40 in 40: Microsoft Tools, Tips, and Treasures

Resource Materials:

In this section of the Resources Page you will find reference materials, tutorials and how-to information that will help you review or extend your knowledge from the presentation.

Session Padlet (Collaborate)

Made with Padlet

40+ Tips and Tools

Microsoft Educators Community 

  • Free courses for teachers on a variety of topics (earn points!)
  • Free webinars for teachers
  • Educators can earn badges for completed courses
  • Educators can earn certifications for some of the topics
  • Lesson plans are ready-to-go and easy to search
  • Resources for the classroom offers one-page activities
  • Earn points for your progress
  • TeachersFirst Review of Microsoft Educators Community
  • View the OK2Ask Archive (virtual workshop) related to the Microsoft Educators Community.

BING

  • Sign-in to access all of the features
  • Save time by using the Hamburger menu
  • Don’t miss Fun & Games – Current Events Quiz (updated frequently)
  • Don’t miss Fun & Games – Geography Quiz (updated frequently)
  • Don’t miss Fun & Games – Home Page Quiz
  • Don’t miss Fun & Games – Puzzles
  • Use BING Images to teach about copyright
  • Use BING Images to save collections
  • Use BING Images to collect all of your saves
  • Use BING Images to share the Image of the Day
  • Use BING Maps to find directions
  • Use BING Maps to view current traffic
  • Use BING Maps to view 3 types of maps
  • Use BING Maps to show students where a story in the news took place
  • Use BING Maps to show students the location from a novel
  • Use BING Maps to show students the basics of their community
  • Use BING Maps to have students create their own map route plans for historic sites
  • Use BING Maps in math class, have students plan the most economical route to visit several vacation destinations, include gas mileage and gas prices
  • Use BING Maps in history, have students create place-marker files of important places in the life of a famous person from a certain time in history, such as the Civil War, World War II, Great Depression, etc
  • Don’t forget to share or embed student-created maps using the links and embed codes provided
  • View the OK2Ask Archive (virtual workshop) to learn more about BING

 Microsoft Translator for Education

  • Translate text in over SIXTY languages. Simply copy/paste or type your text and click translate. EASY!
  • Have a conversation with someone in another language.
    • Currently available in twelve languages.
    • Once you click to “start conversation” it will translate into the desired language AS YOU SPEAK. Truly a game-changer! You say the words, and participants see the words in the language that they chose.
  • Tip – don’t forget EARBUDS!
  • Use with ESL/ELL students and their parents (perfect for conferences).
  • Use at Back to School night, so all can understand in their native language or through text if hearing impaired.
  • Use this tool in world language classes for students to hear the correct pronunciation of the words.
  • Use this tool with hearing-impaired students. You SAY the word and they can SEE it! They follow along in real-time! There is no interpreter necessary and students feel included in the discussion. Teach them to use this feature now, so they can use it in the future outside of the 4-walls of the classroom. 
  • Check out this blog post with lots of great ideas for using Microsoft Translator.
  • View the OK2Ask Archive (virtual workshop) to learn more about Microsoft Translator.
  • View this video of Microsoft Translator in action.

Microsoft Immersive Reader

  • Learn more at this introductory video
  • Use with students who have visual needs or reading needs.
  • Use Immersive Reader to personalize the playback speed, highlight text during audio reading, adjust text size, and spacing
  • You can also click on any word to listen to the pronunciation.
  • Use to teach parts of speech.
  • View words divided into syllables, use labels to color-code words by parts of speech, increase the spacing between lines and letters.

SWAY 

  • Create simple interactive presentations that work across all devices.
  • Sways allow you to add text, images, videos, and more.
  • Sway allows you to change the color palette, layout, and fonts
  • See the TeachersFirst Review for classroom ideas, anytime you need to have students create a presentation (such as a final project) – Sway is the Way!
  • View the OK2Ask Archive (virtual workshop) to learn more about Sway.

OneNote 

  • Check out this video explaining how and why teachers should use OneNote.
  • OneNote is device agnostic, so available as an app or on the web browser.
  • Use OneNote to stay organized.
  • Keep your notes, emails, photos, and more.
  • View the OK2Ask Archive (virtual workshop) to learn more about OneNote
  • View this What is OneNote video.
  • View these OneNote tutorial videos.
  • Organize them into folders and access from any device.
  • Use this to help your students to stay organized tool.

FlipGrid 

  • FlipGrid allows your students to create video responses using ANY device.
  • Ask a question, and it is a great way for ALL students to participate – regardless of reading ability.
  • Give all students a voice. Even shy students can easily participate.
  • Use for formative assessment, an exit slip at the end of class, beginning of the year introductions, and more.
  • FlipGrid has been acquired by Microsoft and now you can create UNLIMITED grids in your class, as an educator. ALL FREE!!!
  • Find countless additional ideas in the TeachersFirst Review of FlipGrid. 
  • View the OK2Ask Archive (virtual workshop) to learn more about FlipGrid.

Tutorial Videos

In-the-Classroom:

Our In-the-Classroom section is where you will find ideas and examples on how to integrate the tools shared into classroom instruction.

TeachersFirst Reviews – Microsoft

TeachersFirst has a tagged list of all of our Microsoft tools and trainings.

 

Return to Session Home Page