Microsoft Tools For Supporting Learners (SNAs - P & PP)

Tools for Independent Learning (Part 1)

During this session we will review tools to support literacy:

• Immersive Reader
• Office Lens
• Dictate

The Microsoft Immersive Reader is a free tool, built into Word, OneNote, Outlook, Office Lens, Microsoft Teams, Forms, Flipgrid, Minecraft Education Edition and the Edge browser, that implement proven techniques to improve reading and writing for people regardless of their age or ability. It also supports the translation into a number of languages.

Office Lens is a great way to capture notes and information from whiteboards, menus, signs, handwritten memos, or anything with a lot of text. You don’t need to jot down notes, rely on blurry images, or worry about misplacing anything. It’s great for capturing sketches, drawings and equations too, and even images without text.

Dictation lets you use speech-to-text to author content in Office with a microphone and reliable internet connection. It's a quick and easy way to get your thoughts out, create drafts or outlines, and capture notes. 

These tools can be used by students to access learning material at home or in school in an independent nature.

Tools for Independent Learning (Part 2)

During this session we will look at tools that will enable students to access materials in an independent manner

• Microsoft Edge for accessibility & organisation
• Support for ESOL/EAL students
• Ease of Access Centre
• Maths Assistant & solver

Microsoft Edge is a web browser that has a number of features that aid in accessibility & organisation for the student. In this session we will explore how this can used to support learners as they prepare for cba’s and other tasks.

Microsoft 365 has a number of built in supports for translation into other languages, subtitles, translation & read aloud. The translator app also allows capture of audio and images and translation into various languages.

The Math assistant was build to help students, parents and teachers automatically generate simple equations for the students to solve using a random number generator selection method. Microsoft Math Solver Get step-by-step explanations, how to solve problems and show your work—plus get definitions for mathematical concepts. When these features are combined students can practice and learn how to solve a number of math problems.

The Ease of Access centre allows people to adapt their computer to make it accessible and support the individual needs of a student. In this session we will explore how you change settings to make the platform more accessible for students.

Course Tutor: Karen Burke