Top eight Microsoft resources for the education sector
As a leader within the education technology area, Microsoft offer several resources for the education sector, all designed to improve teaching and learning experiences. There are many on offer, so our Microsoft Business Manager for Education, Cheryl Lapham, has pulled a few of her favourites together, helping you take advantage of the resources available. With a mixture of tools for students and tools for teachers, there’s a resource for everyone.
One: digital literacy
Digital literacy is the ability to navigate our digital world using reading, writing, technical skills, and critical thinking. It’s using technology, like a smartphone, PC, e-reader, and more, to find, evaluate, and communicate information.
Microsoft’s digital literacy classes teach students and teachers the fundamentals of digital literacy, giving them the skills they need to collaborate with others and discover, use, and create information.
Discover Microsoft’s digital literacy courses
Two: accessibility
Within the education sector, it’s vital to prioritise accessibility. Supporting students, teachers, and parents by catering to all needs is essential for reinforcing positive learning experiences.
There are many ways to support your colleagues, classmates, friends, and family members with disabilities. Formerly called the ‘Supplier toolkit,’ Microsoft have expanded their accessibility resources so that everyone has the tools to create more inclusive content and experiences.
Check out Microsoft’s accessibility resources
Three: Microsoft learn
Microsoft learn is an all-in-one hub for building skills to open doors. Building on existing talent, Microsoft Learn gives students the tools they need to thrive and succeed.
Within Microsoft Learn, both students and teachers can gain accreditations designed to kickstart careers and connect with like-minded individuals.
Discover thousands of fun, authentic, and informative videos by Microsoft and community specialists
Four: Digital Skills Hub
The Digital Skills Hub is a programme built to encourage diverse digital talent across the UK. By giving every student access to the tools they need to develop a technical career, the tech industry will grow and evolve into a passionate and dedicated industry.
The Digital Skills Hub has a keen focus on AI, teaching students vital guidance around the use of AI and how to use it to their advantage.
Discover more about the Digital Skills Hub
Five: Microsoft Education Insights
Microsoft Education Insights is an analytics solution that automatically connects with key apps such as Learning Accelerators and the tools in Teams to provide a more holistic view of student wellbeing.
By prioritising the wellbeing of students, educators can easily streamline their decision-making process, analyse academic, social, emotional, and engagement trends, and spot students who may be struggling academically or facing social challenges.
Discover more about Education Insights
Six: Learning Accelerators
Learning Accelerators are tools that integrate within Microsoft 365 apps, giving students a helping hand. Designed to help educators unlock the full potential of every student with tools that support foundational and future-ready skills, Learning Accelerators allow educators to give individual students more opportunities to learn, practice, and receive targeted coaching instantly in an inclusive environment to support ongoing improvement.
Discover more about Learning Accelerators
Seven: Azure for students
Azure for Students is a programme offered by Microsoft Azure to provide students at Higher Education Institutions with access to various Azure cloud services and resources. Joining Azure for Students will grant you $100 in Azure credits with no credit card required. This credit will be valid for one year and you can renew each year you’re an active student to get an additional $100. You also receive access to a set of free services you can deploy once you join. Select versions of Azure Virtual Machines, Azure SQL Databases, Azure Blob Storage and more are all free with your subscription.
Find out more about Azure for students
Eight: Microsoft Education Insights Premium
Education Insights Premium is designed to support education leaders in accessing student activity data from across your organisation right in Teams for Education.
By accessing big picture views of student progress, attendance, and wellbeing, leaders can make decisions that are right for both the student and the organisation as a whole.
Find additional Microsoft Education trainings
Want to find more Microsoft resources for education? Check out the educator centre.
