AI in education, or tap into possibilities for innovation at your school, Microsoft Education has new features and experiences for you to explore. Happy teaching!

The post Elevate your instruction with 12 new updates from Microsoft Education appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

AI literacy is crucial in today’s digital age, where AI technologies are increasingly integrated into our daily lives. Our latest insights from the AI in Education: Microsoft Special Report demonstrate a disconnect—use of AI in education is outpacing the understanding of the technology. There’s an urgent need to increase AI literacy and AI integration in strategic priorities, standards, policies, and professional development.

For educators, it’s about preparing your students for a future where AI will be a fundamental part of many professions. It’s also about guiding learners to use AI tools safely and responsibly, ensuring they understand the implications of AI on privacy and data security. By fostering AI literacy, we can shape a future where everyone can navigate and benefit from AI advancements confidently and responsibly. Whether you’re a teacher, parent/guardian, or curious learner, here are some valuable resources to enhance your AI literacy from Microsoft Education.

11 resources for educators to amp up your AI literacy

For National AI Literacy Day 2024, explore the AI in education professional development opportunities available from Microsoft.

AI in education professional development

• AI for Educators training: Spend a few hours on your professional development and learn about the history of AI, large language models (LLMs), generative AI, how to create a prompt, and uses of AI in education. The AI for Educators Learning Path on Microsoft Learn is made up of three modules: “Empower educators to explore the potential of artificial intelligence,” “Enhance teaching and learning with Microsoft Copilot,” and “Equip and support learners with AI tools from Microsoft.” From now until April 30, 2024, participate in the AI skills challenge for educators and benchmark your progress against fellow educators and friends.
• Flip AI for educators series: Flip offers free professional development training sessions that provide easy-to-follow instructions, best practices, and inspiration on various topics, including AI! You can catch up on the great AI for educators series events that have already happened, and be sure to register for upcoming professional development events as well.
• Microsoft Education AI Toolkit: The Microsoft Education AI Toolkit provides education leaders with relevant background knowledge, strategies, and recommendations for launching AI initiatives in K-20 settings. It also includes customer stories and technical profiles that showcase how institutions around the globe are already using AI for teaching, learning, and administration. What’s inside of the toolkit provides those in charge with the necessary information that they need to jumpstart their own AI journey. Learn more about the Microsoft Education AI Toolkit and how to use this resource in this article: Kickstart your school’s AI journey with the Microsoft Education AI Toolkit.

Get started using Microsoft Copilot in education

• Introduction to Microsoft Copilot: Learn all about Microsoft Copilot, your AI-powered assistant for education. Get an overview of how to use Copilot, as well as ideas and inspiration for how you can use Copilot to save time, differentiate instruction, and enhance student learning. You can save or print this quick guide to Microsoft Copilot to refer back to as needed.
• Copilot resources for education: Dive deeper into what Copilot can do with resources for education. Whether you’re an educator, IT professional, or parent/guardian, you’ll find helpful resources to get started using Copilot.
• Copilot lab: While it’s not specific to education, the Copilot lab is a great resource to help you learn more about Copilot, how to write a prompt, and ideas of how to get started using Copilot.

Improve your students’ AI literacy, too!

By fostering AI literacy, together we can shape a future where everyone can navigate and benefit from AI advancements.

• Classroom toolkit: Unlocking generative AI safely and responsibly is a creative resource that blends engaging narrative stories with instructional information to create an immersive and effective learning experience for educators and students aged 13-15 years. The toolkit is designed to assist educators in initiating important conversations about responsible AI practices in the classroom, such as the critical topics of content fabrications, privacy considerations, bias awareness, and mental wellbeing.
• Minecraft AI Prompt Lab: Embracing the ever-changing world of education calls for innovation and tech-savvy teaching methods. The Minecraft AI Prompt Lab is a new series of resources that demonstrates how to use Microsoft Copilot with  Minecraft Education to design amazing learning experiences. Crafted for educators like you, this game-changing guide is here to revolutionize the way you deliver educational content with Minecraft. In Prompt Lab: Module 1, learn how to write prompts, develop learning content and assessments, and generate creative ideas for lesson plans will help you unlock the power of game-based learning with Minecraft Education. In Prompt Lab: Module 2, learn the basics of Code Builder, the in-game coding feature of Minecraft Education.

• Minecraft Hour of Code: Generation AI: All students deserve opportunities to explore AI technology to understand its implications, access career pathways, and be empowered to safely, confidently navigate an AI-powered world. Designed for anyone ages 7 and up, Minecraft Hour of Code: Generation AI is a fun, accessible way to explore the fundamentals of coding and responsible AI. Students will venture through time to create helpful AI-powered inventions to solve problems and make daily life easier. Learn coding basics and essential principles of computer science, all while encouraging thoughtful discussions around responsible coding and AI development. With free downloadable educator resources exploring the amazing potential of AI has never been more exiting or immersive!

Online safety and information literacy are the foundation of AI literacy

• Microsoft Family Safety Toolkit: To help young people, educators, and families navigate the digital world, Microsoft has also released an online safety resource, the Microsoft Family Safety Toolkit. This 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. Bonus resource for young children: PBS Kids launched an educational series on AI supported by Microsoft.  
• Search Progress and Coach: Empowering learners to seek, evaluate, and use online sources responsibly is a critical step in helping them to navigate AI-generated content and the wider information ecosystem with confidence. This short course on our newest Learning Accelerators, Search Progress and Search Coach, showcases how educators can help foster information literacy skills through any research-based assignment in Microsoft Teams for Education.

Let’s celebrate knowledge, curiosity, and the transformative power of AI. Join us this National AI Literacy Day to explore these resources and take a step towards a more informed and inclusive future with AI. Whether you’re an educator looking to bring AI into the classroom or a parent guiding your child in the digital world, these resources will equip you with the knowledge to embrace AI’s potential responsibly. Let’s celebrate the day by committing to lifelong learning and curiosity in the ever-evolving field of AI.

The post Smart learning: AI resources every educator should know appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

To help streamline your search for new and effective tools, we’ve rounded up some of the latest updates and experiences from Microsoft Education that will help you enhance your students’ reading skills, collaborate and communicate with your class, and create more content and curriculum for your lessons. We’re also highlighting live and on-demand events you can join with your students, and webinars and professional development opportunities to help you stay ahead. Let’s dive in and see what’s new in Microsoft Education.  

1. Reading Coach is now available in any browser 

Microsoft Reading Coach provides personalized, engaging, consistent, and independent reading fluency practice by allowing learners to create unique AI-generated stories by choosing characters and settings from a curated collection of options. Reading Coach was already providing learners with personalized reading practice, instant feedback about pronunciation and fluency, while also giving insights back to educators. Now it’s available for free as a public preview web app and a Windows application to use in the classroom or at home with a Microsoft account.  

Get started with Reading Coach online, in any browser or download the Windows app. Learn more about Reading Coach and check out the guides on our Learning Accelerators page.

2. Microsoft Copilot expansions for education audiences

In December we were thrilled to announce several Microsoft Copilot expansions for education audiences. Copilot with commercial data protection is now available to all faculty and higher education students who are 18+, including users of our free offers. And on January 1, 2024, education faculty and staff became eligible to purchase Copilot for Microsoft 365. We also shared additional updates including eligibility for Office 365 A3 and A5 faculty customers and removed the 300-seat purchase minimum to empower organizations of all sizes. 

Visit copilot.microsoft.com and explore what you can do with Copilot, your AI assistant for education.  

3. Loop availability for education customers

Microsoft Loop is a flexible, AI-powered collaboration app that can help you think, plan, and create together. We’re excited to share that Loop will be included in Microsoft 365 A3 and A5 plans, including Student Use Benefit in early March 2024. Customers with Office 365 A1 can continue creating workspaces and pages through June 30, 2024, and will be able to access them afterwards.  

Try Loop today and watch Microsoft Loop – think, plan and create together like never before to learn more. 

4. New AI literacy training for educators and students 

As more exciting AI features are developed, we’ll continue to support building AI literacy in parallel. We’ve launched the AI for Educators Learning Path on Microsoft Learn, made up of three modules to help educators learn about and benefit from AI. It begins with empowering educators to explore the potential of AI, continues into how to enhance teaching and learning with Copilot, and finishes with our newest addition: Equip and support learners with AI tools from Microsoft.  

Educators can then leverage the AI Classroom Toolkit to help teach and support students in using generative AI safely. It’s a creative resource that blends narrative stories with instructional information to create immersive and effective learning experiences for educators and their students.  

Check out the AI for Educators Learning Path on Microsoft Learn and explore the AI Classroom Toolkit to help teach and support students in using generative AI safely. 

5. New features in Microsoft Teams for Education 

You can now check-in with students using Reflect in Microsoft Teams for Education as they complete their assignment. When you enable Reflect Check-in on an assignment, students will be prompted to share how they feel when they submit their work. Then, you can review your students’ responses in the Assignments Grading experience, to monitor the progress of an individual student and the overall mood of the class about the assignment. 

Another new feature that’s available now is reusing your modules between Class Teams. You can reuse content such as Assignments, Files, and Links from one class to another with Classwork. This is useful if you want to teach the same class again, have multiple versions of a class, or share curriculum with another educator.   

Check out What’s New in Microsoft EDU – Bett 2024 Edition to learn more about all the new updates in Microsoft Teams for Education.  

6. New experiences and lessons from Minecraft Education 

Minecraft Education and BBC Earth have launched a new wondrous world inspired by the latest landmark series from BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit, Planet Earth III. With the Planet Earth III DLC, students will step into extraordinary realms of the natural world to experience the struggles and triumphs of survival while playing as a series of incredible creatures, including the great white shark, the Arctic wolf, the musk ox, and more. Explore the Planet Earth III DLC to learn about each animal and gain their perspective on survival! 

In another new experience, CyberSafe: Good Game—the latest addition to Minecraft’s CyberSafe collection—players help a group of gaming teammates create a code of conduct, practice digital citizenship, and ensure everyone feels welcome. This game-based learning experience is designed to teach students the tools and skills that put players in control. Players tackle exciting challenges, foster kindness and teamwork, and turn the online world into an inclusive playground for all. Play CyberSafe: Good Game and bring lessons in cybersecurity and online safety into your classroom.  

7. Minecraft and ISTE Level Up Learning digital events 

Dive deeper into the benefits of teaching with Minecraft 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.   

Register for free for all of the Level Up Learning events:  

• 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   

8. Join Flip live events or watch on-demand 

In February in the United States, educators come together to commemorate and pay tribute to the narratives of Black and African American individuals, honoring the significance of their experiences. Celebrate Black History Month during this time and throughout the year by watching the on-demand Flip event Learning from the Past, Shaping the Future: Discovering Black History through Digital Innovation with your class.  

Then, in March, Women’s History Month is celebrated in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. To mark the occasion, join with your class on March 13, 2024, as Flip celebrates innovative women working in the field of AI with the live event AI Conversations: Women Leaders Share Their Stories. Participate in the event to explore the questions: What does it take to succeed in AI? How can you make a difference with AI in your future? Register for the Flip live event today!  

Whether you want to enhance your students’ reading skills, discover new ways to collaborate and communicate, or expand your content and curriculum, Microsoft Education has new features and experiences for you to explore. Happy teaching! 

The post Stay ahead with 8 new updates from Microsoft Education appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Education has evolved significantly over the past several years, and so have the needs of educators. In today’s diverse classrooms, it’s more important than ever to use the right education technology, find ways to support all students, and help create more inclusive environments. We recognize that educators need time-saving workflows, teaching tools, and resources to help everyone thrive and reach their full potential. 

Microsoft believes that education technology has a valuable role to play in supporting the needs of both teachers and students. However, we understand that it can sometimes be challenging to adopt new education technology and face the learning curve of mastering new teaching tools. To bridge this gap and make adoption smoother, we’ve pulled together a collection of free quick start guides for you. Our PDF guides for teachers are instructive and user-friendly, designed to help you easily get started with Microsoft Education tools in the classroom. 

Where can teachers find quick start guides for Microsoft Education tools?

Check out our collection of quick start guides, created by fellow teacher Heather Aird, a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert (MIE Expert). Through vibrant colors, simplicity, and comprehensive coverage of our learning tools and Learning Accelerators, these PDF guides for teachers empower you to embrace education technology quickly and confidently.  

AI in education tools

• Microsoft Copilot quick guide
• Reading Coach with AI stories quick guide
• Microsoft Teams for Education AI features quick guide
• Khanmigo for Teachers quick guide

Microsoft 365 tools

• Classwork in Microsoft Teams quick guide
• Microsoft OneNote Class Notebook quick guide
• Microsoft OneNote quick guide
• Microsoft Word quick guide
• Microsoft PowerPoint quick guide
• Microsoft Forms quick guide
• Microsoft Loop quick guide
• Microsoft Stream quick guide
• Minecraft Education quick guide
• Microsoft Lens (formerly Microsoft Office Lens) quick guide
• Microsoft Bookings quick guide
• Microsoft Editor quick guide
• Microsoft Planner quick guide
• Microsoft To Do quick guide

Learning Accelerators

• Reading Progress quick guide
• Reading Insights quick guide
• Speaker Progress quick guide
• Speaker Coach quick guide
• Search Progress quick guide
• Search Coach quick guide
• Math Progress quick guide
• Reflect quick guide

Accessibility tools

• Digital Tools for Dyslexia quick guide
• Immersive Reader quick guide
• Reading Coach in Immersive Reader quick guide
• Math Solver quick guide
• Microsoft Translate quick guide
• Speech to Text (Dictate) quick guide
• Live Captions for PowerPoint quick guide

Our quick start guides cover a range of teacher resources and where to find them, unlocking countless possibilities for personalized and interactive learning experiences. Each PDF guide provides step-by-step instructions, accompanied by clear visuals and diagrams, ensuring that you can navigate Microsoft Education teaching tools and education technology with confidence.  

Microsoft Education is dedicated to providing technology solutions that can save you time, individualize student learning, and set students up for future success. Explore these portable and printable PDF quick start guides—designed to equip you with guidance and support whenever you need them! 

Looking for more ways to quickly get started with Microsoft Education technology? Check out these free resources below, created specifically for teachers like you. 

• Meet your AI assistant for education: Microsoft Copilot
• Eight how-to guides for educators: Quickly get started with Microsoft Education 
• Reflect activities for student engagement 
• New ways to reflect and thrive on World Mental Health Day! 
• 4 new Teams updates to enhance classroom engagement 
• Transform assessment with new Forms updates 

The post Comprehensive quick start guides for Microsoft Education tools 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.

Cultivate mindfulness with Calm

Take a moment for yourself. Calm—the leading mental health brand with the #1 app for meditation, sleep, and relaxation—has partnered with Microsoft to integrate mindfulness content into Microsoft Reflect, a powerful tool designed for social and emotional learning (SEL). Teachers can leverage Calm’s guided mindfulness sessions, movement activities, and focus music to foster a happier and more balanced classroom. As a bonus, teachers and students can enjoy an exclusive 40% discount on a subscription to Calm, providing a wealth of activities designed specifically for personal rejuvenation.

Keep learning

Invest in your growth. The Microsoft Learn Educator Center offers a platform where educators can access free courses for professional development. Whether exploring new technologies, teaching methodologies, or classroom management techniques, Microsoft Learn provides a diverse range of resources to support continuous learning and skill enhancement. Tailored for educators, these courses are an excellent way to stay updated or explore a new tool you might be curious about.

Take your teaching to the next level with these resources, training, and learning paths:

• AI for education
• Accessibility and inclusivity
• Skill up with the latest in AI, Microsoft 365, Windows, and security in education

Model reflective practices for emotional well-being

Bring balance to your classroom by participating in wellness activities alongside your students. Designed in collaboration with well-being and social and emotional learning experts, Reflect offers a unique gallery of activities, including breathing exercises, movement activities, guided mindfulness videos, and more. And while many of these have been specifically designed for students, they are equally effective resources for you. By actively participating, you model self-awareness, emotional regulation, and overall well-being for your students. And in the process, you care for yourself while you create a supportive learning environment.

Get started with Reflect by trying one of these activities with your students:

• Mindfulness for Ages 11-13: Plant seeds of mindfulness for balance, confidence, and calm.
• Follow Along Body Scan: Relax your body from the tips of your toes to the top of your head.
• Movement to Build Confidence: Believing is achieving with this confidence building video session.

Implement staff check-ins with Reflect in Microsoft Teams

Recognizing the importance of social and emotional learning for educator wellness, Microsoft Teams now features Reflect as a tab in each class, enabling Reflect check-ins for staff teams. This innovative approach allows school leaders to monitor educator well-being, fostering a culture of trust and growth within the school community. By providing opportunities for regular check-ins, school leaders can build a supportive environment where the voices of educators are heard, and teacher wellness is valued. 

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.

Take the time to learn how to create your first staff check-in or Class Notebook check-in today.  

Embrace your emotional well-being

Remember, you are not an emotionless automaton. Alex Shevrin Venet, author, school leader, and teacher at the former Centerpoint School—a trauma-informed high school in Vermont—advocates for openly acknowledging and addressing your emotional needs.

Shevrin suggests practical ways to prioritize your well-being:

• Set wellness goals. You write measurable objectives and goals for academic purposes all the time! Use that skill for yourself.
• Find a wellness-accountability buddy—a peer who agrees to support and keep you accountable to your wellness goals.

Find creative ways to sneak wellness into your schedule: Budget time into professional learning community meetings to check in with each other, share experiences, and collectively work towards fostering a positive and supportive educational environment.

Your well-being matters too

As an educator, you dedicate energy to the growth and well-being of your students on a daily basis. It’s crucial to recognize that, just like your students, your own wellness is equally important. Addressing teacher wellness is not only about creating a positive and effective learning environment; it’s a profound investment in yourself.

Learn more and get additional information with these resources:

• Experience Calm
• Microsoft Reflect | Encourage connection, expression, and learning
• Build a culture of well-being: A guide to Reflect for educators
• New ways to reflect and thrive on World Mental Health Day!

The post Nurture educator wellness with Microsoft Education appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

MIE Experts

Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Experts have demonstrated a deep commitment to integrating technology into their classrooms, fostering collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking among their students. This community of educators is redefining teaching and learning in the digital age.

The MIE Expert program brings together a diverse community of educators from around the world who share a passion for leveraging Microsoft tools and solutions to create immersive and engaging learning environments. We are proud of their endeavors and honored to support their work as they transform the lives of students.

As we welcome the MIE Experts for the 2023-2024 academic year, we recognize their dedication to professional growth and their unwavering enthusiasm for pushing the boundaries of what is possible in education. Through their leadership and innovative practices, MIE Experts are inspiring students to become active participants in their own learning journey, equipping them with the skills they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. View all the MIE Experts for 2023-2024.

Microsoft Showcase Schools

Microsoft Showcase Schools have embraced technology as a catalyst for positive change, weaving it into the fabric of their educational programs to enhance student engagement, collaboration, and achievement.

Being designated as a Microsoft Showcase School is a testament to an institution’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and empowerment by using Microsoft tools. Showcase Schools serve as living examples of how educational technology can elevate learning outcomes, preparing students with future-ready skills.

In the 2023-2024 academic year, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of Microsoft Showcase Schools. These institutions have not only embraced technological advancements but have also created inclusive and student-centered environments where learners are encouraged to explore, experiment, and excel. View all the Microsoft Showcase Schools for 2023-2024.

Join our community of MIE Experts!

Do you want become part of the 30,000+ educators in our MIE Expert community? Get started by joining the Microsoft Learn Educator Center, where you can access free professional development and resources to support your growth as an educator! Once you join, start working to earn your Microsoft Educator and Advanced Educator badges.

Nominations to become an MIE Expert will open in May 2024. Prepare for your nomination to today by following these steps:

• Complete the Microsoft Educator Academy.
• Complete the Master Microsoft Teams for any learning environment learning path.
• Complete the 21st century learning design learning path.

Join the Microsoft Showcase School program

If you are a school leader who is interested in joining the Showcase School program, please follow these steps:

• Review the Microsoft Education Transformation Framework.
• Find out where your school is on the transformation journey by consulting the Showcase School rubric and decide in which areas you’d like your school to grow.
• Learn about the Showcase School program engagement process.
• Fill out a self-nomination form for your school.

All schools joining the program start on the incubator path to begin or expand their transformation journey. When a school reaches the Showcase School criteria, they can then apply to become a Showcase School.

Stay up to date on the latest news and resources from Microsoft Education to support teaching and learning, no matter where you live.

• Join the Microsoft Learn Educator Center.
• Sign up for our educator newsletter.
• Subscribe to our Microsoft Education YouTube channel.
• Follow us on TikTok, X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

The post Microsoft’s 2023-2024 MIE Experts and Showcase Schools: Fostering a culture of innovation appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.