Microsoft AI for educators
Abhishek Shrivastava
FinOps Cloud Specialist at TCS, 4*GCP, 1*Azure ,1*AWS, GEN AI Badge, MCT-Microsoft Certified Trainer , MST, AWS Community Builders, MIE Expert , Oracle AI Cloud associate
This learning path explores the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. It covers a brief history of AI, large language models (LLMs), generative AI, prompt engineering, responsible use of AI, and uses in a class setting. Dive into the art of a prompt to equip learners to get the best results from Microsoft Copilot and Image Creator from Designer. Explore the many ways to enhance teaching and learning with AI-powered tools in Microsoft Edge browser, Word, PowerPoint, Minecraft, and more.
Introduction
This module is designed to help educators understand how to use Microsoft Copilot in teaching and learning. Explore several styles and features of Copilot and learn to design prompts and images and critically evaluate chat responses.
Learning objectives
Upon completion of this module, you'll be able to:
Resources
Artificial intelligence (AI) is already a part of our lives in many ways. We often rely on it for many things, including:
AI models are advancing rapidly and dramatically, impacting many industries including education. The Empower educators to explore the potential of artificial intelligence Learn module notes "AI offers immense potential to enhance education by personalizing learning experiences, automating tasks, and providing valuable insights to educators."
"AI can empower educators to create engaging, innovative, and inclusive learning environments for learners while helping them prepare for the future."1 For educators who haven't already completed the module, Empower educators to explore the potential of artificial intelligence module is the introductory to AI module. Start with Empower educators to explore the potential of artificial intelligence to learn about the potential of AI in education and how it can help you reclaim time to focus on what matters most.
Microsoft Copilot (formerly Bing Chat and Bing Chat Enterprise) uses powerful and advanced AI models to make information seeking a different experience.
Microsoft Copilot is like having a teaching assistant at your side whenever you search the web. Microsoft has created a proprietary way of working with OpenAI that allows it to best leverage the power of new Large Language Models (LLMs). The collection of capabilities and techniques, called the Prometheus model, produces more relevant, timely, and targeted results with improved safety. With this set of AI-powered features, educators can ask complex questions, receive detailed replies, and have a conversation.
Copilot can:
In the chat experience, educators can ask follow-up questions. Examples for getting different and even more detailed answers include:
Be creative. When educators need inspiration, Copilot can help write poems, stories, or even create a brand-new image.
Important
AI can make mistakes. Use judgment. Double-check facts and linked sources before making decisions or taking action based on Copilot's responses. Use the feedback options in Copilot to rate responses.
Copilot can help educators:
Specifically, educators can use Copilot to:
Copilot honors your choices, such as how you can access and control your information. Learn more about Copilot’s privacy protections in the FAQ section of the Copilot website. In school systems that have access to and have turned on Copilot with commercial data protection, educators and faculty members have additional protection for sensitive school data. Learn more about Copilot with commercial data protection from the FAQ section of the Copilot with data protection website.
With Copilot with data protection, chat data isn't saved and it isn't used to train the underlying AI models. Microsoft can't view the chat data either. Searches aren't linked to individuals, and the school's identity is removed before the search is sent. Copilot with data protection is available to customers who are licensed for Microsoft 365 A3 or A5. To learn more about Copilot with data protection, refer to Announcing Bing Chat Enterprise for faculty and Search Progress.
Sources:
Use styles and features
Educators can access the full experience of Microsoft Copilot or Copilot with data protection in several ways:
Sign in with a free Microsoft account to get the full Copilot experience. If you don't sign in, conversations are limited and don't include access to all features.
Copilot has three conversation styles to choose from when starting a chat. Each style adjusts the behavior and style of Copilot's responses:
To begin, select a conversation style and enter a question to start the conversation.
Practice with Microsoft Copilot
Tip
Work with the following sample prompts to experience Copilot or write unique prompts with similar parameters to fit your needs. Note: If you use the sample prompt, the responses you receive may differ from the responses in the video.
Important
We recommend using the Microsoft Edge browser during your practice so you can experience all features in this module.
Explore conversation styles
For this activity, use the sample with each conversational style. Compare the results for each mode.
You are an experienced biology teacher. Create learning objectives for a unit about the cellular respiration process for a secondary biology class.
Explore Microsoft Copilot features
For this activity, experiment with the various features in Copilot.
Copilot can be used for more than research. Copilot in Edge and allows educators to use chat and Compose features there.
Practice with samples
Tip
Work through the following sample prompts to experience Copilot in Edge or use other websites or PDFs with similar parameters to fit your needs. If you experience any issues with this feature, you may need to change your settings. Select the gear icon at the bottom right, select Copilot and turn on the setting to Allow Microsoft to access page content. Note: If you use the provided samples, the responses you receive may differ from the responses in the video.
Chat with Copilot in Edge
Compose with Copilot in Edge
Insights with Copilot in Edge
Design prompts for learning
Educators can take full advantage of the power of Microsoft Copilot by crafting good prompts. When writing prompts, consider the following tips.
Tip
Consider using a polite tone when interacting with AI. The generative responses mirror professionalism, clarity, detail, and even etiquette. Start prompts with "please" to help teach AI to generate respectful, collaborative outputs.
Create an assignment and rubric
AI has the potential to save educators time on many tasks. One example is creating an assignment description and scoring rubric. Using an assistant to kickstart a rubric for an assignment is a great way to develop a sample that the educator can modify to best fit the learners' task.
Sample prompt #1
First, give clear objectives. Include the role AI should play in delivering the response, and be specific about the topic.
Sample prompt
Respond as a secondary history teacher. The learners will write an essay on "The Impact of World War II on Modern Society." Write the assignment details for the learners.
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Sample response
Sample prompt #2
Next, the educator might want to create a rubric for this assignment. They can continue the conversation with Copilot by adding information and their own expertise. Beginning the prompt with a verb like "Create a rubric…" guides Copilot to develop a new rubric in the response.
Add the following text in the same chat:
Create a rubric for this project. The learners will be exploring political, social, and economic changes post-war.
Sample response
Sample prompt #3
In the next iteration, the educator might include categories for the rubric to structure the response. They might specifically ask for a downloadable format like a table.
Add the following text in the same chat:
Create a rubric for this project in a table so I can download it. Organize the rubric with columns for the category, description, and point value. Include categories for thesis clarity, use of historical evidence, essay organization, grammar and mechanics, and critical thinking. The rubric should total 100 points and place an emphasis in the critical thinking component.
Sample response
Generated content may be similar to the following sample:
Tip
Work through the provided sample prompts to experience Copilot, or write unique prompts with similar parameters to fit your needs. Access a document with these and other sample prompts.
Copilot can do more
Copilot can also help with coding and related topics. It can:
On certain prompts, it will output code for the scenario. Use the tool carefully and appropriately for your experience. Use discretion and carefully review and test the code for issues, such as errors, bugs, and vulnerabilities before using it. Also review the code to ensure there are no applicable open-source licenses. If there are, comply with any to the extent applicable and relevant to the situation.
Another application of Copilot in teaching and learning is translation. Add content into the prompt space, then tell Copilot which language to translate into. This process uses online translation engines to produce a new version of the text.
These examples are just the beginning of what is possible with Copilot. Create your own prompts that best support teaching tasks.
Work with images
Based on Bing data, images are one of the most searched categories—second only to general web searches. Historically, search was limited to images that already existed on the web. Image Creator from Designer and Visual Search enable educators to make visual tools a part of the way they search and build understanding of new concepts.
There are two ways to work with images in Copilot. The first way is to ask Copilot to create a new image. The second way is to use Visual Search, which includes using an image in the prompt.
Image Creator from Designer is powered by an advanced version of the DALL-E model from our partners at OpenAI. It allows you to create an image simply by using words to describe the desired picture in over 100 languages.
Using creative style in chat, ask Copilot to create a brand-new image with a prompt that begins with “create an image of” or “draw an image of.” Then, finish the prompt with an exact description. Image Creator works best with lots of description, so add details like adjectives, locations, or even artistic styles to help guide the output. Also consider using point of view and lighting direction.
Educators can use Image Creator to make images for class presentations, newsletters, quizzes, avatars, assignments, and more.
Tip
Try one of the following sample prompts in Copilot or write one based on your needs or interests. Visit copilot.microsoft.com to begin, then add your prompt to a new topic.
Create an image of a blue panda bear wearing sunglasses on the beach in digital art format
Draw a 3D typography letter B on a green background with chrome shiny texture in a minimalist style.
Create a cartoon image of an apartment decorated in primary colors with a television, a couch, and a plant in one corner.
Draw an image of a sunset over the Roman coliseum in a realistic style to use for my course syllabus header.
Image Creator generates a set of images for each prompt. Educators can use these images in class newsletters, presentations, lessons, and more. Image Creator also adds support for the latest DALL.E 3 model from OpenAI, which delivers a huge leap forward with more beautiful creations and better renderings.
Model digital citizenship for learners by acknowledging the images were created with AI and include the prompt as a teachable moment. Microsoft doesn't claim ownership of the images created by Image Creator. As a continuation of the responsible approach to generative AI, Microsoft is adding Content Credentials, using cryptographic methods, to add an invisible digital watermark to all AI-generated images – including the time and date it was originally created.
Each image created is original, so images created by the sample prompts might be different with each chat. Regenerate another set of images if the first set isn’t ideal for your purpose.
Following are sample images generated by the previous prompts.
Image Creator is available within Copilot.
Use Visual Search
Visual Search in Copilot allows educators to input images and ask questions about them. Ask questions about images that are difficult to describe. For example: learn about a landmark you’ve never seen, identify a plant or animal you don’t recognize, and more.
To use Visual Search in Copilot:
Copilot will interpret the image, search for information about the image, and even provide additional details like a map or link to learn more.
Sample prompt
Following is a sample response for the first prompt.
Additional protections for images
Microsoft’s development of AI is guided by its Responsible AI principles and the Responsible AI Standard to help deploy AI systems responsibly. To curb the potential misuse of Image Creator, Microsoft works together with DALL-E’s developer OpenAI to deliver an experience that encourages responsible use of Image Creator with additional protections. For example, there are controls in place that aim to limit the generation of harmful or unsafe images. When Copilot detects a potentially harmful image that could be generated by a prompt, it blocks the prompt and warns the user. Microsoft also makes it clear that Image Creator’s images are generated by AI. A modified Bing icon is included in the lower-left corner of each image to help indicate that the image was created using Image Creator.
When you upload an image, Copilot employs facial blurring and other safety mechanisms before sending the image to the AI model for processing. Facial blurring is used to protect the privacy of people in the image. The face blurring technology relies on context clues to determine where to blur and will attempt to blur all faces.
Evaluate responses
When educators write prompts for information, generative AI models don't "know" an answer. Instead, they predict the most likely response based on their training data. Regardless of the quality of your prompt, the model might generate an incorrect or fabricated response.
Misinformation can be spread through these fabrications. Copilot aims to base all its responses on reliable sources—but AI can make mistakes, and third-party content on the internet may not always be accurate or reliable. Copilot may sometimes misrepresent the information it finds, and you may see responses that sound convincing but are incomplete, inaccurate, or inappropriate.
While Copilot works to avoid sharing unexpected offensive content in search results and has taken steps to prevent its chat features from engaging on potentially harmful topics, educators may still see unexpected results. Provide feedback or report concerns directly to Microsoft by using the feedback features underneath the response.
When Copilot provides a response to a prompt, it also provides two key pieces of information: the search terms used to generate the response and the links to content sources. Educators can use these details to inform their evaluation of the response. If the prompt terms don't represent the intended question, start a new prompt with different wording. If the source links aren't reliable, ask Copilot to refine the response using specific, more reliable websites that you provide.
Standard 2.3.b in the ISTE Standards for Educators states an educator will establish a learning culture that promotes curiosity and critical examination of online resources and fosters digital literacy and media fluency. Educators who critically evaluate Copilot results through analysis and lateral reading model digital citizenship skills for their learners. Learn more about preparing today's learners for online success in the Digital Citizenship module.
Practice checking sources
Educators can work with learners to practice these skills using Search Coach and Search Progress, free tools in Microsoft Teams for Education. Search Coach provides learners context and guidance to ask effective questions and discover reliable sources. Many lesson plans are available to introduce concepts learners can apply in search engines like Bing. Educators can use Search Progress to track learner progress in understanding how to evaluate sources for validity, reliability, accuracy, relevance, and bias.
Tips for evaluating accuracy and generating reliable content with Copilot
Following are some suggestions for proactive steps in evaluating accuracy and generating reliable content:
Summary
This module aimed to help educators become aware of the basics of Microsoft Copilot. It explored how to use Copilot’s basic functionalities to design prompts that support teaching and learning. It also covered how to evaluate responses produced by Copilot for overall quality and credibility.
For more training options in your local language, check Global Training Partners in your region.
Resources for further learning
Bing and Microsoft Edge
AI resources