Tag Archives: Microsoft

Creating Human-like Audio Conversations with CoPilot

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CoPilot from Microsoft allows educators to design dynamic audio experiences from self-selected content. Educators choose materials, load them to Copilot, and then create an audio overview. The resulting audio sounds like two human podcast hosts discussing the content. Here’s a sample of the podcast hosts discussing the Robots for Everyone Initiative and a transcript of the podcast. Once created, educators can save the audio file to Onedrive and then download it to share with learners.

A screenshot of a dark-themed workspace in Microsoft Copilot Notebook. At the top, the notebook title reads “Robots for Everyone” accompanied by a small robot emoji and a button labeled “Play audio.” Under the title, links appear that say “Add Copilot instructions” and “Tell Copilot how to respond in this notebook.”A large input box is centered below the title with the prompt text “Ask Copilot about your references or another topic for this notebook.” A microphone icon appears on the right side of the box. Directly beneath are two buttons: “Summarize my notebook” and “Suggest 3 questions for this notebook.” Lower on the page are two tabs: References (selected) and Chats. Within References, a circular button labeled “All” is highlighted, followed by a button labeled “+ New page.” A listed reference appears below titled “Robots for Everyone 🤖 2025 – 2026” with a small document icon and a timestamp that says “1h ago.” In the bottom right corner of the screenshot, a floating media player shows the same project title “Robots for Everyone 🤖,” a progress indicator (18:42/18:42), playback speed controls, and a button labeled “Open in OneDrive.” A small note below the player reads, “AI-generated content may be incorrect.”

Screenshot of an Example of the Audio Overview feature of Microsoft CoPilot

Adding Steps to Microsoft To-Do

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Microsoft To-Do is a tool available to any staff in LCPS that invites users to create To Do Lists. Tasks in Microsoft To Do can be broken down into smaller, more actionable pieces called Steps. Users can create iterative steps for each task helping them know specific actions to take to complete a task. The Add steps, importance, notes, tags, and categories to your tasks website provides support for how to get started.

This image shows a digital task list for the project "Turn in the Solar System Diorama." The list includes the main task at the top with a star icon to the right, likely for marking importance. Below are ten subtasks, each with a circle to mark completion and an "x" to the right, likely for marking tasks as done.The subtasks are: Research: Read project instructions: Review the requirements and rubric. Research planets: Find key facts about size, color, and order. Sketch the layout: Plan the design and placement of planets. List materials: Write down needed supplies like foam balls and paint. Gather materials: Collect or purchase everything on the list. Paint planets: Match colors to each planet. Assemble diorama: Arrange and glue planets in the box. Add details: Label planets and add creative touches like stars or moons. Review project: Check against the rubric for accuracy and completeness. Submit: Turn in the finished diorama on time. At the bottom is a plus sign (+) with the label "Next step," suggesting the ability to add more subtasks.

Sample Task with Steps in Microsoft To Do

Prioritizing Tasks by Adding Importance in Microsoft To-Do

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Microsoft To-Do is a tool available to any staff in LCPS that invites users to create To Do Lists. Some tasks added to a list may be more important or timely than others. Users can add priority to individual tasks in a list by starring which are deemed important. Once starred, users can view all the prioritized tasks in the important smart list. Users can also sort each list by importance to have starred tasks automatically move to the top of the list. The Add steps, importance, notes, tags, and categories to your tasks website provides support for how to add importance to tasks.

This image shows a digital to-do list with columns for "Title," "Due Date," and "Importance." Each task is listed with a circle to the left, likely for marking completion. The "Importance" column uses star icons, with more stars indicating higher importance.The tasks listed are: Charge Chromebook: It's almost dead, and I'll need it in class. (High importance) Get a parent signature: For the field trip permission slip. (High importance) Clean out my backpack: Get rid of old papers and organize folders. (High importance) Write English paragraph: Finish the rough draft of my personal narrative. (Medium importance) Practice tuba: 15 minutes for band class. (Medium importance) Text Emma: Ask her about the group presentation. (Medium importance) Pack gym clothes: Bring sneakers for PE tomorrow. (Medium importance) Work on history project: Find 3 pictures for my Civil War poster. (Medium importance) Study for science quiz: Review notes on the water cycle. (Medium importance) Finish math homework: Page 42, problems 1-20. (Medium importance)

A Sample To Do List with Starred Items at the Top

The My Day Feature in Microsoft To-Do

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The My Day feature in Microsoft To-Do is perfect for prioritizing what needs to be accomplished today. Each morning, users can start fresh by adding tasks from other lists or creating new ones just for the day. Unlike regular task lists, My Day resets daily, which helps users focus without feeling overwhelmed by long-term projects. Users can keep track of immediate priorities and feel a sense of achievement as each item is completed, making productivity both manageable and rewarding. The My Day and suggestions website provides support for how to get started. The video belows also provides a tutorial about how to get started.

Microsoft To-Do: Adding a Reminder

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In Microsoft To-Do, add reminders to a task to get alerts as the due date approaches. This feature is perfect for managing everything from daily errands to long-term projects, helping users stay organized and complete tasks on time. The Add due dates and reminder in Microsoft To Do website provides step-by-step instructions for how to get started.

This image shows a digital task or to-do list item with the title "Turn in the Butterfly project." Below the title are the following options:Add step: A plus sign (+) indicating the ability to add subtasks. Added to My Day: A sun icon indicating the task has been added to a "My Day" list or view. Remind me: A bell icon for setting a reminder. Add due date: A calendar icon for setting a due date. Repeat: A circular arrow icon for setting up a recurring task. To the right of the title is a star icon, likely for marking the task as important or a favorite.

Set reminders and due dates in Microsoft To Do

Image Support in Practice Words of Reading Coach in Immersive Reader

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Reading Coach is a feature of Immersive Reader by Microsoft. Reading Coach analyzes the audio of a learner reading a passage aloud and provides specific, personalized feedback to the individual including five target words to practice. The learner is then presented with words in isolation and invited to practice reading each word aloud. To help the individual learn how to decode the word, the learner has the option turn on image support which places a symbol or symbols over the text. The learner can use the image to help confirm what the word is which could help the individual learn how to read the word.

An icon of a robot next to text that reads, "When you're ready, press the microphone and read the text aloud." Below the text are two symbols. The first is someone pointing to a chart. The second is a person in front of a from pointing to a screen. Below both symbols is the word presentation. Below the word are three icons. The first is for text to speech, the second is for syllable support. The third is for image support. Centered at the bottom of the screen is a green microphone icon.

Image Support in Reading Coach

This video provides a quick demonstration of Reading Coach:

Syllable Support in Practice Words of Reading Coach in Immersive Reader

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Reading Coach is a feature of Immersive Reader by Microsoft. Reading Coach analyzes the audio of a learner reading a passage aloud and provides specific, personalized feedback to the individual including five target words to practice. The learner is then presented with words in isolation and invited to practice reading each word aloud. To help the individual learn how to decode the word, the learner has the option turn on syllable support which places bullets between the syllables. This can help the learner how to break a word into component parts.

A blue robot icon with the text that reads, "When you're ready, press the microphone and read the text aloud." The word enrichment is broken into syllables with a dot between each syllable. En dot rich dot ment. There are icons below the words for text to speech, syllable support, and image support. Centered at the bottom is green microphone icon

Example of Syllable Support

This video provides a quick demonstration of Reading Coach:

Practice Words Feature of Reading Coach in Immersive Reader

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Reading Coach is a feature of Immersive Reader by Microsoft. Reading Coach analyzes the audio of a learner reading a passage aloud and provides specific, personalized feedback to the individual including five target words to practice. Each word is then presented in isolation.

5 words in boxes. The words are additional, comments, enrichment, presentation, and energy. There is a star in the top right corner of each box. Below the boxes is an icon of robot with text "These words were most challenging for you. Select any word to tackle them again.

Practice Words in Reading Coach

When a user selects a word, it is presented in isolation on the screen. The user can then practice reading the word aloud.

An icon of a blue robot at the top of the screen with text that reads, "When you're ready, press the microphone and read the word aloud." In the center is the word "additional" There are icons below the word for a speech to text function, a syllabification option, and an image option. Centered at the bottom is a microphone button.

Example of Practice Word

This video provides a quick demonstration of Reading Coach:

Introducing Reading Coach in Immersive Reader

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Microsoft has recently added a new reading fluency practice feature to Immersive Reader called Reading Coach. Using a tool that has Immersive Reader such as Microsoft Word, a learner reads a passage aloud. Reading Coach then analyzes the audio to provide specific, personalized feedback to the individual including five target words to practice. The feedback includes measure of a percentage of accuracy, time spent reading, and words read accurately per minute. Learners can keep a record of their scores and use it to document progress over time.

Reading Report 4 quadrants. Quadrant 1 = 53% Accuracy, Quadrant 2 = 44 seconds Time spent Reading, Quadrant 3 = 149 correct words per minute. Quadrant 4 = 5 words to practice. Green button that reads Practice Words.

Feedback from Reading Coach

This video provides a quick demonstration:

Prioritizing and Completing Tasks with Checklists

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Learners can use technology to create a checklist of tasks to accomplish and put them in order based on what needs to get done first. Checklists provide a visual reminder of what needs to be accomplished. Checkboxes can be used to indicate when something has been completed. Digital checklists can often be shared with educators to provide guidance and feedback. Digital checklists are also often flexible, allowing items to be re-ordered, read aloud with text to speech, and edited. The following are a list of potential tools that could be used to create digital checklists.