Discover how our accessibility tools, along with Microsoft Copilot, can help you create a learning environment where everyone feels included and has the tools and resources they need to succeed.

Boost equitable education

Educators play an important role in cultivating learning environments where all students can participate. Microsoft provides built-in accessibility tools to foster independence, boost confidence, and promote participation in an encouraging way. Dive into the accessibility tools in Microsoft 365 Education to create inclusive and empowering learning environments for both students and educators. Explore accessibility and inclusivity courses in the Microsoft Learn Educator Center.

Empower student autonomy

Learn how built-in, inclusive technology in Microsoft 365 empowers students to personalize their learning experience, removing barriers and reducing stigma.

Immersive Reader

Available in Microsoft products like Reading Coach and Microsoft Edge, Immersive Reader helps students improve reading comprehension, stay engaged, and build confidence, while also supporting learning differences. Students can use line focus to concentrate on one part of the text at a time. They can break words into syllables, adjust font size, and increase line, word, and letter spacing to reduce visual crowding to improve readability. Immersive Reader can also be used to increase text size, adjust colors for better contrast, and read text aloud to support comprehension.

Speech-to-text with dictation

Dictation lets students use voice-to-text instead of typing. For learners with sensory processing difficulties, chronic pain, or fatigue, dictation offers an alternative to typing that reduces physical and cognitive strain. For students with dysgraphia or disabilities for which writing may be challenging, dictation allows them to express their thoughts and ideas verbally instead of relying on writing skills.

Microsoft Translator

Translator provides visual access to spoken content to help learners, like those who are deaf or have a hearing disability, follow conversations to enhance participation. Likewise, while multilingual differences are not a specific disability, they can often create a barrier to learning. For multilingual learners, Translator provides immediate access to translated text, supporting comprehension to help learners keep pace with classroom activities.

Live captions

Available in Microsoft Teams, PowerPoint, Windows 11, and Copilot+ PCs, live captions convert speech to text in real-time. For students with hearing disabilities or auditory processing disorders, this tool provides visual reinforcement of spoken content, providing better access to lectures, discussions, and most auditory information. Plus, it fully supports multiple languages, making it accessible for multilingual speakers too.

Empowering all students to reach their potential

Additionally, Copilot can help educators meet the diverse needs of all students. From adapting teaching strategies to providing tailored resources, Copilot enables educators to create learning experiences that empower every student to succeed.

The Northern Ireland Education Authority provides a powerful example of how Copilot can promote equity in the classroom. Educators use Copilot prompts, based on student input, to help them express their creativity to create original art and design pieces that showcase their unique talents.

Play the video to see the transformative power of Copilot in action and discover how it opens new possibilities for every student.

Personalize learning experiences using Copilot

Whether you’re a classroom educator, a paraeducator, or lead special education, getting started with Copilot can help you support the needs of all learners. Try using and customizing the following prompts in Copilot. Be sure to log in with your school account for enterprise data protection to ensure the safety of sensitive student information. And, remember to use the attachment feature to add lesson or unit plans, relevant documents, and images for more targeted responses.

• Based on this lesson plan, generate strategies for accommodations for specific areas of my lesson in my [grade level] classroom to support students with [specific need such as ADHD, dyslexia, or anxiety].
• Draft goals and action steps for a student with [specific need such as autism or executive functioning challenges]. The student [met or did not meet] their previous goal to [goal from last IEP such as improve time management skills by completing in-class assignments within the given time frame].
• Provide step-by-step guidance for teaching [skill needed such as social skills or communication skills] to a student with [specific need such as anxiety or a speech disorder] in a non-stigmatizing way.
• Using the information I provided, suggest one-on-one support strategies for assisting students with [specific need such as sensory processing disorders or autism] in a [scenario such as specific group activity or independent learning task].
• Generate differentiated assessment methods that allow students with [specific need such as a specific learning disability] to demonstrate their understanding of [subject or topic]. Include both formative and summative assessment options that minimize stress and optimize engagement.

Using these prompts in Copilot can help you easily adapt learning experiences to meet every student’s unique needs, creating a more inclusive, supportive, and equitable classroom.

Streamline IEPs with Khanmigo for Teachers

Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are essential for documentation and planning to support all students. However, creating and tailoring these plans requires a significant amount of time and effort from educators. Khanmigo for Teachers, free for educators in over 40 countries thanks to our partnership, offers an IEP Assistant to help streamline the process.

Educators provide context on the learning environment, disability category, and current challenges and strengths to quickly generate an initial draft. The plan should then be refined based on professional judgment, evaluation, and analysis. Be sure that the final IEP is tailored to the student’s specific needs and complies with all applicable school policies and legal requirements.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a meaningful opportunity to reflect on how to support all students. Microsoft provides accessibility tools to empower every student to engage independently and confidently in their learning. Copilot enhances learning by helping educators plan inclusive lessons and develop individualized learning goals. Explore how Microsoft can help you create a classroom where learning is truly inclusive for every student.

The post Meeting the needs of all students with accessibility tools for the classroom appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

New this year: The Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts and Microsoft Showcase Schools programs are now being supported by the Microsoft Philanthropies team. The programs are highly valued and are being supported this year in strong collaboration from teams across Microsoft.

Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Experts and MIE Fellows

We invite you to learn more about our community of inspiring educators who take every opportunity to enhance their own learning, enabling them to do more within their educational institutions. In using Microsoft technology, MIE Experts build skills that have a direct impact on the future of their schools and communities at large. They also build connections with an exclusive digital community, at local events, conferences, through social media, and additional mediums.

In welcoming MIE Experts for the 2024-2025 academic year, we recognize their dedication to professional growth and their unwavering enthusiasm for pushing the boundaries of what’s 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. Join us in welcoming the 2024-2025 MIE Experts!

The MIE Fellows are a select group of MIE Experts who’ve emerged as leaders in their areas, motivating their colleagues and students with creative teaching methods. They actively share their knowledge and experiences, playing a vital role in a global community dedicated to advancing education through technology. Welcome MIE Fellows for 2024-2025!

Microsoft Showcase Schools and Microsoft Incubator 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 2024-2025 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. Join us in welcoming the 2024-2025 Microsoft Showcase Schools!

The Microsoft Incubator Schools are just beginning their journey toward educational transformation. As they embark on this path, their involvement in the Incubator School program allows them to work alongside Microsoft and educational leaders globally, laying the groundwork for substantial, lasting impact. Their journey is in its early stages, and the opportunities for growth and innovation are vast. Welcome Microsoft Incubator Schools for 2024-2025!

Join our community of MIE Experts

In the first half of 2025, you’ll have the opportunity to join nearly 30,000 educators in our MIE Expert community. You can 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 are expected to open in May 2025. Prepare for your nomination by learning more about how to join the MIE Expert program.

Join the Microsoft Showcase School program

If you’re a school leader who’s interested in joining the Showcase School program, please follow these steps:

• 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.

Note that 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.

Transforming education together

By embracing these opportunities and resources, educators and school leaders can drive meaningful change and inspire a new generation of learners. Together, let’s transform education and unlock the potential of every student, making a lasting impact on our communities and beyond.

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

• Sign up for our educator newsletter.
• Subscribe to the Microsoft Education YouTube channel.
• Follow us on TikTok, X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.

The post Welcome the 2024-2025 MIE Experts and Microsoft Showcase Schools appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

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.

Copilot offers innovative and efficient ways to manage last-minute tasks and create dynamic classroom activities—which can be especially helpful during these transitional times of year. Explore these prompts to discover how Copilot can help you boost learning and create efficiencies to finish the term strong.

1. Create sentence starters for student self-assessments

Offering time for students to reflect on their growth amidst end of term tests can encourage self-assessment, help them set goals, and provide valuable insights for your planning. Sentence starters are a great way to guide students in reflecting on their successes, challenges, and areas of improvement.

Copy and paste the following prompt into copilot.cloud.microsoft. You can adjust the prompt as needed to fit your age or grade level.

Create 12 sentence starters for fourth graders to reflect on their academic progress, successes, and challenges during the first half of the school year. Group them into three categories: Academic Progress, Successes, and Challenges.

Easily customize your sentence starters by adjusting the prompt. For example:

• Ask Copilot to create sentence starters in a fun way—like imagining students as superheroes reflecting on their “learning superpowers” and “areas to strengthen.”
• Tell Copilot to create full sentences with blanks, offering Multilingual Learners of English (MLEs) extra support with clues to help complete the sentence.

Copilot can assist you in providing ways to enhance student self-reflection that encourage student agency of their learning and offer you insights into their progress.

2. Develop tiered assignments for frustration-free practice at home

When breaks arrive, families often seek additional assignments to reinforce learning at home. Creating tiered assignments can help meet the diverse learning needs of your students. Copilot simplifies this process by quickly generating differentiated, engaging assignments for home practice. You can offer students personalized and enjoyable activities, even during breaks, without spending extensive time on planning.

Here’s an example prompt for creating a differentiated assignment for a middle school math class studying linear expressions. Consider how you might adjust the prompt to work for your subject area.

Create a fun winter break activity for seventh graders to determine if linear expressions are equivalent or inequivalent. Include 3-5 tasks using real-world applications, like comparing prices or deals on items, and demonstrate why this skill is important. Design a three-tiered assignment with tasks at varying difficulty levels, incorporating both equivalent and inequivalent linear expressions. For each task, provide 3-5 practice expressions.

Here are some ideas to customize your assignment further:

• Have Copilot create clear instructions that guide students to select a tier with problems that they can confidently solve with minimal help.
• Ask Copilot to create a scenario where students act as “math detectives,” using linear expressions to solve mysteries—turning tasks into a fun narrative where students follow clues to solve real-world problems.

Copilot saves time and helps you get started by generating ideas to help you create adaptable resources for various subjects and student needs.

3. Recommend your students’ next favorite book

School breaks often include passive activities like watching TV and playing video games. Offer students options for their free time by recommending books that match their interests. Simply share a student’s interests, preferred genres, or authors with Copilot for suggestions on personalized reading recommendations.

A book recommendation prompt might start off like this:

Recommend 10 science fiction novels for a tenth-grade student who is interested in computer science, featuring a strong female protagonist. Include diverse authors and the title of the book, author, and a short summary paragraph laid out in a table.

Follow up Copilot’s response with additional expectations that personalize the book recommendations for individual students. For example:

• Create a “choose your own adventure” book list, where students pick based on their mood: “Feeling adventurous? Try this book. Want a futuristic escape? Check out this one!”
• Ask Copilot to add discussion questions or reflection prompts for each book to foster critical thinking, like: “How does the protagonist’s journey mirror real-world challenges?”

Copilot helps you quickly generate personalized learning ideas, making it easy to tailor activities to student interests and increase engagement.

4. Generate fun pictures for engaging writing activities

As students count down the days until break, encourage engagement with fun and creative learning experiences. Copilot helps by generating eye-catching visuals, enhancing activities and sparking inspiration.

Here’s a prompt to create an image with Copilot:

Create a whimsical winter woodland scene where animals like foxes, rabbits, and hedgehogs are dressed in stylish human winter clothes. The scene should be snowy with tall, frosted trees and a path winding through the forest. The animals should be engaged in various activities like ice skating, having a tea party, sipping cocoa, and reading books.

Adding specific details will help Copilot generate a more accurate and vivid image. Customize the image with these ideas:

• Direct Copilot to provide detailed instructions for a creative writing assignment that uses the generated image. For example, “Write a story about your adventure in this enchanted forest. What secrets of the forest do they share with you? How do you join in their winter festivities?”
• Ask Copilot to generate an image in a completely different style such as a cartoon or a futuristic digital piece to inspire more creative writing responses.

Easily create interesting images with Copilot for your lessons to capture students’ attention and inspire creativity.

5. Draft a letter that shows families how to use Copilot

Copilot is a great tool for families, too. Enlist Copilot’s help to draft a winter break letter that shows caregivers how to generate ideas for fun activities or ways to recharge over school break using Copilot.

Try this prompt to get a starting point for your letter:

Draft a warm letter that thanks families for supporting their students during the first part of the school year. Highlight the importance of balancing relaxation with continued practice of classroom skills. Include a section explaining Microsoft Copilot with simple steps for using it on the web. Provide 3-5 prompt starters for creating fun, educational at-home activities.

Make sure to customize the prompt so that the letter reflects what you hope students will do over break. For example, you could:

• Have Copilot come up with prompt starters in a particular subject area like math, language arts, science, or social studies, giving families targeted ways to continue skill building.
• Ask Copilot to come up with prompt starters for family activities that encourage cooperation and collaboration, like “Plan a science experiment together.”

Quickly draft personalized communication with Copilot, making it easier to create messages that support families and save time during busy periods.

Integrate Copilot into your daily classroom routines

Copilot is here to support you as school breaks approach. Use the prompts in this post as a starting point and adapt them for your unique classroom needs. If you’re new to Copilot and want to learn more about how to get started, check out these resources to start making the most of your AI-powered assistant:

• Meet your AI assistant for education: Microsoft Copilot
• Enhance teaching and learning with Microsoft Copilot – Training
• Copilot Lab

Not heading into a break? Copilot can still be a valuable, everyday tool in your classroom. Explore these posts for more ways to integrate it into your daily routines:

• 5 ways Copilot can help you start the school year
• 6 ways to use Microsoft Copilot for end-of-school-year tasks
• Five quick prompting tips to get more from your AI assistant

Discover the endless possibilities of using Copilot as your AI classroom assistant today!

The post 5 ways Microsoft Copilot can help you finish your school term strong appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Based on feedback from leaders and educators in the field, we’ve made key updates to the AI Toolkit. From role-specific entry points to new AI Navigators, these enhancements are designed to empower your institution’s AI journey at every stage. Whether your institution is just getting started or looking to expand, you’ll find tools and resources you need to confidently advance your AI adoption.

Read on to discover the latest enhancements to the AI Toolkit.

AI Snapshots: Choose your path to AI success

Sometimes just getting started with AI is the hardest part. Our expanded AI Snapshots make adopting AI more accessible than ever. These strategic entry points provide step-by-step guidance for a variety of roles in your institution, ensuring that no matter your position, you can confidently integrate AI into your work.

AI snapshots offer ready-to-use solutions to everyday challenges. You’ll find helpful instructions, starting prompts, and iteration ideas to assist you in utilizing Microsoft AI tools effectively to achieve your goals. From generating data-driven student support recommendations to creating custom cybersecurity promptbooks, these AI Snapshots unlock powerful ways to enhance AI integration across your institution.

AI Navigators: Learn from real-world AI success stories

Curious about how other education institutions are adopting AI? The AI Navigators section of the toolkit highlights real-world examples of education institutions leading the way in AI adoption. These profiles offer insights into each Navigator’s research, experimentation, testing, and deployment of generative AI solutions, helping you follow in their footsteps and apply those lessons to your own institution.

We’ve added two new case studies to give you more inspiration: Auburn University and the Education University of Hong Kong Jockey Club Primary School. These navigators showcase how AI can enhance learning, boost efficiency, and build a culture of innovation. Use their stories to inspire your own AI strategy as you take your first steps towards AI adoption.

Take a closer look at how Auburn University empowers thousands of students, faculty, and staff to explore new ways of using AI with Microsoft Copilot. Play the video to get a glimpse of their AI journey in action.

Discover more insights from these stories in the toolkit and check out the following videos to get inspiration on how to implement AI at your own institution:

• Learn how the Northern Ireland Education Authority leverages Copilot to drive equity across their schools.
• Uncover how the University of Sydney utilizes the power of Azure OpenAI to allow professors to create their own AI assistants.
• Reveal how Coquitlam School District #43 partners with Microsoft to build secure infrastructure and enhance data insights.

Technical implementation guides: Optimize your AI rollout

One of the most important aspects of AI implementation is ensuring that your institution’s technology infrastructure can support it. We’ve expanded our collection of technical implementation guides, which provide detailed support for IT and education leaders. These guides outline the technical steps necessary to implement Microsoft AI solutions effectively and securely, helping you overcome common challenges and optimize the rollout process.

These detailed guides provide step-by-step instructions to ensure a smooth and secure rollout of Microsoft AI solutions like Microsoft 365 Copilot and Azure AI Studio. Each guide includes a dedicated “How to use” section, providing practical insights to help your team quickly and confidently get started using these AI tools.

The guides cover a range of Microsoft AI solutions, including:

• Microsoft Copilot
• Microsoft 365 Copilot
• Copilot in Windows
• Copilot for Security
• Azure AI Studio
• Microsoft Dynamics 365
• GitHub Copilot

Empower your IT team and leaders to implement Microsoft AI solutions across your institution.

Discover more ways to advance your AI journey

In addition to the AI Toolkit, these training resources offer practical insights and guidance that support your institution’s AI strategy. Whether you’re focused on classroom integration, technical skills, or exploring new AI-driven possibilities, these resources can help you build a strong foundation for success.

• AI for education resources and learning opportunities: Engage with a variety of resources and training modules on how to use AI for educational purposes with Microsoft.
• AI for educators learning pathway: Explore the potential of AI in education, enhance teaching and learning with Copilot, and equip and support learners.
• AI classroom Toolkit: Support educators with a creative learning resource that helps teach students how to use generative AI safely and responsibly.
• Microsoft Copilot scenario library: Get inspired with guidance by roles and departments such as IT, HR, Legal, Communications, Operations, and more.
• Copilot technical skilling resources: Use this collection of kits, learning paths, Microsoft Mechanics videos, resources for developers, and upcoming events for Microsoft 365 Copilot to dive deeper into the technical aspects of Copilot.

Whether you’re just starting with AI or refining your existing strategy, the updated Microsoft Education AI Toolkit has everything you need to integrate AI seamlessly into your institution. Take the next steps to unlock AI’s full potential in education.

The post Strengthen your AI strategy with the updated Microsoft Education AI Toolkit appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

This year, inspire your students to build a strong foundation for AI literacy with Minecraft Education and Microsoft resources, opening doors to exciting, AI-powered careers.

Build AI literacy and fuel STEM fascination with Minecraft Education

Minecraft Education’s AI Foundations offers an exciting opportunity to integrate AI literacy into your STEM lessons in a fun, interactive way. This comprehensive resource is designed for learners ages 8 and above and turns abstract AI concepts into immersive learning experiences through a platform they already love.

Featuring bite-sized animated videos, free teaching materials, a parent guide, and imaginative new Minecraft worlds where players solve real world problems and explore AI-related careers, AI Foundations builds AI literacy and fosters a love for problem-solving and creativity. Explore these three exciting offerings from AI Foundations.

Discover the power of AI through Fantastic Fairgrounds

Kick off your AI literacy lessons with the Fantastic Fairgrounds world, which introduces students to AI through engaging gameplay. They’ll assist Park Director Leslie in solving real-world problems in the park’s pavilions. Through interactive, hands-on challenges, students explore foundational AI concepts, practice data analysis, and tackle dilemmas. By the end of this experience, students will have a better understanding of AI fundamentals and gain insights into potential AI career paths.

Harness AI to address global challenges in AI for Earth

Help your students dive deeper into AI’s real-world potential through the AI for Earth collection. With five engaging lessons, students are introduced to how AI can help solve environmental challenges such as water quality monitoring, ocean observations, and sustainable farming. Each lesson highlights the tangible ways AI can be a force for good in addressing global issues.

Through these lessons, students will develop their problem-solving skills and gain deeper insights into how AI can make a difference in areas like environmental sustainability. Whether your students aspire to be engineers, data scientists, or policymakers, this collection demonstrates AI’s broader impact.

Journey into the world of AI with AI Adventures videos

Explore AI with your students in the exciting AI Adventures video series. These three bite-sized videos make AI approachable for everyone. Your students will join two curious companions as they discover the wonders of AI, its problem-solving capabilities, and the importance of responsible AI usage. The series, produced in partnership with Microsoft’s Democracy Forward initiative, begins with AI 101: Building the Basics, where an unlikely pair of friends learn how AI systems work.

The series also contains AI in Action: Using AI Tools Responsibly and AI for Good: Solving Problems with AI. Both videos underscore the importance of trustworthy AI use. These videos are not only informative but also fun, making them a great way to break down complex ideas.

By integrating AI literacy through Minecraft Education, educators empower students with essential STEM skills that combine problem-solving, creativity, and data-driven thinking with real-world AI applications. As AI becomes central to STEM fields like environmental science, healthcare, and technology, building these foundational skills prepares students for dynamic careers that drive innovation. Whether they aim to be engineers, data scientists, or researchers, these resources make AI a tangible and transformative part of STEM learning, ensuring students are ready to lead in a world where AI plays an essential role in shaping the future.

If you’re looking for even more ways to integrate AI into learning experiences, check out:

• Minecraft Prompt Lab: Learn how to use Microsoft Copilot with sample prompts to create dynamic game-based learning experiences.
• Hour of Code: Generation AI: Explore engaging coding tutorials that introduce students to AI concepts and considerations.

Teach foundational generative AI concepts with our classroom toolkit

The AI Classroom Toolkit is a creative resource that blends engaging narrative stories with instructional information to create an immersive learning experience for educators and students aged 13-15 years. Available in multiple languages, the AI Classroom Toolkit is accessible to a wide range of students, making it a versatile resource for fostering digital and AI literacy in diverse educational settings.

The toolkit is designed to assist you in initiating important conversations about responsible AI practices in the classroom. Students will gain valuable insights and develop practical skills to enhance their digital safety including:

• Fact-checking
• Cultivating good digital hygiene habits
• Safeguarding their data privacy
• Adopting strategies to manage their mental wellbeing effectively

This adaptable resource allows you to cover everything in a single lesson or break the information into four parts to offer more time for discussion and reflection. It also features guided “Try It Yourself” activities that let students explore various AI tools and applications. These hands-on experiences enrich the lessons, but aren’t essential for achieving the core learning objectives, offering flexibility for classrooms regardless of their adoption of generative AI tools.

Use this quick video guide to help you plan how to use the toolkit with your students. It offers practical tips on structuring your teaching sessions, ensuring students grasp the essentials of generative AI at a comfortable pace. If you’re comfortable with generative AI concepts and ready to start using the toolkit, this may be the easiest place to begin.

Empower your classroom with AI literacy skills

If you’re interested in learning more about AI on your own, check out our AI for educators learning pathway. 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 Microsoft Copilot.

As technology continues to advance, the need for qualified professionals in AI-fueled STEM fields will only increase. National STEM Day is an opportunity to ignite your students’ passion for STEM and equip them with the vital AI literacy they need to thrive in the future. Use these resources and tools from Minecraft Education and Microsoft to help you innovate on November 8 and empower students to become active participants in shaping the AI-powered world of tomorrow.

The post Full STEM ahead: Inspire students with AI-powered innovation on National STEM Day 2024 appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Through Minecraft’s Hour of Code activities, students of all ages can dive into computer science in fun, interactive ways that spark creativity, develop problem-solving and critical thinking, and build a foundational knowledge of basic coding.

Microsoft is empowering classrooms worldwide to connect through the power of computer science. Together, with Code.org, we’ve brought programs like Minecraft Hour of Code to students around the world, making coding fun, accessible, and engaging. The impact has been huge with Minecraft Hour of Code reaching nearly 300 million sessions since 2016.

Code the show, save the day with Minecraft

Step into a vibrant theater world to help save the day in Minecraft’s Hour of Code 2024: The Show Must Go On! In this new Hour of Code adventure, students will explore the theater to find the missing star, the Agent, while solving fun coding puzzles and interacting with lively characters. They will unlock hidden gags, customize the show, and plan an unforgettable performance.

Students can help the Agent overcome stage fright as they navigate backstage areas like the Dance Studio and Prop Department. For the grand finale, they will customize the stage show with their creative input and watch their coding skills come to life!

In this year’s exciting Hour of Code experience, students will: 

• Explore the theater to find the missing Agent and help them find their coding confidence. 
• Solve engaging coding puzzles throughout the venue.
• Team up with the Agent to create the Minecraft Hour of Code Extravaganza.
• Share their unique vision and grand finale with their friends.

While navigating the theater and discovering various departments, students will use the power of code to: 

• Compose toe-tapping tunes in the Recording Studio. 
• Choreograph dazzling dance routines in the Dance Studio.   
• Craft eye-catching props in the Prop Department. 
• Create show-stopping costumes in the Wardrobe. 

Explore Minecraft’s Hour of Code 2024: The Show Must Go On! today, and plan to join millions of students worldwide to celebrate the power of code during Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) December 9-15, 2024.

Join the global Hour of Code movement

In addition to this year’s new adventure, explore our growing collection of Minecraft Hour of Code activities that are available throughout the year. Each self-guided activity is approximately one hour long and can serve as a fun and creative introduction to coding and computer science.

• Generation AI: Venture through time to create AI-powered inventions. Students learn about the principles of Responsible AI through problem solving, creativity, and computational thinking.
• Escape Estate: Use coding and computational thinking to solve puzzles and escape from Dr. Breakowski’s mysterious mansion.
• Minecraft Timecraft: Travel back in time to save the future. Students choose their adventure and learn basic coding concepts to correct mysterious mishaps throughout history.
• Minecraft Tale of Two Villages: Leverage the power of code to bring the two villages together. Students develop cooperation and empathy while learning computer science skills.

Throughout the entire collection, students can develop core coding skills like:

• Problem solving: Develop logical thinking to create unique solutions.
• Debugging: Identify and resolve errors in code.
• Computational thinking: Create strategies and structures to solve challenges.

These fun coding activities bring a unique opportunity for you and your students to learn and play together while practicing interdisciplinary skills like collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

Minecraft Education resources to support teaching and learning

If you’re new to Minecraft Education or need a refresher, our training materials will help you navigate the platform with ease, understand its features, and guide your students through engaging activities. These resources can help you design meaningful tasks, set clear objectives, and effectively assess learning. Tailored for all experience levels, you can use these tools to incorporate Minecraft Education into your teaching practice and confidently lead your students through an Hour of Code.

Explore these popular resources to get started:

• Minecraft Education Teacher Academy: This four-part series, led by Microsoft Certified Educator Michael Barrett, will teach you pedagogical strategies for planning, assessing, and structuring Minecraft Education activities.
• Minecraft Trainer Academy: This module guides you through best practices for preparing and facilitating Minecraft Education training for your organization.
• Facilitate a Minecraft Hour of Code experience: This module equips you to successfully lead an Hour of Code session using Minecraft Education.
• Minecraft block coding academy: This learning path teaches you how to use Minecraft Education to teach programming skills and concepts to learners at all levels.

Deepen learning and student engagement with Minecraft Education

With Minecraft Education, Kent School District students are building critical skills for the future, such as AI literacy and coding. Recognizing Minecraft Education’s value, the district invested in scaled professional development to enable educators to effectively use this platform for teaching and learning. This initiative drove the integration of Minecraft Education across the curriculum in subjects ranging from chemistry and geography to library use as well as computer classes and English Language Arts (ELA). Since incorporating Minecraft Education as part of their Microsoft licensing agreement, Kent School District has seen a significant increase in student engagement.

“Every single time I use Minecraft, it makes my job easier,” says Mike Cline, an educator with Kent School District. “I see my students doing what they love and being creative. They have a spark in their eyes when they have the opportunity to show themselves—who they really are—or learn something new in Minecraft. Minecraft is another useful tool for my students, one that can make learning more fun: allowing them to do amazing things that help make the world a better place.”

Hour of Code is a perfect opportunity to ignite your students’ passion for coding—whether during CSEdWeek or anytime throughout the year. With Minecraft’s Hour of Code 2024: The Show Must Go On!, your students can experience the excitement of coding while developing essential future-ready skills. Join millions of students worldwide in celebrating the global Hour of Code movement and watch your students bring their ideas to life—one line of code at a time!

The post Code, create, and take the spotlight: Minecraft’s Hour of Code 2024 appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

With inclusive activities from Minecraft Education and AI-powered tools like Microsoft Copilot, you can create engaging and easy-to-implement learning experiences to honor Indigenous Heritage Month 2024. Integrate these resources to foster appreciation and recognize the cultural perseverance, innovation, and resilience of Indigenous communities. Help all students develop a broader appreciation of Indigenous heritage and leadership—while ensuring Indigenous students see their cultures valued and celebrated.

Honoring Indigenous cultures with Minecraft Education

Minecraft Education offers students the opportunity to step into another world, where they can explore Indigenous knowledge and traditions through immersive learning. These ready-made worlds let your students engage with the history, values, and contributions of Indigenous peoples in a way that is fun, hands-on, and meaningful.

Here are four Minecraft worlds that celebrate Indigenous history, culture, and innovation:

• A Pacific Northwest Coast Experience (grades 2–12): Take your students on a journey created with the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) First Nation in which they’ll go back in time to help a coastal community prepare for winter. Through this immersive experience, students learn about Indigenous traditional ecological knowledge, the interconnectedness of all living things, and what it takes to build a self-sustaining village.
• Manito Ahbee Aki (grades 3–6): Dive into Anishinaabe culture and teachings with this world that encourages students to strengthen their writing and critical thinking skills. Along the way, they’ll gain insights into Indigenous perspectives on community, leadership, and the importance of cultural continuity.
• Indigenous Stories (all ages): Show students the power of oral traditions through research and storytelling. In this easy-to-teach build challenge world, they’ll develop literacy and art skills by illustrating stories told by Native people, connecting with the rich tradition of passing knowledge through generations.
• NGĀ MOTU – The Islands (all ages): Set in Aotearoa (New Zealand), this world takes students on a journey to discover the Indigenous language, culture, and environmental stewardship practices of the Māori people. Students will expand their understanding of how Indigenous peoples across the globe have cared for the land for centuries.

Whether you’re new to Minecraft or a seasoned pro, these experiences are designed to be intuitive and engaging for students of all ages.

Bring inclusive lessons to life with Copilot

In addition to immersing students in Indigenous cultures and histories with Minecraft Education, Copilot can streamline lesson planning for Indigenous Heritage Month, helping you create engaging and culturally responsive lessons in a fraction of the time.

With just a few prompts, Copilot helps you gather everything you need from historical insights to meaningful videos and interactive activities that honor Indigenous communities. Copilot goes beyond content creation. It can also recommend alternative perspectives, highlight important themes, and suggest activities aligned with standards, ensuring your lessons are both impactful and inclusive.

Copy and paste these prompts into Copilot to get started. Tailor them in a way that aligns with your specific classroom needs and objectives.

• Create an inquiry-based unit plan for secondary students that investigates contemporary issues affecting Indigenous communities in the [specific region]. Explore topics like tribal sovereignty, land rights, and cultural preservation. Include discussion prompts to encourage critical thinking. Use unbiased primary and secondary sources. Provide a detailed student rubric.
• Design an engaging set of [grade or age level] lessons on the significance of language revitalization in Indigenous communities. Have students research the history of Indigenous languages, the impact of colonization on language loss, and contemporary revitalization efforts. Students can write a reflection or narrate an oral history about why language preservation is vital to maintaining cultural identity and how it’s supported today. Include age-appropriate reading materials, multimedia resources, and interactive activities that align with [grade or age level and specific standards] standards.
• Develop a lesson plan for [grade or age level] students focused on the contributions of Indigenous leaders in environmental stewardship and sustainable practices. Allow students to explore one or more Indigenous environmentalists or traditional ecological knowledge systems, aligned with [grade or age level and specific standards] standards. Suggest notable and lesser-known Indigenous figures, including both well-recognized and emerging leaders. Include hands-on activities, and relevant historical content.

Copilot makes it easier for you to craft meaningful, impactful lessons that celebrate Indigenous contributions. Customize units and lessons across subjects and grade levels, ensuring they meet standards while honoring Indigenous cultures.

Extend Indigenous voices beyond the lesson plan

You can also use Copilot to enrich your classroom by engaging students with Indigenous voices in ways that go beyond traditional lessons. By adding your insights, Copilot can suggest guest speakers, virtual tours of significant Indigenous cultural sites, and collaborative projects that connect students with Indigenous community leaders. It can also help you curate recommendations for literature, music, and artwork by Indigenous creators to bring authentic, diverse experiences into your classroom.

Copy and paste these prompts into Copilot to discover ways to create a more inclusive and diverse learning environment. Tailor them in a way that aligns with your specific classroom needs and objectives.

• Generate a list of resources of Indigenous sites, historical landmarks, or places of significance near [city, geographic location, etc.]. Include ancient gathering spots, sacred lands, or culturally important areas. Identify ways a class could visit these spots virtually (e.g., virtual field trips, videos, images, articles). Connect each site to the history and identity of local Indigenous communities.
• Develop a month-long reflective journaling activity for [grade or age level] students on Indigenous land and culture. Have students investigate the history of Indigenous tribes in [city, geographic location, etc.] using resources you curate. Encourage students to reflect on how this history changes their view of the land and their relationship to it. Throughout the month, provide prompts for students to reflect on how they can respect and honor Indigenous connections to the land today.
• Create a selection of age-appropriate literature and picture books by Indigenous authors for [grade or age level] students. Include books that showcase a range of Indigenous cultures and perspectives without reinforcing stereotypes. Provide a brief theme and summary for each book, highlighting the unique voices and stories of the authors.

Whether you’re looking to introduce new voices into your classroom or create immersive, reflective experiences for your students, Copilot helps you go beyond the basics and offers rich, engaging content that resonates with your students.

During Indigenous Heritage Month, let Minecraft Education and Copilot help you bring Indigenous voices into your classroom in ways that are both impactful and easy to implement. Minecraft Education’s immersive worlds celebrate the rich cultures and contributions of Indigenous communities, while Copilot can assist you in crafting thoughtful, culturally responsive lessons. With these powerful tools, you can create meaningful learning experiences that will inspire your students all year long.

Curious about how the vivid tapestry of the Indigenous community surfaces across Microsoft? Explore stories and more from our colleagues who are helping set a standard for the future of technology and the ways we bring ourselves to work.

The post Elevate Indigenous voices during Indigenous Heritage Month appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

A July 2024 Forrester report commissioned by Microsoft found that education institutions using Azure OpenAI Service saw improved student outcomes, streamlined operations, and increased access to technology. By Year 3, they are expected to boost content generation efficiency by 30% to 60% and improve chatbot resolution rates by 20% to 50%, driving positive impacts on graduation and employment rates.

As AI adoption accelerates, institutions must also prioritize trust by focusing on scalable security, data privacy, and governance measures. Microsoft supports this transition with AI solutions that integrate built-in protections, addressing risks such as prompt injections and bias, while maintaining data privacy and compliance to safeguard institutions.

Join us as we explore five key use cases of generative AI in higher education, along with examples of institutions that have successfully implemented AI to deliver more equitable and personalized student experiences.

1. Around-the-clock real-time campus support

As student expectations evolve, meeting their demand for around-the-clock support has become a critical factor in student satisfaction and institutional efficiency. For example, Tecnológico de Monterrey’s TECgpt is an AI platform that offers quick access to information like tuition, scholarships, and campus services, allowing users to retrieve personal details, such as scholarship status, within minutes.

Similarly, the University of South Florida improved response times and reduced staff workloads by automating IT ticketing with Azure OpenAI, launching an AI-powered Help Desk in just one week. The University of Hong Kong has also deployed several Azure OpenAI-powered chatbots to handle IT queries, administrative tasks, and course selection, freeing staff to focus on more complex issues. Education leaders are automating routine tasks and delivering personalized academic assistance at scale, boosting retention and accelerating graduation rates while streamlining operations.

I can invest more time in people now that I don’t have to worry about those recurring repetitive tasks because people are what it’s all about. It is revolutionizing all our workflows, our teaching, and our learning spaces quite rapidly. With Copilot, we’re able to do things bigger, better, but also equitably across the university space. It’s changing the way we do everything, and that is a big deal.

Tim Henkel, Assistant Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning, University of South Florida (USF)

AI innovations are reshaping how institutions engage with students by offering around-the-clock support for inquiries about housing, student life, and campus services, significantly enhancing the overall student experience. These AI tools also provide personalized academic and career guidance, helping students select courses, optimize degree plans, and receive tailored advising.

Additionally, AI-powered virtual assistants streamline the financial aid process, guiding students through eligibility requirements, deadlines, and submissions, ensuring timely completion. Through AI integration, institutions can deliver responsive, student-centered services while improving operational efficiency, ultimately enriching the campus experience.

2. Personalize learning experiences at scale

In an environment where institutional success depends on student engagement and outcomes, personalized learning is becoming a strategic priority. With Data Science in Microsoft Fabric and Azure AI Services, institutions can integrate real-time data analysis from their LMS, leveraging AI to customize lessons, content, and pacing based on student performance.  AI tutors provide personalized, instant feedback, helping students make continuous progress and tackle challenging tasks with confidence. These tools empower institutions to deliver adaptive learning tailored to each student’s needs.

The Azure OpenAI Service provided remarkably high-quality hints generated by GPT-4 from a robust and scalable API that reliably handled heavy loads from hundreds of students working simultaneously near homework deadlines.

John DeNero, Faculty Director and Associate Teaching Professor, UC Berkeley

Universities around the world are leveraging AI to improve student outcomes and streamline administrative tasks. At the University of Sydney, the Cogniti platform utilizes AI teaching assistants to tailor feedback and adjust learning paths, boosting student engagement and academic success. IU International University of Applied Sciences in Germany offers an AI study buddy, Syntea, with always-available multilingual support and enhanced student engagement through personalized feedback. It also reduces course completion times by 27%, all while seamlessly integrating across platforms like myCampus and Microsoft Teams.

Similarly, UC Berkeley’s 61A-Bot, a specialized AI assistant powered by Azure OpenAI Service, has significantly enhanced student learning by providing real-time support and reducing homework completion times in their computer science courses. As institutions worldwide adopt AI-driven solutions, education leaders are transforming both learning personalization and operational efficiency, driving significant improvements in student success.

3. Accelerate learning for all with multi-language support

AI improves educational access by offering multi-language support through real-time translation, note-taking, and content delivery, enabling all students to engage fully in their preferred language. Flexible learning options allow students to review materials at their own pace, while chatbots offer seamless language transitions and targeted support to enhance comprehension and engagement.

By utilizing the advanced language models in Azure OpenAI Service, Cool English is taking an innovative step for English education in Taiwan, helping students reach their learning goals and overcome the challenges of limited opportunities for real-life conversational and writing practice.

Dr. Hao-Jan Howard Chen, Professor, Department of English at National Taiwan Normal University

This potential is already being realized through initiatives like National Taiwan Normal University’s “Cool English” platform, powered by Azure OpenAI, which has helped over 1.4 million students enhance their English skills through adaptive, conversational practice. Similarly, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) developed a multilingual chatbot to help EFL students write essays in English, offering seamless language switching and personalized guidance outside class hours. Powered by Azure OpenAI’s advanced models, the chatbot provides feedback and answers questions to help students improve their writing without generating essays for them. AI-powered language tools help create inclusive learning environments, enhance student outcomes, and attract a diverse international student body.

4. Accelerate academic research

AI is transforming academic research by accelerating discovery and innovation, and automating tasks like literature reviews, data analysis, and report generation. In April 2023, Microsoft Research launched the Accelerating Foundation Models Research (AFMR) initiative to accelerate the use of large-scale AI models in academia. Through Azure AI Services, AFMR provides universities with access to powerful foundation models, supporting research in fields such as healthcare, scientific discovery, and multicultural empowerment. With over 200 projects in 15 countries, AFMR is building a global AI research community.

If you have a really good idea, it’s very hard to just search the literature and try to find everything. This is sort of like having a super adviser, a brilliant astronomer with an encyclopedic memory who can say, ‘Well, that could be a very good idea and here’s why,’ or ‘That’s likely a bad idea and here’s why.’

Alyssa Goodman, Robert Wheeler Wilson Professor of Applied Astronomy, Harvard University

Universities are harnessing foundation models to accelerate scientific discovery and hypothesis generation. A collaboration between astronomers at Harvard University and The Australian National University has led to the development of an astronomy-focused chat application that utilizes GPT-4. This tool draws from over 300,000 astronomy papers, helping researchers extract key information and analyze data to develop new theories.

At Georgia Tech, researchers are utilizing Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service to analyze global EV charging data, uncovering insights for policy development and improving infrastructure reliability to support sustainable and equitable EV adoption. With AI solutions like Azure OpenAI Service, higher education institutions can automate repetitive tasks, improve collaboration, and scale research efforts, all while ensuring data security and focusing on high-impact academic work.

5. Trustworthy AI for education

There is a critical need for organizations to deploy AI responsibly. As AI transforms education, decision makers must ensure these systems are secure, private, and fair. A key strategy is to choose AI platforms with built-in safeguards, like content filtering and bias detection. For example, South Australia’s Department for Education successfully piloted EdChat, an AI chatbot powered by Azure AI, which protects 1,500 students across eight schools from harmful content while empower educators to focus on the benefits.

Equally important is the protection of sensitive student information. With built-in features to safeguard text content, including moderation and groundedness detection, institutions can ensure responsible AI deployment while protecting student data with enterprise-grade security and robust privacy measures to prevent breaches.

Key principles of trustworthy AI:

• Security: AI systems must be resilient against threats.
• Safety: AI must operate reliably in sensitive environments like classrooms.
• Privacy: Protecting personal data is essential to maintain trust.

AI is not just a tool—it’s the catalyst for a new era in education. By enhancing student support, personalizing learning, and accelerating academic research, AI empowers institutions to break down barriers, expand access, and create more inclusive and innovative learning environments. Those who embrace AI today will lead the future of education, building adaptable, forward-thinking institutions focused on student success.

The question is no longer if AI should be integrated, but how quickly it can be implemented to unlock its full potential. The future of education is here—is your institution ready to lead it?

Ready to transform your institution with AI? Partner with Microsoft to unlock new possibilities and drive educational success:

• Explore how AI can empower your institution.
• Download the Microsoft Education AI Toolkit.
• Use this Microsoft Learn Collection to explore, build, and deploy AI solutions with Azure AI Studio.

The post How higher education is reimagining student experiences with Azure OpenAI Service appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

We’re over the moon to introduce two new stellar additions to our universe: the James Webb Space Telescope Challenge and Artemis: Moon Base One. These exciting new worlds join our existing Artemis mission series, creating an out-of-this-world journey that will take students from Earth to the Moon and beyond.

Unveiling the Universe with the James Webb Space Telescope

Have you ever gazed up at the night sky and wondered what secrets the universe holds?  Now you can introduce your students to the wonders of space with the new James Webb Space Telescope Challenge. Developed in collaboration with NASA and aligned with global science curricula for ages 8-14, this immersive lesson offers a hands-on journey through space exploration. Students will learn about the telescope’s mission, star formation, planets, galaxies, and exoplanet, as well as participate in a creative solar system-building challenge.

As students embark on their cosmic adventure, they’ll tackle essential questions that drive real astronomers: What exactly is the James Webb Space Telescope, and what can it do? How do stars and planets differ? And how can we model the vast structures of our universe?

Imagine walking into a virtual Solar System Room, where a magnificent diorama of our cosmic neighborhood awaits. With a simple click, students can interact with each celestial body, uncovering the secrets of planet sizes, types, and even their distinctive colors. Did you know that Mars is red due to iron oxide on its surface, or that Uranus appears cyan because of methane in its atmosphere? These are just a few of the fascinating facts students will discover.

But the journey doesn’t stop at our solar system. In the Star Formation and Types module, learners will dive into the lifecycle of stars, from birth in nebulae to their eventual fate. They’ll explore the characteristics of different star classes, from the scorching blue-white O-class stars like Zeta Ophiuchi to the cooler, orange K-class stars like Aldebaran.

The adventure continues in the Galaxy Room, where students meet the charismatic NPC Dr. Ceres. Under her guidance, they’ll unravel the mysteries of our Milky Way and venture into the realm of other galaxies. Black holes, nebulae, and the grand structures of the universe all come to life in this captivating virtual space.

But the real excitement begins with the Build Challenge. Here, students become cosmic architects, designing their own solar systems or even galaxies! They’ll grapple with decisions that mirror those of real planetary scientists: What type of central star (or black hole!) will anchor their system? How many planets will orbit it? Will there be asteroid belts? As they build, they’ll apply everything they’ve learned about planet types, sizes, and compositions.

Throughout their journey, students can document their discoveries using in-game cameras and journals, creating a record of their cosmic explorations. This simulated scientific expedition takes them to the farthest reaches of the universe, all from the comfort of their classroom or home.

The James Webb Space Telescope Challenge ignites curiosity, fosters scientific thinking, and inspires the next generation of space explorers. By the end of this experience, students will have gained not only knowledge but also a genuine sense of wonder at the vastness and complexity of our universe.

Sign up for a Special Classroom Event

Join us with your class for a special webinar with leaders from NASA and Minecraft to learn about this incredible tool and dive into astronomy with the pros. Sessions available in English, Spanish, and Arabic.

To the Moon and Beyond: The Artemis Missions

But why stop at observing from afar? With our Artemis mission series, students can take one giant leap for education and experience lunar exploration firsthand.

Our partnership with NASA brings the excitement of the Artemis program to life in the blocky world of Minecraft. Students will follow in the footsteps of astronauts, from the thrill of rocket launches to the challenges of establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon.

A New Frontier: Moon Base One – The Ultimate Artemis Challenge

Imagine stepping onto the lunar surface, your heart racing as you contemplate the monumental task ahead: building humanity’s first permanent Moon base. This isn’t a scene from a sci-fi movie – it’s the thrilling finale of our Artemis series in Minecraft Education.

Artemis: Moon Base One brings the ultimate goal of NASA’s Artemis program to life in the blocky, imaginative world of Minecraft. Just as Artemis 3 aims to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon, our latest world challenges students to do the same, all while grappling with the real scientific and logistical challenges of lunar living.

We’ve designed Moon Base One as a rich, role-playing experience that puts students in the astronaut’s boots. Why? Because when learners step into the role of lunar pioneers, something magical happens. Suddenly, they’re not just reading about space exploration – they’re living it. The challenges of producing oxygen, generating power, growing food, and protecting against radiation become personal puzzles to solve. This approach ignites imagination, fosters empathy, and allows students to tackle real-world problems in a safe, virtual environment.

The beauty of Moon Base One lies in its flexibility. Students can choose to brave the lunar frontier solo, fostering independence and self-reliance, or team up with classmates to build a collaborative lunar colony. The choice between survival mode and creative mode adds another layer of customization. In survival mode, every decision counts as players manage limited resources and confront unexpected challenges. It’s a true test of problem-solving skills and resilience. Creative mode, on the other hand, gives free rein to students’ imaginations, allowing them to design ambitious lunar colonies without resource constraints – perfect for those big, bold ideas that could shape our future in space.

As students explore their lunar home, they’ll find themselves pondering questions that real NASA scientists grapple with daily: How can we sustain human life in such a harsh environment? What resources can we use on the Moon? How does reduced gravity affect our construction plans? What groundbreaking research could we conduct from our lunar base? These questions drive the experience, pushing students to think critically and creatively about the future of space exploration.

But Moon Base One goes beyond just building a cool space base (although that’s definitely part of it!). This experience develops crucial skills that are vital not just for space exploration, but for any future career. Resource management, scientific thinking, engineering design, collaboration, communication, adaptability, problem-solving – all these skills and more are honed as students work to make their lunar base a success.

By the time students complete their Moon Base One mission, they’ll have gained a deep appreciation for the complexities of space exploration and the incredible ingenuity required to make it possible. They’ll understand why establishing a lunar base is such a crucial steppingstone for humanity’s journey into space, paving the way for even more ambitious missions, like a journey to Mars.

Who knows? The lunar habitats your students design today might just inspire the real Moon bases of tomorrow. With Moon Base One, we’re skilling the next generation become part of humanity’s greatest adventure.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Explorers

The Minecraft Education and NASA partnership is predicated on the innate curiosity we have about the stars and the experiences on earth needed to cultivate the skills and mindset needed for the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers. Critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity are all put to the test as students navigate these cosmic challenges.

By bringing cutting-edge space science into the familiar, engaging world of Minecraft, we’re making these complex topics accessible and exciting for learners of all backgrounds. Who knows? The first person to set foot on Mars might be inspired by building their first Moon base in Minecraft!

Ready for Launch?

The James Webb Space Telescope Challenge and all Artemis missions, including the new Moon Base One, are available now for Minecraft Education. We can’t wait to see the incredible discoveries and creations your students will make as they explore these new frontiers.

So, are you ready to launch your classroom into space? Download these cosmic learning experiences today and prepare for an educational adventure that’s truly out of this world. Let’s inspire the next generation of space explorers, one block at a time!

The post Craft the Cosmos: Inspire Tomorrow’s Space Explorers with Minecraft’s New NASA inspired Worlds appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

“We teamed with Microsoft because we share a fundamental belief: that educators must be at the center of technological integration so AI supplements, rather than substitutes, the human connection that is the cornerstone of teaching and learning,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “This symposium is just the beginning of an ongoing collaboration between AFT, Microsoft, and other stakeholders within the AI and education communities, and will ensure the dialogue continues well beyond 2024.”

“AI presents an opportunity to enhance worker experience, giving teachers more time to get back to their true passion—educating young people,” said Amy Pannoni, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, HR at Microsoft. “That focus is what made this symposium unique. The gathering brought educators together with technology leaders to learn how to leverage new AI tools and provide feedback on their development and deployment. The symposium was a launch point for AI learning and dialogue and part of a broader set of commitments between Microsoft and the AFL-CIO.”

By fostering collaboration between educators and technology leaders, we aim to ensure that AI tools are developed with the needs of teachers and students in mind. This ongoing collaboration underscores Microsoft’s commitment to empowering educators and enhancing the learning experience through innovative technology.

Leveraging AI to support educators

At the AI Symposium, we heard from educators and leaders that a key concern is educator burnout and heavy workloads. We believe that technology and AI offers a way forward. During the event, teachers let us know that they’re already using AI tools that boost their creativity like Microsoft Copilot and Khanmigo for Teachers for content development.

The promise of AI can go farther by supporting teachers in some of their most complex and time-consuming challenges:

• Curriculum planning is a popular use case for AI. With Copilot and AI-powered tools like Khanmigo for Teachers, educators can quickly build lesson plans, find references and resources, and deliver standards-aligned weekly calendars of activities and content.
• Differentiating instruction: Transforming existing materials is a powerful way to enhance teaching with AI. Whether it’s adding complexity to a reading passage to keep students engaged, personalizing materials for learners to build confidence, or even adjusting the language or pedagogical style of worksheets and other materials, transforming content is a great way to leverage AI tools. 
• Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are critical for documentation and planning to ensure all students are supported. However, they take a tremendous amount of time for teachers to develop and customize. Tools like the IEP generator in Khanmigo for Teachers can help save time by simplifying the process. Educators can add their ideas, reference a broad set of historical IEPs, and quickly develop personalized plans for each student.
• Preparing students for the future: Educators can support students in building future-ready skills like AI literacy so that they can thrive in a rapidly changing work landscape. AI-powered tools can play a crucial role in this process, helping students develop the competencies they need for success.
• AI for brainstorming: By prompting Copilot or other AI-powered tools to take on the role of a pedagogical expert or other type of advisor to help with brainstorming, educators can develop their ideas further and more quickly, helping to bridge the gap from idea to classroom.

A collaborative approach

Use of AI in education requires attention to privacy, fairness, and transparency. Microsoft’s partnership with AFT creates a collaborative approach to developing trustworthy AI. By keeping teachers and students at the center of development educational technology, AI can continue to be a tool for support, creativity, and productivity that includes everyone in the opportunities and benefits of AI.

“Our members know their students best. And that expertise is what’s needed to make AI work for everyone,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten.

By bringing together thought leaders, educators, and technologists to explore the potential of AI in education, we can ensure the trustworthy and equitable use of AI. AI can enhance teaching and learning experiences when teachers’ voices lead the conversation. We look forward to building an expanding collaboration with educators as we meet the possibilities of AI in education together.

The post Teachers lead the way in co-creating AI solutions that empower education appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

This October, many education institutions are celebrating Cybersecurity Awareness Month, an effort to encourage actions to reduce online risk and generate discussion on cyberthreats both nationally and globally. This year’s theme, “Secure Our World,” helps organizations consider the importance of taking daily action to reduce risks when online and using connected devices. To assist your efforts, we’re sharing three tips for IT professionals on ways to boost cybersecurity in your school community.

As an IT professional, your role is vital in protecting sensitive school data, securing devices, and maintaining safe learning environments. Microsoft cybersecurity solutions like passwordless multifactor authentication (MFA), Defender for Endpoint P2-Students, and Copilot for Security are designed to help you defend your school’s devices and data. Additionally, information from the latest Cyber Signals report can assist in creating a secure environment that persists through any cybersecurity challenges that might arise.

Assessing the cyber signals in K-20 education

The latest edition of Microsoft’s Cyber Signals report covers cybersecurity challenges facing classrooms and campuses everywhere and the urgent need for robust defenses and proactive security measures. The digital footprint made by schools, colleges, and universities has multiplied exponentially—from virtual classes to classified research stored in the cloud—requiring IT professionals to remain vigilant and focused on emerging cyberthreats.

Education continues to be one of the most targeted industries for cyberattacks and social engineering exploits that trick people into disclosing personally identifiable information (PII). According to the report:

• Education was the third most targeted industry for cybercriminals over the past three months. The US had the greatest threat activity.
• Over 15,000 phishing messages with malicious QR codes were sent each day to people in the education sector.
• Higher education institutions encounter an average of 2,507 cyberattacks each week.

These signals reinforce what you already know: the education community is the “tip of the spear” for cybercriminals because of its data-rich environments, legacy infrastructure, and the security risks created by people who are often extremely busy. Despite these hurdles, there are steps you can take to strengthen your institution’s security posture. Discover a few tips that you can implement today.

1. Secure all accounts with passwordless MFA

K-12 schools, colleges, and universities are increasingly adopting passwordless MFA as a more secure way to protect accounts when people like young students don’t have a phone or secondary device. The solution uses MFA techniques and a temporary access pass (TAP) for verification, eliminating the chance of a weak, overused password becoming compromised.

Passwordless authentication also helps create efficiencies and saves you time. Your students, faculty, and staff don’t have to remember complex passwords, and you spend less time resetting passwords when they are forgotten.

PII, such as social security numbers (SSNs) in the US, are attractive for cybercriminals to steal from K-12 school districts because the relatively little-used SSNs of a child might be usable for widespread fraud well before the identity theft is detected.

Cyber Signals Issue 8, October 2024

Microsoft Entra ID can enable passwordless MFA for everyone at all education levels using device-bound services like Windows Hello that aren’t transmitted or stored on outside platforms. This type of MFA involves sharing a TAP that onboards students to passwordless sign-in methods. Even if a cybercriminal steals a TAP, they can’t access the account on another device because of the device-bound requirements.

By adopting passwordless MFA, your school or institution can enhance overall security and also meet the stringent requirements for cyber insurance. K-12 schools can also take advantage of funding opportunities like the FCC’s $200 million Cybersecurity Pilot Program for schools in the US.

To get started using passwordless MFA for students, check out these resources:

• Empowering secure and seamless learning: Learn more about using MFA without a smartphone and leveraging passwordless device access instead.
• Passwordless authentication options: Explore the different methods available for Microsoft Entra ID.

2. Secure student devices with Defender for Endpoint P2-Students

Students face cyberthreats when they use a connected device, browse the Internet, or check their messages—even if the cyberthreats aren’t apparent to them. Cybercriminals are pivoting to new attack methods like using QR codes to deliver malware through email and even campus fliers. This opens new security loopholes because QR codes are often scanned with unprotected personal devices.

Recently the United States Federal Trade Commission issued a consumer alert on the rising threat of malicious QR codes being used to steal log-in credentials or deliver malware.

Cyber Signals Issue 8, October 2024

You can ensure secure learning experiences with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint P2-Students. This highly discounted, comprehensive solution secures endpoint devices with industry-leading, multiplatform threat detection and response. It works in concert with Microsoft 365 to stop phishing, ransomware, and malware even if the attacks originate from a nontraditional method like a QR code image. With Defender for Endpoint P2-Students, you’ll be able to:

• Detect and prevent threats.
• Disrupt attacks automatically.
• Offer more secure web browsing.
• Encrypt device data and protect privacy.
• Maintain security with continuous updates.

By implementing Defender for Endpoint P2-Students, your school can significantly enhance its cybersecurity posture while giving students the protection they need to learn in a safe digital environment.

Explore this tool in more depth in Defend against threats with Microsoft 365, a learning path designed to help you use Microsoft Defender to the fullest.

3. Extend your threat-fighting capabilities with Copilot for Security

Cybercriminals often target sensitive financial, health, and personal data stored by schools and institutions alike. The consequences of a data breach in higher education are particularly worrisome—many universities handle federally funded research and sensitive intellectual property that’s valuable to nation-state actors. Unauthorized access not only puts institutional security and reputation at risk, but it also can have implications for our nation’s security when the data is part of a defense contract or when the research involves intellectual property from a company sponsor.

The types of threats that we’re seeing, the types of events that are occurring in higher education, are much more aggressive by cyber adversaries.

David McMorries, Chief Information Security Officer at Oregon State University

Copilot for Security can help you discover, analyze, detect, and remediate your organization’s cyberthreats. Simply ask Copilot a question, and it will return an actionable response in seconds that helps you tackle common security tasks. Copilot for Security allows you to effortlessly and seamlessly:

• Analyze threats.
• Learn about security incidents.
• Generate profiles of threat actors.
• Summarize threat intelligence.
• Create policies and configure devices.
• Discover users who might be at risk for data exploitation.

By integrating Copilot for Security into your daily operations, you receive customized guidance based on signals from each of your security tools and Microsoft’s industry-leading threat intelligence. It also minimizes much of the research and legwork that goes into investigating and remediating cybersecurity issues which saves you time so that you can focus on other IT responsibilities.

Use the Get started with Microsoft Copilot for Security learning path on Microsoft Learn to discover how Copilot for Security helps IT professionals address end-to-end cybersecurity scenarios. Looking for ways to empower your student-led security operations center (SOC) with security AI? Check out these best practices for maximizing the potential of your student-led SOC with Copilot for Security.

For Cybersecurity Month 2024, explore Microsoft solutions like passwordless MFA, Defender for Endpoint P2-Students, and Copilot for Security to help you stay ahead of emerging threats. To build practical skills, dive into learning paths for IT professionals to gain in-depth knowledge about all of our cybersecurity, compliance, and identity solutions. These tools and resources can support you in securing your school’s digital infrastructure and creating a safer learning environment one step at a time.

The post Three tips for IT professionals for Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2024 appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.