Microsoft shares 20 ways it helped education in 2020
2020 was a unique year for education, and Microsoft grew to meet the challenge.
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What you need to know
2020 has been a unique year when it comes to education. The global pandemic forced teachers, students, and parents to adapt to unique circumstances, including remote learning, hybrid learning, and having to adapt quickly to new technology. Microsoft is involved in education in quite a few ways and also had to adapt to the unusual challenges of 2020. A recentblog postfrom the Microsoft Education Team highlights 20 ways that Microsoft helped education in 2020.
The first key area of improvement is that of virtual classrooms. Microsoft rolled out several improvements to Microsoft Teams, including expanding Gallery View to include up to49 people at once, rolling out Together Mode, and adding support for breakout rooms. The new Spotlight feature also helps teachers control which person is focused on as a presenter within classes. All of these features help educators work with students in virtual classrooms and meet the demands of hybrid learning.
With more digital content for teachers to keep track of than ever, Microsoft released several new features to help educators.Education Insightshelp teachers see student activity at a glance,Microsoft Listshelp assign tasks and manage schedules, andAssignment Notificationshelp teachers inform students about upcoming assignments.
Virtual classrooms can be immensely useful, but they often lack the personal touch of in-person teaching. Microsoft highlights in its blog post how Praise Badges, Stickers, and other content help students feel recognized. The company also highlights howReflect Messagingin Teams allows teachers to check in on students.
The list includes several other ways that Microsoft helped bring teachers and students together as well as how Microsoft Innovative Educator programs help educators share experiences and resources.
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
