In the world of education, the integration of technology has transformed the way teaching and learning. For educators, it’s essential to keep pace with the latest tools and resources to enhance the student educational experience. Enter Heather Aird, a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert (MIE Expert) from Scotland, who in June 2023, created an initial series of vibrant and user-friendly “Quick Guides” for Microsoft Education products. Now, Heather has created 5 new guides (Teams AI, Speaker Progress, Math Progress, Forms and Dyslexia Tools) and the total is up to 34 guides, broken out by category below. Microsoft has partnered with Heather to make these guides available around the world. With Heather’s PDF Quick Guides, teachers can effortlessly navigate the landscape of Microsoft Education tools and unleash their full potential in the classroom.

Heather’s Quick Guides alleviate this challenge by presenting information in a simple and easy-to-understand format. Each guide provides step-by-step instructions, accompanied by clear screenshots and diagrams, ensuring that even the least tech-savvy teacher can confidently navigate the tools.

A Treasure Trove of Microsoft Education Products
Microsoft Education offers a wealth of powerful tools that can transform classrooms into vibrant centers of learning. However, it sometimes can be overwhelming for teachers to explore and utilize the full potential of these resources. With Heather Aird’s Quick Guides, educators gain access to a treasure trove of insights into various Microsoft Education products. From Immersive Reader to Reflect, Translator to Speaker Coach and many more, Heather’s guides cover a range of tools and where to find them, unlocking endless possibilities for personalized and interactive learning experiences. Here is the full list, with more coming in the near future!

AI in EDU Tools

Copilot
AI-powered Reading Coach
Teams EDU AI features for Educators
Khanmigo

M365 Tools

Classwork in Teams
OneNote Class Notebook
OneNote Desktop
Word – modern updates
PowerPoint – modern updates
Forms
Loop
Stream
Minecraft EDU
Lens
Bookings
Editor
Planner
ToDo

Learning Accelerators

Reading Progress 
Reading Insights
Speaker Progress
Speaker Coach
Search Progress
Search Coach
Math Progress
Math Solver
Reflect
Reflect and Well Being Insights

Inclusive and Accessibility

Dyslexia Tools
Immersive Reader
Reading Coach in Immersive Reader
Translator
Speech to Text
Live Captions

Fun and Engaging
Heather’s Microsoft Education Quick Guides instantly catch the eye with their vibrant colors and engaging design. Gone are the days of dull, text-heavy manuals. These visually stunning guides are a breath of fresh air in the world of educational resources. The clever use of colors not only captures attention but also sparks creativity and imagination, setting the stage for an exciting learning journey.

Printable Portability

One of the unique aspects of Heather’s Quick Guides is their printable PDF format. Teachers can easily print and carry these guides wherever they go, ensuring easy access to valuable information at any time. Whether you’re in the classroom, or attending professional development workshops, Heather’s Quick Guides are your trusty companions, ready to provide guidance and support whenever you need them.

Heather Aird’s EdTech “Quick Guides” are a game-changer for educators seeking to harness the power of Microsoft Education products in their classrooms. Through vibrant colors, simplicity, and comprehensive coverage of various tools, these guides empower teachers to embrace technology confidently. With Heather Aird’s Quick Guides, the integration of EdTech becomes an exciting journey of exploration, collaboration, and creativity, leading to enhanced student engagement and enriched learning experiences. So, grab your Quick Guides, embrace the possibilities, and let the transformative power of technology unfold in your classroom!

Mike Tholfsen
Group Product Manager
Microsoft Education

​Microsoft Tech Community – Latest Blogs –Read More