{"id":1807,"date":"2022-07-28T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-28T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/education\/blog\/2022\/07\/28\/elevating-equity-through-literacy\/"},"modified":"2024-05-31T19:01:16","modified_gmt":"2024-06-01T02:01:16","slug":"elevating-equity-through-literacy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/education\/blog\/2022\/07\/elevating-equity-through-literacy\/","title":{"rendered":"Elevating equity through literacy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Recently I had the opportunity to join many of my colleagues at ISTE, one of the world\u2019s most influential education events. The upbeat energy of the host city, New Orleans, spread through the convention center the way music permeates the local streets, with the city\u2019s vibrant spirit seeming to rub off on the people who came to \u201cThe Big Easy\u201d from other parts of the U.S. and around the world. It was refreshing to feel the excitement while reconnecting with colleagues and meeting face-to-face with educators and edtech partners again. The event exuded the feeling that \u201cif we work together, we can do anything!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Microsoft presented more than 65 sessions, trainings, interactive demonstrations, and educator-led presentations\u2014all focused on the ways that Microsoft devices and software support schools in enabling equity and driving literacy. Many of the topics in the Microsoft Learn Educator Theater were live adaptations of some of the material available in the Microsoft Learn Educator Center<\/a>, and ISTE attendees were especially excited to see resources like Reading Coach, Reading Progress, Minecraft, and Flip in action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One popular session led by resident expert Mike Tholfsen, called \u201cImprove reading fluency: Reading Progress and Reading Coach in Microsoft Teams<\/a>,\u201d focused on how these built-in tools can help all students practice and build confidence with reading and provide additional reading support for those who need it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Education Insights, another key feature built into Teams, was also highlighted in the session: \u201cPowerful insights made simple with Education Insights for Microsoft Teams.<\/a>\u201d This presentation explored how Education Insights empowers educators with actionable data and analytics<\/a> about student engagement, well-being, performance, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minecraft made a huge splash with \u201cLeague of Literacy: Challenge students and inspire learning with Minecraft Education.<\/a>\u201d Presenters Laylah Bulman and Bryan Bonham shared how the new build challenge game, based on the first official Minecraft novel \u201cMinecraft: The Island,\u201d supports literacy by encouraging exploration. The game and supporting curriculum are offered in partnership with Random House and supported by the National Literacy Trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFoster inclusive classrooms with Microsoft 365<\/a>,\u201d by presenter Rachel Berger explored specific ways to increase equity with an in-depth discussion of how Microsoft 365 tools can expand inclusivity and support special education needs in reading, writing, math & communication.  A session called \u201cEnable equitable learning: New Microsoft education solutions<\/a>\u201d built on this topic by sharing how new windows solutions<\/a> including Windows SE broaden access to tech, maximize budget, and enable successful learning from anywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we discuss \u201cenabling equity,\u201d that doesn\u2019t just mean putting a computer in every student\u2019s hand. Rather, it\u2019s a broader opportunity to enable all students to have equitable access to great learning experiences. Part of closing the equity gap is ensuring that learning environments are inclusive by design, providing resources that make it possible for all learners to benefit from high-quality learning solutions and technologies regardless of their ability, income, language, location, or mobility. To help schools achieve these goals, technology needs to accelerate learning in a way that\u2019s safe and secure, fosters well-being, and is inclusively designed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Microsoft booth in action
<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The four pillars of equity served as the model for how we shared Microsoft\u2019s message in our booth. There were distinct areas where visitors could experience software and devices that demonstrated the concepts of safety and security; accelerating learning; fostering well-being, and inclusive design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For example, in the \u201cFoster Well-Being\u201d section, attendees were able to explore how the \u201cFeelings Monsters\u201d and Education Insights in Teams can help educators gauge the emotional well-being of students. Then, in the \u201cAccelerate Learning\u201d section, they could see how data from tools like Insights can help educators make the most of their resources and better understand where teachers and students need support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the \u201cInclusively Designed\u201d area, there were demonstrations of how Microsoft\u2019s solutions can help personalize learning so every student can learn in ways that work for them. The exhibits in \u201cSafe and Secure IT\u201d demonstrated the ease with which schools can set up, manage, and protect devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout those sections, demonstrations also highlighted the importance of fostering literacy. New and updated non-stigmatizing tools like Reading Progress, Reading Coach, and Immersive Reader made a huge impact on the thousands of teachers and educators who visited, and many people shared their excitement about embedding these tools more deeply in their classrooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attending booth exhibits and learning sessions weren\u2019t the only things to do in the convention hall. I was especially honored to be part of Dell\u2019s \u201cDefining What’s Possible for Reinvented Learning<\/a>\u201c think tank with a panel of knowledgeable educators and edtech leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dell Think Tank Panel: \u201dDefining what\u2019s possible for reinvented learning\u201d. Picture by Dell Technologies<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the panel, we started with the broad question: \u201cWhat is the purpose of school, and what are we trying to achieve?\u201d The group immediately focused on the importance of increasing equity. We agreed that one of the primary functions of schools is to fulfill the promise to help develop all students to be productive citizens and to find ways to achieve their goals. This was an inspiring discussion, and I learned a great deal from my fellow panelists as they shared their hopes for their schools and students, and debated which steps to take to deliver on the vision of more equitable, inclusive education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

FlipFest recap video<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

FlipFest was another incredible experience, with lots of fun, inspiring stories from the community. There, Microsoft launched the big announcement that Flipgrid is now Microsoft Flip. It was definitely one of the highlights of the week, so make sure to watch the recap video<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After five days of listening, learning, meeting, connecting, and smiling a lot, I feel energized and encouraged. Attending ISTE 2022 reminded me that teachers, school leaders, and edtech partners all come from different perspectives and have different areas of expertise, yet share a common goal: to help every student catch up, keep up, explore their world, and contribute to a bright future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay up to date with the latest in educator training and professional development, visit the Microsoft Learn Educator Center<\/a>, where you\u2019ll find product information, ideas to make classrooms more inclusive, tips for using Minecraft to engage students, and much, much more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Recently I had the opportunity to join many of my colleagues at ISTE, one of the world\u2019s most influential education events. The upbeat energy of the host city, New Orleans, spread through the convention center the way music permeates the local streets, with the city\u2019s vibrant spirit seeming to rub off on the people who came to \u201cThe Big Easy\u201d from other parts of the U.S. and around the world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":94,"featured_media":312,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"_classifai_error":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[21,23,22],"tags":[],"audience":[249,150],"content-type":[154,156],"product":[159],"topic":[165,184],"coauthors":[138],"class_list":["post-1807","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-educators","category-events-and-announcements","category-school-leaders","audience-education-decision-makers","audience-educators","content-type-events","content-type-professional-development","product-microsoft-teams","topic-accessibility","topic-career-readiness-skills"],"yoast_head":"\nElevating equity through literacy | Microsoft Education Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn more about Microsoft Education devices and software from ISTE 2022 that support schools enabling 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