Minecraft Education News and Insights| Microsoft Education Blog http://approjects.co.za/?big=en-us/education/blog/product/minecraft-education/ Tue, 29 Oct 2024 23:30:11 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 Full STEM ahead: Inspire students with AI-powered innovation on National STEM Day 2024 http://approjects.co.za/?big=en-us/education/blog/2024/10/full-stem-ahead-inspire-students-with-ai-powered-innovation-on-national-stem-day-2024/ Wed, 30 Oct 2024 16:00:00 +0000 Celebrate National STEM Day by helping your students build AI literacy with resources from Minecraft Education and Microsoft.

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STEM subjects and disciplines permeate nearly every aspect of students’ daily lives, from social media algorithms to robotics and video games. AI is one of the most transformative elements in modern STEM and it’s shaping fields across technology, healthcare, and environmental science. National STEM Day, celebrated in the US on November 8 each year, is an ideal opportunity to introduce students to AI literacy, equipping them with essential knowledge and skills in this rapidly growing field

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

Through hands-on activities in Fantastic Fairgrounds, you’ll gain the skills to understand, evaluate, and use AI.

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

Decorative. A helicopter flying over a forest of trees in Minecraft.
Learn the principles of AI and help students take their first steps into this exciting realm of computer science with 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.

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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

Learn what defines AI and how AI systems work in this short video that demystifies AI with an unlikely pair of pals.

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

AI resources for educators

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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.

Learn how to plan and pace lessons using the AI Classroom Toolkit.

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.

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Code, create, and take the spotlight: Minecraft’s Hour of Code 2024 http://approjects.co.za/?big=en-us/education/blog/2024/10/code-create-and-take-the-spotlight-minecrafts-hour-of-code-2024/ Tue, 29 Oct 2024 16:00:00 +0000 Celebrate the power of code with Minecraft’s Hour of Code 2024: The Show Must Go On! Dive into computer science in fun, interactive ways.

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Minecraft’s Hour of Code is back this year with a brand-new adventure! Let your students code, create, and take the spotlight with Hour of Code 2024: The Show Must Go On! In this bustling theater-themed lesson, students become the star coder, director, and creative mastermind. Solve puzzles and learn key computer science skills while saving the show!

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.

In Minecraft’s “Hour of Code 2024: The Show Must Go On!” students will solve coding puzzles while engaging with lively characters in a theater world.

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.
Decorative. In-game play of an audience of non-player characters (NPCs) from Minecraft’s Hour of Code 2024 adventure, The Show Must Go On!
Code the show, save the day in Minecraft’s “Hour of Code 2024: The Show Must Go On!

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.
Decorative. Four high school students playing Minecraft on laptops in a school classroom.
Students can develop core coding skills and interdisciplinary skills like collaboration with Minecraft Education.

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.

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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.

Watch how middle school teacher Mike Cline incorporates AI learning into his geography class with Minecraft Education.

Enhancing student engagement

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“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!

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Elevate Indigenous voices during Indigenous Heritage Month http://approjects.co.za/?big=en-us/education/blog/2024/10/elevate-indigenous-voices-during-indigenous-heritage-month/ Thu, 24 Oct 2024 16:00:00 +0000 Celebrate Indigenous Heritage Month 2024 with inclusive activities from Microsoft Education.

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In November, we celebrate Indigenous Heritage Month at Microsoft, a time to recognize and honor the rich histories and cultures of Indigenous peoples. We also take the opportunity to acknowledge that inclusive educational practices are more important than ever. This helps ensure that Indigenous students see their cultures reflected and celebrated, while all students gain a deeper appreciation for the diverse experiences of Indigenous communities.

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

Travel back in time with Minecraft Education to experience Indigenous culture, community, and teachings.

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

Microsoft Copilot uses generative AI to provide helpful assistance to all education roles.

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.
Decorative. Copilot interface showing a sample prompt and response for a sixth-grade science lesson plan.
Customize Copilot prompts to align with your grade level and local educational standards.

Copilot in education

Start the module

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.

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Craft the Cosmos: Inspire Tomorrow’s Space Explorers with Minecraft’s New NASA inspired Worlds https://education.minecraft.net/en-us/blog/james-webb-space-telescope Mon, 21 Oct 2024 16:00:00 +0000 We're over the moon to introduce two stellar additions to the Minecraft Education universe: the James Webb Space Telescope Challenge and Artemis: Moon Base One.

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Imagine a classroom where students can peer into the depths of the cosmos, build rockets, and establish the first human settlement on the Moon. Today, that classroom becomes a reality as we launch our latest space exploration experiences in Minecraft Education!

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

Decorative. A depiction of a moon base in Minecraft blocks.

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

Decorative. A depiction of a space command center in Minecraft blocks.

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!

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Teach cybersecurity with Microsoft and Minecraft Education http://approjects.co.za/?big=en-us/education/blog/2024/09/teach-cybersecurity-with-microsoft-and-minecraft-education/ Thu, 26 Sep 2024 16:00:00 +0000 For Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2024 this October, join educators who are using Microsoft resources to enhance their knowledge and teach cybersecurity to their students.

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Ever wonder how one click could protect or expose your school? Cybersecurity is the key, and it starts with each of us. For Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2024 this October, join educators from across the globe already using Microsoft resources to enhance their own knowledge and teach cybersecurity to their students.

Cybersecurity isn’t just about computer programs that prevent bad actors from accessing devices and systems, it’s also about empowering students, educators, and staff with the knowledge to stay informed and vigilant. Understanding how cyber criminals target schools, the tricks they use to sneak in, and what you can do to stop them in their tracks is key to keeping your community more secure.

This October, let’s “Secure Our World” together. From conversation tips to hands-on experiences like Minecraft Education worlds, you’ll find cybersecurity resources to enhance your classroom instruction.

Starting the cybersecurity conversation

Starting a conversation about cybersecurity with students is a simple and effective way to build cyber habits that keep everyone safer online. Cyber criminals often use clever social engineering tactics to trick someone into downloading malicious software or revealing their personal information. Students might be more at risk because they’re still learning to spot the difference between legitimate messages and potential threats.

Secure classroom technology

Discover cybersecurity solutions

Key points to discuss about phishing

Phishing is a common tactic used by cybercriminals to trick individuals into revealing personal information. Here are some essential points to cover with your students:

  • Avoid clicking unknown links: Hackers use phishing links to infiltrate your life. These links can appear in text messages, emails, QR codes, search engines, websites, social media posts, and direct messages.
  • Don’t access QR codes that seem too good to be true: Hackers have started using QR codes, a technique called Quishing, that direct unsuspecting users to a data harvesting or phishing page to collect personal data. Often they’re disguised as free giveaways or other compelling offers.
  • Be aware of social engineering: Hackers may impersonate family members, friends, teachers, or authority figures to gain your trust and extract information.
  • Recognize red flags: Phishing messages often contain misspellings, convey a sense of urgency, or offer fake rewards. Always hover over links to see where they lead before clicking.

Examples of when to be extra vigilant

It’s important to teach students to be extra cautious in certain scenarios. Here are some examples for both primary and secondary level students:

Primary school students

  • Researching information for a class report.
  • Looking for online math tutoring courses.
  • Searching for online videos and citing unverified information in schoolwork.
  • Messaging a teacher with a question.

Secondary school students

  • Differentiating between ads and organic posts on social media.
  • Receiving messages asking for passwords or threatening account lockouts.
  • Being direct messaged with unknown links and urged to click them.
  • Searching for jobs and applying to scam companies.
  • Researching and applying for college or trade school.
  • Receiving friend requests from duplicated profiles of known individuals.

Even a quick 10-minute discussion about cybersecurity can significantly boost your school’s overall safety. You might also want to share these tips with families so that they can reinforce these important lessons at home.

Hands-on, minds-on experiences with Minecraft Education

Learn how to integrate cybersecurity into your classroom with lesson collections from Minecraft Education, aligned to Cyber.org and CSTA standards.

Teaching cybersecurity concepts to students is easy with the Minecraft Education Cyber and Digital Citizenship collection of worlds and accompanying educator guides. The worlds include a progression of standards-aligned lessons that span elementary through post-secondary education. Just like other Minecraft Education experiences, students immerse themselves in a virtual world where they accomplish tasks, collaborate with others, and engage in activities that teach cyber safety and security—all while having a lot of fun!

Minecraft cyber education content has been downloaded more than 80 million times, and the CyberSafe series is also available for Bedrock players on the Minecraft Marketplace. The Cyber and Digital Citizenship collection is broken down into four age-appropriate bands:

  • CyberSafe (ages 7-11): Introduces students to basic cybersecurity concepts like online safety, healthy gaming interactions, and digital citizenship practices.
  • Cyber Fundamentals (ages 10-14): Expands students’ knowledge about cybersecurity by covering malware, personally identifiable information (PII) threat analysis, and data protection steps.
  • Cyber Expert (ages 13-18): Deepens understanding with a focus on social engineering, ransomware, and the importance of using backup software.
  • Cyber Defense (ages 14-18, 18 and older): Offers an advanced look at access control systems, cybersecurity careers, and ways to earn cybersecurity certificates.

In our largely online world, learners need to develop the skills they’ll need to navigate online spaces safely, and confidently. Educators also need the right tools to empower their students to be cyber safe. Minecraft Education’s cybersecurity curriculum helps learners of all ages become cyber heroes—protecting their data, using the Internet safely, and modeling digital citizenship. Stay tuned for new cyber content in Minecraft Education for Safer Internet Day—a global day of celebration in February each year.

If you’re new to Minecraft Education or need a refresher, sign up for a one-hour training as part of Minecraft Teacher Academy. Explore more professional learning, either on-demand or with a live cohort.

Inspiring cybersecurity champions

In addition to cybersecurity resources for the classroom, we also offer unique opportunities for students who are interested in pursuing careers in cybersecurity. With Microsoft, your students can:

  • Discover diverse mentorship opportunities: Explore the many learning and mentorship opportunities Microsoft and partner organizations provide so that all students can see themselves in cybersecurity.
  • Explore educational opportunities: Discover how Microsoft and the Last Mile Fund can help students earn a cybersecurity degree through scholarships for financial assistance and cybersecurity exam costs.
  • Get certified to fight cybercrime: Eligible students can get their Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals certification for free and earn college credit while doing so. Visit the Microsoft Learn Student Hub: Student certifications to learn about all the available certifications and how to enroll.

Build your knowledge with cybersecurity training for educators

A teacher sitting at a table and engaging with younger students who are working on laptops.
Taking time to review good digital hygiene practices can keep you safe from threats that target schools and busy educators.

Your own cybersecurity awareness and knowledge plays a critical role in your school’s overall security strategy. Cyber criminals know that educators are busy and may quickly respond to urgent messages or irresistible deals. By learning to distinguish between legitimate and suspicious messages or links, you are less likely to fall victim to social engineering tactics designed to steal private information.

To help strengthen your cybersecurity skills, Microsoft offers cybersecurity training modules for educators. “Build cybersecurity resilience in K-12 classrooms with Microsoft tools” is a comprehensive introduction designed for educators. This module covers essential concepts like how to anticipate cyber threats and secure your device, identity, and online activities. It includes:

  • Explanations of common threats like phishing, malware, and ransomware.
  • Tips for protecting your passwords and PII.
  • Strategies for maintaining privacy when working online.
  • Steps to take if you fall victim to a cyber-attack.
  • Ideas for teaching cybersecurity to students.
  • Information on joining cybersecurity groups that offer educator resources.

If you’re interested in using Minecraft Education to teach cybersecurity, be sure to check out “Minecraft Education lessons: Teach cybersecurity concepts with Minecraft Education.” This Microsoft Learn module covers:

  • Explanations of Minecraft worlds that provide cybersecurity instruction to K-12 students.
  • Overview of the differences between resources for upper elementary, middle school, high school, and post-secondary students.
  • Topics featured in the Minecraft cybersecurity worlds.
  • Types of activities that students complete while learning in Minecraft.

By joining Microsoft for Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2024, you’re not just protecting your school—you’re empowering the next generation of cybersecurity champions. Dive into the tools and resources to spark student interest and help them build their skills to thrive in the digital world. Together, let’s make your classroom a community of cyber-savvy learners. Stay safe and inspire those future cyber heroes!

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Power your school year with AI solutions for educators, leaders, and IT teams http://approjects.co.za/?big=en-us/education/blog/2024/09/power-your-school-year-with-ai-solutions-for-educators-leaders-and-it-teams/ Thu, 12 Sep 2024 16:00:00 +0000 With a variety of AI solutions for educators, leaders, and IT staff, we can help you create efficiencies that give you more time to focus on what matters most: students.

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Are you looking for new ways to reenergize this school year? Microsoft can help you to save time, personalize learning, manage day-to-day tasks and responsibilities, and ensure safe and more streamlined operations. With a variety of AI solutions for educators, leaders, and IT staff, we can help you create efficiencies that give you more time to focus on what matters most: students.

Decorative. A list of AI-powered experiences for education. The headings include Get started for free, Enhance experiences, and Build your own. Microsoft Copilot, Learning Accelerators, and Microsoft Teams for Education are listed under Get started for free.
By offering a range of AI solutions tailored for educators, leaders, and IT staff, Microsoft can help you boost efficiency and dedicate more time to students.

AI-powered tools to support educators

For educators seeking inspiring and innovative instructional strategies, Microsoft AI tools provide much needed assistance. Explore how these tools can help you save time, personalize learning, and renew your passion for teaching.

  • Microsoft Copilot can help you generate engaging content and individualized suggestions, freeing up more time for direct student interaction. For added data protection, sign in using your school account. Use Copilot to create personalized content and tailored feedback based on a student’s unique learning requirements. You can also get suggestions for activities, resources, and assessments aligned with learning objectives or a rubric that you can attach to get recommendations specific to your classroom needs. Copilot is available at no cost with your school account and is accessible in Windows, Edge, and on the web.
  • Copilot for Microsoft 365 gives you the power of Microsoft Copilot integrated seamlessly into the Microsoft 365 apps you use every day, like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Try generating creative writing prompts, translating languages, or summarizing complex topics in Word. It can also help streamline lesson planning by creating slides in PowerPoint on any topic or from any file, saving you valuable prep time.
  • Microsoft Teams for Education is packed with AI features to help you set up your classroom for success. Streamline grading with AI-powered rubrics that adapt to student responses, allowing you to spend less time grading and more time supporting your students’ learning. You can also create comprehension questions tailored to the individual needs of your students or generate modules and descriptions for your class based on the subject, grade level, and learning objectives.

Enhance learning with built-in AI tools

Download Microsoft Teams for Education
AI-powered features in Microsoft Teams for Education help educators customize materials with the click of a button.

Discover more ways to use AI to support your instructional practice this school year:

  • Empower your classroom with the knowledge to navigate AI responsibly by integrating the AI Classroom Toolkit into your lessons. It helps educators to teach students aged 13-15 how to use AI tools effectively through critical conversations and hands-on activities that build skills like fact-checking, data privacy, and mental wellbeing.
  • Build fundamental AI skills with your learners in the engaging world of Minecraft Education. AI Foundations is a new AI literacy program that includes bite-sized animated videos that explain AI to learners ages 8 and up, free teaching materials and parent guide, and an imaginative new Minecraft world called Fantastic Fairgrounds where players solve problems and explore careers with AI (available in both Minecraft Education and Bedrock Edition on the Marketplace).
  • Khanmigo for Teachers is an AI-powered tool that helps you generate fresh lesson ideas, personalizes student assignments, and explore resources so you can enhance your knowledge and stay current on content area topics. Created by Khan Academy and powered by Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service, Khanmigo for Teachers is available for free in English across more than 40 countries.
  • Learn more ways to use Copilot in your classroom from the Microsoft Education blog post “Meet your AI assistant for education: Microsoft Copilot” and download the Microsoft Copilot Quick Guide to get started today.
  • Explore the training course “Enhance teaching and learning with Microsoft Copilot” to learn how to use Copilot, design effective prompts, and analyze results.

Improved efficiencies for school leaders and staff

School leaders and staffs’ days are often filled with administrative tasks like responding to emails, attending meetings, and filling out paperwork. Microsoft’s AI-powered tools and resources offer support in managing day-to-day responsibilities, helping to enhance efficiency and streamline operations. Discover how these solutions can help you optimize workflows, improve communication, and focus more on fostering a positive school community.

  • The Microsoft Education AI Toolkit is designed to guide school leaders through the process of integrating AI into their school’s operations and building robust plans for your organization. This toolkit offers you insights in how others are leveraging AI-powered technology, access to a collection of the latest research on AI in schools, and supports the latest information on Microsoft’s AI technology designed for education.
  • Copilot for Microsoft 365 can transform how you handle time-consuming everyday tasks like emails and meetings. Use it to summarize long email threads and draft suggested replies in Microsoft Outlook. You can also use it to summarize key discussion points in Teams meetings, helping you keep track of action items and follow-ups. Try saving time by creating professional looking slides for staff meetings or board meetings.
  • Copilot in Power BI offers advanced data analysis capabilities, allowing you to generate insightful reports, visualizations, and narrative summaries. Just describe your desired outcomes, and Copilot will deliver, making it simpler to track student performance, present insights, or conduct research. This intuitive tool helps you communicate data insights clearly, supporting informed decision-making and enriching the learning experience. By consolidating data into a centralized environment and leveraging Power BI’s advanced analytics, educational institutions can gain near real-time insights into student performance and operational efficiency, saving hours of manual labor through automated data processes.
Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 is your AI assistant that frees up time for what matters most and transforms education experiences.

Explore more ways to use AI to enhance operational efficiencies. Check out the AI learning hub on Microsoft Learn to help you skill up and use the power of AI to transform your work.

Enhanced operations and security for school IT teams

School IT teams play an important role in ensuring the smooth operations of school technology systems. Microsoft’s AI tools provide robust solutions to support IT professionals in managing security, data, and overall IT infrastructure efficiently. Learn how these tools can help you enhance cybersecurity, streamline data management, and improve IT operations.

  • GitHub Copilot is an AI-powered assistant designed to help IT teams write code faster with fewer errors. It suggests code completions and generates entire code blocks, allowing you to automate repetitive tasks and focus on more complex issues. With GitHub Copilot, you can improve your development workflows, enforce code consistency, and reduce the time spent on debugging and code reviews.
  • Microsoft Defender helps IT teams amplify security through advanced, comprehensive endpoint protection with AI capabilities. Defender promotes school safety by filtering harmful content and protecting sensitive data through robust encryption. School IT teams can use Microsoft Defender to increase their efficiency while securing schools at scale. Likewise, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint P2 – Students extends this industry-transforming technology to student devices, neutralizing malware and phishing attempts to safeguard your school from cyberattacks. Should an attack occur, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint P2 – Students’ automated response swiftly isolates compromised devices, minimizing damage and maintaining control.
  • Copilot for Security further empowers IT teams with AI to help defend at machine speed. When integrated with Microsoft Sentinel, Copilot can summarize vast data signals into key insights, cutting through the noise to detect cyberthreats before they cause harm. Copilot can generate incident reports suitable for non-technical audiences, such as your school board, and identify user risks or generate access policies. This helps you respond to incidents in minutes instead of hours or days. Pricing for Copilot for Security and Sentinel is usage based and available as an add-on to Microsoft 365 academic licenses.
Copilot for Security is your everyday AI assistant for security and IT operations.

Learn more about how AI can support your IT teams:

Whether you’re an educator seeking innovative instructional strategies, a school leader aiming to improve efficiencies, or an IT professional focused on enhancing cybersecurity and data management, Microsoft’s AI-powered solutions are here to help. With tools like Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft Teams for Education, and Copilot for Security, your school can achieve these goals and more. Equip your school with the AI tools it needs to thrive this school year, and focus on what truly matters—supporting and engaging your students, family, and staff.

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Honor Hispanic Heritage Month 2024 with Minecraft Education and Microsoft Copilot http://approjects.co.za/?big=en-us/education/blog/2024/09/honor-hispanic-heritage-month-2024-with-minecraft-education-and-microsoft-copilot/ Tue, 10 Sep 2024 16:00:00 +0000 Engage students with interactive Hispanic Heritage Month lessons that highlight the rich heritage and impactful leadership of Hispanic figures.

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As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in the US from September 15 to October 15 each year, Microsoft is committed to honoring and amplifying the voices and contributions of the Hispanic and Latinx community. Through innovative tools like Minecraft Education and the power of AI with Microsoft Copilot, you have a unique opportunity to engage students with interactive lessons that highlight the rich heritage and impactful leadership of Hispanic figures.

By integrating these resources into your classroom, you can encourage meaningful exploration and representation of the diverse cultural landscape that exists within the Hispanic community.

Foster inclusivity and inspire learning with Minecraft Education

LatinExplorers 2 presents a way to build leadership and social-emotional skills, teaching students how leaders in the Hispanic community can inspire them to take actions in their own communities.

Millions of educators and students use Minecraft for game-based learning. Integrate the LatinExplorers worlds from Minecraft Education into your classroom instruction to give students the opportunity to see themselves and their culture represented in engaging, interactive ways.

Through these immersive experiences developed with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, students can delve deeper into topics that impact the Hispanic community. They will meet characters inspired by Latinx leaders who have lead change in climate science, community services, and the creative arts, inspiring a new generation to lead with purpose.

  • LatinExplorers offers a unique exploration of Hispanic heritage, showcasing how Latinx community members are leading the way, from supporting those in need to standing up for others.
  • LatinExplorers 2 is a continuation of Minecraft Education and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s commitment to inspire the next generation of leaders. It presents a new way to build leadership and social-emotional skills, teaching students how leaders in the Hispanic community can motivate them to take meaningful action in their own communities.

The game-based LatinExplorers worlds are available to all Minecraft Education users in 29 languages, providing an inclusive experience. You can use lesson materials and family resources to help students learn and explore through both guided practice and independent adventures.

Interested in incorporating Minecraft Education into your Hispanic Heritage Month lessons, but not sure how? Take the Minecraft Education: Teacher Academy learning path designed to boost your confidence using Minecraft as a powerful tool for teaching and learning.

Leverage Copilot to plan meaningful instruction

Microsoft Copilot is an AI tool that can create content like text, images, music, and code. But Copilot isn’t perfect, it can make mistakes—so always check responses and sources carefully.

Copilot offers powerful tools to help educators create dynamic and culturally rich lesson plans for Hispanic Heritage Month. By leveraging Copilot, you can easily access and create a variety of educational resources, including articles, multimedia content, and interactive activities. Copilot can suggest lesson structures, themes, and activities that align with educational standards, ensuring that learning experiences are both engaging and educational.

Tailor these prompts in Copilot to your classroom and learning objectives to help you get started:

Develop a lesson plan for fifth graders to celebrate the achievements of Hispanic figures in STEM. The lesson plan should include a project that allows students to explore one or more figures extensively and be aligned to fifth grade NGSS standards. Include suggestions for notable and lesser-known Hispanic figures, research activities, and relevant historical content that will foster a deeper understanding and appreciation.

Create an inquiry-based unit plan for high school students that delves into contemporary issues facing the Hispanic community in the United States. Include prompts to spark critical thinking discussions, unbiased primary and secondary sources, and a thorough rubric for students to use to guide their work.

Design an engaging lesson for third grade students around global Hispanic cultural traditions, specifying countries of origin and cultural significance. It should avoid stereotypes and encourage in-depth exploration in a respectful and meaningful way. Include age-appropriate reading materials, multimedia resources, and interactive activities that align to third grade TEKS ELA standards.

Generate an eighth-grade math unit plan that explores the contributions of Hispanic architects and engineers aligned to eighth grade Wisconsin Standards for Mathematics. Incorporate sample geometry and algebra problems inspired by their work, as well as activities that involve analyzing architectural designs or engineering solutions from Hispanic cultures without promoting stereotypes. These activities should be engaging and hands-on and provide real-world application.

Decorative. Copilot interface showing a sample prompt and response for an eighth-grade math unit plan for Hispanic Heritage Month that explores the contributions of Hispanic architects and engineers.
Customize Copilot prompts to align with your grade level and local educational standards.

By using these prompts or creating your own, you can harness the potential of Copilot to create meaningful, inclusive lessons that celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in a way that resonates with your students.

Amplify voices of the Hispanic community in your classroom

Copilot can also be a valuable tool to provide ideas and resources that help amplify diverse voices in your classroom. With your input, it can recommend guest speakers, virtual field trips to Hispanic cultural sites, and projects that connect students with Hispanic community leaders. You can also use Copilot to suggest literature, music, and art from Hispanic creators, enriching your classroom with authentic and diverse perspectives.

Customize these prompts in Copilot to explore ways to diversify your classroom experience:

Curate a list of age-appropriate literature and picture books by Hispanic authors that would engage second grade students. The books should introduce students to a variety of Hispanic cultures and perspectives without perpetuating stereotypes. Include the theme of each book and a short summary.

Create a month-long exploratory unit for a middle school art class that meets twice a week for 45 minutes. The theme of the unit is Hispanic artists and their works. The unit should include some research as well as a project that pays homage to a Hispanic artist of the students’ choosing. Provide a list of research sources about various Hispanic artists with ways to digitally view artwork and any relevant historical information.

Develop a list of songs, rhymes, or stories from Hispanic cultures and languages that would engage kindergarten students. Avoid content with stereotypes and bias that marginalize the Hispanic community. Include any relevant background information and suggested actions or movements to accompany them.

Generate a plan for a high school class where students research and present on the contributions of local Hispanic community leaders. Students should include details on how these leaders have impacted our community and how their stories can be integrated into current social issues or historical contexts. Provide ideas for how students can connect with these leaders or their work through virtual interviews or online resources.

Check out the “How to create a great Microsoft Copilot prompt” video to learn how to craft your own prompts. Then, use your prompts to support learning during Hispanic Heritage Month 2024 and throughout the school year.

Writing a great prompt unlocks the power of Copilot. Check out these tips to create better prompts to help you get the results you want from Copilot.

Empower your students this Hispanic Heritage Month with educational experiences from Microsoft Education. Celebrate the diverse cultures and perspectives of the Hispanic community with LatinExplorers from Minecraft Education and use Copilot to help craft engaging lessons. By incorporating these tools, you’ll not only enhance your students’ learning journey but also contribute to a more inclusive and culturally vibrant classroom environment.

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Smart ways students are using AI https://news.microsoft.com/source/features/ai/smart-ways-students-are-using-ai/ Thu, 29 Aug 2024 20:36:29 +0000 Generative AI is opening up all sorts of new avenues for learning, from personalized tutoring to study guides. But as with any technology, it’s helpful to know its strengths and limitations before diving in.

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Honors student James Evans often will ask Microsoft Copilot for “a summary that’s a little more understandable and readable” for confusing text—a complex paragraph about a tax issue, for example—as he studies for his business degree. 

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

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

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

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

Younger learners

Decorative. An elementary school-aged student standing in front of a school building.

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

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

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

What AI can help students do

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

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

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

James Evans

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

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

Tips for using AI in learning

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

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

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

High school years

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

Decorative. A teenage student looking at the camera and smiling.

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

What AI can help students do

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

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

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

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

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

Ava Gerlach

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

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

Tips for using AI in learning

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

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

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

Higher education

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

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

What AI can help students do

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

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

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

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

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

Matt Hall

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

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

Tips for using AI in learning

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Extend summer learning with a free game from Microsoft http://approjects.co.za/?big=en-us/education/blog/2024/07/extend-summer-learning-with-a-free-game-from-microsoft/ Tue, 23 Jul 2024 16:00:00 +0000 Our free summer learning game, Leaps and Logs, offers a variety of fun and engaging resources to keep students thinking, collaborating, and building skills until the first day of school!

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While many students in the northern hemisphere are enjoying their summer break, they don’t have to stop learning. Our free summer learning game, Leaps and Logs, offers a variety of fun and engaging resources to keep students thinking, collaborating, and building skills until the first day of school. Use Leaps and Logs as an exciting way to extend summer learning and help kids prepare to head back to the classroom!

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

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

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

Play digitally or on paper

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

Decorative. Demonstration of uploading a PDF game board to Microsoft Whiteboard and creating shapes to use as game pieces.
Upload the Leaps and Logs gameboard to Microsoft Whiteboard and use shapes or images as game pieces.

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

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

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

Join the fun and continue learning

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

Create a comic book in 5 easy steps

Decorative. Comic book panels featuring teenage male and female characters. The panels are framed by graphics, the Microsoft Copilot logo, and the Microsoft PowerPoint logo. The image says, “Channel your inner artist with Microsoft PowerPoint. Brainstorm comic book storylines with Microsoft Copilot, then use inking tools and images to bring them to life.”
Use the Manga comic maker template for PowerPoint to design a comic book.

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

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

Build your own instrument and hold a concert

Decorative. A child and teenager in front of an open laptop working on a craft or STEM project together. Both are males. The photo is framed by graphics and the Microsoft Copilot logo. The image says, “DIY an instrument with Microsoft Copilot. Ask Copilot for steps to build your favorite instrument using home materials.” There’s also a prompt in Copilot that says, “Create steps to build a clarinet from everyday materials that you’d find in a hardware store.”
Design and build your own instrument using common household items.

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

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

Create a plan to improve your community

Decorative. Video game scenes showing a student and way path signs in one frame, and an aerial view of a neighborhood in another frame. There are graphic designs around the frames and the iCivics logo. The image says, “Play the Neighborhood Good game in iCivics and create a plan of action to improve your community.”
Devise an action plan for community improvement by playing the Neighborhood Good game from iCivics.

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

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

Recreate a famous landmark in Minecraft Education

Decorative. Minecraft block style Egyptian pyramids, the Sphinx, the Eiffel Tower, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa framed by graphics. It also shows the Minecraft, Minecraft Education, and Microsoft Teams logos. The image says, “Research famous landmarks with Search Coach in Microsoft Teams for Education and build a digital version in Minecraft Education’s Replicating Landmarks world.
Recreate a famous landmark in the Replicating Landmarks world in Minecraft Education.

Teach and learn with Minecraft Education

Start your journey

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

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

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

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


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

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Seven standout moments from ISTELive 24 http://approjects.co.za/?big=en-us/education/blog/2024/06/seven-standout-moments-from-istelive-24/ Thu, 27 Jun 2024 16:00:00 +0000 Microsoft Education was at ISTELive 24 to share how AI can enhance learning experiences with exciting updates to our powerful tools, including Microsoft Copilot. We also announced the latest updates to the Microsoft Education AI Toolkit!

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Summer is here in the US and it’s time to relax, reconnect with colleagues, and to share experiences and be inspired by what’s new. That’s exactly what over 15,000 K-12 educators, librarians, school administrators, instructional coaches, and edtech leaders did in Denver, Colorado at ISTELive 24

More than two thousand presenters crowded the Colorado Convention Center, with hundreds of sessions, workshops, and keynotes covering a wide range of topics. The predominant theme was, perhaps unsurprisingly, AI and strategies for using it in the classroom. The real-world examples of AI and authentic stories of schools solving their own problems utilizing AI-enabled tools was inspiring, and I’d like to share a few things that I learned.

Microsoft is reimagining the future of education with AI. With tools like Copilot, educators can save time, amplify creativity, and support students in the ways that work best for them.

Exploring AI in education with Microsoft  

Our team from Microsoft Education was on hand to share how AI can enhance learning experiences with exciting updates to our powerful tools, including Microsoft Copilot which helps educators save time and inspire creativity. We were also proud to announce the latest updates to the Microsoft Education AI Toolkit!

Explore my seven standout moments from ISTELive24: 

1. AI-powered tools for schools

Microsoft booth 1300 was abuzz with presentations and conversations detailing over 20 Microsoft-related updates and resources and we were able to show them in action! They included enhancements to Copilot for Microsoft 365, a new Minecraft Education Lesson Crafter, Learning Accelerators and Microsoft Teams for Education news, free access to Figma through our new partnership, and more value coming to Microsoft Education.

Some of the new AI-powered features coming to Copilot for Microsoft 365 allow educators to:

  • Create assignments, lesson plans, and presentations using guided content generation.
  • Generate quizzes with answer keys and step-by-step solutions for students.
  • Receive suggested feedback on student work based on rubrics and instructions.
  • Utilize data from Microsoft Teams for Education for a more personalized experience.

Discover student-centered solutions

Explore Microsoft 365 Education

One of the exciting new pieces of value coming to Microsoft 365 A3 and A5 users is Clipchamp, a video editing tool that makes creation easy for learners and educators. Whether you’re recording experiments or producing awesome multimedia projects, Clipchamp is a great way to enhance student engagement!

2. Impact of Microsoft Education solutions

We were able to showcase the evidence and research that highlights the impact many of our tools are having on teachers and students. This included Microsoft Teams for Education being awarded the ISTE Seal for usability, pedagogy, and alignment to the ISTE Standards. De Wereldreiziger (The world Traveler), a primary school in Antwerp, Belgium saw its students make significant progress after starting to use Reading Progress. “Children are much more motivated to read, we can give much more feedback and the teacher can help 15-16 children at a time. For example, we see that children catch up on reading for six months or a year in 3 weeks, and some even for a year and a half,” says Jef Groffen, Principal of De Wereldreiziger. Congratulations to principal Groffen for recently winning the first EU AI in Education award.

Decorative. A colorful sign with the words ISTE Seal on it, with a conference floor full of attendees in the background.
Microsoft is awarded the ISTE seal for usability, pedagogy, and alignment and displays the seal at the Microsoft booth welcome desk at ISTELive 24.

3. Advancing AI in Teacher Preparation Programs with ISTE

I was thrilled to see the press release from ISTE on our new work together to support pre-service teachers through the Transforming Teacher Preparation initiative. Our goal is to help equip future teachers to effectively use new AI tools to ultimately enhance student and community impact. We’ll be working with ISTE to create a scalable AI module to reach thousands of pre-service teachers and hundreds of faculty members teaching in Education Preparation Programs. As a result, hundreds of thousands of elementary and secondary students around the world will benefit from the higher quality of instruction and learning experiences, as their teachers gain a deeper understanding of how to effectively use AI in their classrooms.

4. Khanmigo for Teachers, now free in the US

We recently announced an exciting new partnership with Khan Academy to bring Khanmigo for Teachers—an array of AI-powered teaching tools with no prompting required—to all US educators for free. It was great to see educators getting hands-on with these tools throughout the Khan Academy sessions at our booth, and to hear that availability is expanding soon. Learn more and get started with our Khanmigo for Teachers Quick Guide.

5. A toolkit for effective AI implementation and inspiration 

We were proud to announce many updates to our Microsoft Education AI Toolkit. These revisions and updates make the toolkit easier to use and even more indispensable. These updates include: 

  • New AI Navigators and customer stories. 
  • New implementation guides.
  • Additional research reports and information.
  • Improved accessibility throughout.
  • A new “Quick Wins” section to help education leaders get started and be successful with AI.

To me, the most exciting aspect of ISTELive 24 was hearing from school systems and their forward-looking educators who are harnessing the power and potential of Microsoft Education tools and putting them to practical use in real classrooms. At ISTELive 24, we highlighted some of these Microsoft AI Navigators including the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and Wichita Public Schools with panels on “Accelerate and personalize learning experiences at scale with AI” and “The road to implementation: Navigating AI.”

6. Esports, AI, and big updates from Minecraft Education

Minecraft Education made a big blocky splash at ISTELive 24. There were coding sessions, cyber safety workshops, AI demos and—for the very first time—a special “Battle in the Rocks” esports showcase on the ISTE main stage that featured four teams of students in a live Minecraft build battle. The team previewed Minecraft Lesson Crafter (an AI powered lesson generator), GameCode (a new Computer Science curriculum) and accredited AP Computer Science Principles course, and showcased AI literacy resources for teaching and learning. ICYMI (in case you missed it) Minecraft Education also just launched cloud storage in OneDrive, a new credentialing partnership with Prodigy Learning, and an esports playbook!

7. Entirely new and powerful AI experiences  

Last month, Microsoft also unveiled Copilot+ PCs: the fastest, most intelligent Windows PCs ever built. With access to the most advanced AI models, Copilot+ PCs enable educators to do things they simply can’t on any other PC. We had a lot of interesting conversations with district leaders about the potential of Copilots in PCs, and—as these tools become more readily available in the market—we look forward to seeing how schools leverage them to better support educators and leaders in their organizations.

ISTELive 24 is just further confirmation of the potential for AI to bring opportunity to life in education: especially with these edu-relevant advancements! Enjoy your summer and we will see you soon with more ways to help all students to reach their highest potential. Be sure to learn more about all of Microsoft’s exciting announcements for education, coming to classrooms soon!

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Enhancing Copilot for Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Education http://approjects.co.za/?big=en-us/education/blog/2024/06/enhancing-copilot-for-microsoft-365-and-microsoft-education/ Tue, 18 Jun 2024 13:00:00 +0000 Announcing new capabilities built to help educators and students save time, create impactful content, and deepen learning experiences within Copilot for Microsoft 365. We’re also thrilled to share over 20 additional updates and show them in action at ISTELive 24 in Denver, Colorado.

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Today, we’re announcing new capabilities built to help educators and students save time, create impactful content, and deepen learning experiences within Copilot for Microsoft 365. We’ll also share over a dozen updates including global expansion of Khanmigo for Teachers, Minecraft Education Lesson Crafter, Learning Accelerators and Teams for Education news, free access to Figma through our new partnership, and more value coming to Microsoft Education.

We’re thrilled to share over 20 updates and resources and show them in action next week at ISTELive 24 in Denver, Colorado, US. Join us at the show to learn more and hear about the latest from Microsoft Education at our booth and in dozens of sessions.

Enhancing Copilot for Microsoft 365 in education

We’ve loved seeing the early adoption and benefits from education institutions already using Microsoft Copilot, our no-cost AI-powered chat with data protection, and Copilot for Microsoft 365, an add-on for AI assistance integrated with the apps you use every day. We’re excited to now bring even more value to education in Copilot for Microsoft 365 with a new set of capabilities designed for relevant and powerful use by educators and students. These features will be included in Copilot for Microsoft 365 and will be in private previews over the coming months. Education institutions with any academic license are eligible to purchase Copilot for Microsoft 365, with no minimum, for their faculty, staff, and students aged 18 and older.

Educators will be able to use a guided content generation experience to easily kickstart materials like assignments, lesson plans, lecture slides, and more based on pedagogical requirements across Microsoft 365 apps such as Teams, Word, and PowerPoint. This includes the ability to align content to over five million education standards from 35 countries for both public and private institutions through EdGate.

Additionally, educators now have access to quiz generation through Copilot in Forms which allows them to generate quizzes and correct answers, support students with step-by-step solutions for each question, and easily assign quizzes to classes in Teams for Education. Educators can use Copilot to generate quizzes based on their own files or pasted text. Later this year, educators will be able to align the quizzes to education standards. 

Our recent research found that students are already using AI to quickly receive initial feedback on their work. We’re excited to help educators do the same in meaningful ways with suggested AI feedback. Educators review, edit, or discard suggested student feedback, which is based on individual student progress, rubrics selections, or assignment instructions. Educators can start by selecting initial rubric scores and then add the corresponding draft feedback directly into student Word documents in the form of comments or share overall feedback in a Teams Assignment.

AI has the potential to further support students by accelerating and deepening their learning process in engaging ways. Interactive practice experiences will be available for educators to create and share with their students, or for students to generate on their own to help them save time and increase subject matter retention on their specific learning content. They’ll be able to use Copilot functionality across Microsoft 365 apps like OneNote to easily build study materials like flashcards and guided chat experiences based on their learning content. The guided chat experience is designed to help learners walk through and engage with the content to ask questions, get immediate feedback, and test their knowledge. 

To better support educators and students with their daily tasks, we’ll be launching built-in learning and teaching extensions to help guide them through relevant activities and provide contextual, persona-based support in Copilot. They’ll see custom prompts to get started with tasks like building an interactive lecture or receiving initial feedback on their work.

For staff, educators, and students to be able to maximize the value of Copilot for Microsoft 365, it’s essential to have access to relevant data and files. We’re introducing education data integration to generate more helpful responses, insights, and content based on personal and organizational information. This will include data from Teams for Education such as Classwork, Assignments, Grades, class rosters, and more. We’ll also interoperate data from Learning Management Systems (LMS) in the future for simpler, connected, experiences across platforms including many of these new AI-powered capabilities.

Read more about guided content generation, standards-alignment, suggested AI feedback, interactive practice experiences, learning and teaching extensions, and education data integration in the June Edition of What’s New in Microsoft EDU.

Getting started on your AI journey for free

To help get started on your AI journey, we’re excited to continue offering free tools and resources. Read about products available at no cost for educators and students like Copilot, GitHub Copilot, and more in our recent blog on our free AI offers.

Last month we announced that Khanmigo for Teachers is free for all US educators thanks to our new partnership with Khan Academy. We’ve heard from educators around the world who look forward to using Khanmigo for Teachers, and we’re excited to share that we’ll be expanding free availability globally in the coming weeks. Educators can sign up to be notified regarding availability in their country. Khanmigo for Teachers is an AI-powered teaching assistant that helps streamline class prep with no prompting required. Learn more from our Khanmigo for Teachers Quick Guide.

Minecraft Education will be previewing its new Lesson Crafter web tool at ISTE, which will be available for free in the coming months. Lesson Crafter allows educators to generate custom easy-to-teach lesson plans for Minecraft Education tailored to the needs of their learners on any topic and age range. Lesson Crafter will make it easier to get started teaching with Minecraft and give more teachers the opportunity to bring fun, immersive game-based learning into their classrooms.

In addition to these free tools, we believe in the importance of building a foundation of AI literacy for everyone. Get started today with the following resources:

Empowering educators and learners with Learning Accelerators, Teams for Education, and Learning Management Systems

Our newest Learning Accelerator, Speaker Progress, will be generally available by July! Speaker Progress helps students build confidence in their presentation skills with real-time feedback. Educators can create presentation assignments where students will receive real-time coaching on their public speaking skills like their pace, pitch, filler words, and more. Students and educators can view a rehearsal report of top strengths and top opportunities with targeted feedback to help students improve.

Math Progress, coming to preview in July, enhances numeracy gains by streamlining the creation, review, and analysis of math practice for educators and providing feedback to students on the problems they did not solve correctly. Both Speaker Progress and Math Progress provide actionable insights to help educators collect and visualize presentation and numeracy data to track progress and improve student outcomes. 

A powerful communication app with built-in AI tools

Get started with Microsoft Teams for Education

To ensure convenient access to all education institutions, we’re bringing the Learning Accelerators and Teams Assignments to your LMS through a new LTI (Learning Tools Interoperability) private preview. Educators will be able to use all the capabilities of Teams Assignments within their LMS and sync content like files and grades. Learn more from our blog about existing LMS integrations.

Partnering with Figma to help prepare students for the future

Now more than ever, skills like collaboration, creativity, and strategic planning are critical for students in an ever-changing world. That’s just one of the reasons we’re excited to announce a new partnership with Figma to provide free access to Figma and FigJam enterprise tiers for all Microsoft K-12 educators and students. Figma and FigJam are design and collaboration software used by professional designers, engineers, and makers of all kinds. They can support students in building together—in a fun, interactive space that simultaneously prepares them for future career opportunities. Figma’s education offering through Microsoft 365 schools will be available in the US, UK, and Japan today, with plans for future international expansions. Admins and school leaders can apply here to get started.

We’re thrilled to partner with Microsoft to bring Figma into more classrooms. Currently, Figma is available in over 5,000 K-12 schools through our free education plan, and teaming up with Microsoft will help even more students across the world access Figma. Today’s students are tomorrow’s product builders, designers, developers and problem solvers—and we want to equip them with the best tools to bring their ideas from imagination to reality.

Yuhki Yamashita, Chief Product Officer, Figma

Bringing more value to Microsoft Education

  • Clipchamp is coming to Microsoft 365 A3 and A5 licenses at no additional cost, starting next month. In today’s digital world, communication skills are increasingly important. Clipchamp equips educators and students with the ability to convey ideas visually, fostering essential skills for success—from the classroom to future careers. Integrated with Microsoft 365, Clipchamp makes video editing easily accessible. To learn more, visit the Clipchamp webpage and Clipchamp Support
  • Preview exciting updates from Minecraft Education coming for Back to School including a new Computer Science curriculum and AP CS Principles course launching at CSTA next month, esports program playbook, credentialing with Prodigy Learning, and new product updates including cloud storage on OneDrive and an AI-powered Lesson Crafter. Visit the Minecraft Education blog for details, and sign up for free summer training to learn how to bring Minecraft into your classroom or district.
  • Visual Studio Code for Education, an online computer science education platform, is now available for free to empower the next generation of developers. It helps students learn to code at their own pace, develop in-demand skills with the same platform used by professionals, and bring their ideas to life. Visit the Visual Studio Code for Education webpage for more information.
  • Microsoft Defender for Endpoint – Student (MDE P2 – Students) is an affordably priced version of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint P2, tailored specifically for student devices that are covered by an A5 license. It encompasses the comprehensive range of features that Microsoft Defender for Endpoint offers. With a focus on the security of students, Microsoft ensures that student devices receive the same robust protection as faculty devices do with MDE P2. This initiative is designed to protect student devices against vulnerabilities, proactively neutralize threats, halt attacks, facilitate swift investigation and remediation, and provide access to threat intelligence. Read more in our blog on ensuring secure learning experiences with MDE P2 – Students.

In such an exciting time for technology innovation, we look forward to continuing to share our progress, new capabilities, and resources to help you make the most of them. Check out the Microsoft Education Blog for the latest news and come join us next week at ISTELive 24 to explore AI in education!

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Get started with free AI tools from Microsoft Education http://approjects.co.za/?big=en-us/education/blog/2024/06/get-started-with-free-ai-tools-from-microsoft-education/ Mon, 17 Jun 2024 16:00:00 +0000 Wondering where to get started with AI tools in education? We’ve got you covered! Check out our list of free AI tools to kickstart your AI journey.

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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.

Microsoft Copilot uses generative AI to serve as a helpful assistant to educators in the classroom.

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.

3. Learning Accelerators

Build supportive classrooms

Explore Microsoft 365 Education

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.
Reading Coach provides personalized, engaging, consistent, and independent reading fluency practice.

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.
New AI-powered features in Microsoft Teams for Education help educators customize materials with the click of a button.

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!
Watch how middle school teacher Mike Cline incorporates AI learning into his geography class with Minecraft Education.

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.

Khanmigo for Teachers, a pilot AI-powered teaching assistant, is free for educators in more than 40 countries in English due to Microsoft’s new partnership Khan Academy.

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.

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