THE Microsoft Learning Accelerator Initiative (opens in a new tab) includes tools and devices within Microsoft that help accelerate progress in the classroom, boosting learning for students of all ages. Learning Accelerator tools allow teachers to personalize student learning, regardless of skill level.
- Reading coach
Students practice with gentle guidance through pronunciation, syllabation, reading speed and vocabulary recall. Reading Coach is particularly useful in helping students with a range of learning differences. - Reading progress
Reading Progress tracks student reading skills, gives educators actionable insights quickly, and focuses students on specific areas for improvement. By streamlining the process of creating, reviewing, and analyzing reading assignments, teachers can devote more time to active instruction. - Reflect
Microsoft Reflect is a tool within Teams that helps students identify and express their feelings. Students can learn to deal with all kinds of emotions with the Feelings Monster, which helps them find the right words to describe their feelings.
Catherine Coleman, Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, is a big fan of the Microsoft Learning Accelerator Initiative tools.
“I think what’s really important is seeing a smile on a child’s face when they’ve done something they never thought they could do,” she says. “For example, when they’re looking to solve a problem that they’ve found so difficult for a long time and all of a sudden this light bulb goes on, they have this huge smile on their face and they’re like ‘Madam, I I did it, I get it, I can do it.'”
Coleman tells the story of another child whose reading accuracy ability skyrocketed with just four days of practice, saying “In four days, listening to herself reread and my video feedback, she progressed [from a starting rate of 6% accuracy] at an accuracy rate of 67%.
Coleman also highlights the benefits of Microsoft Reflect, describing the positive effects on a young child who was initially crying and scared but became a smiling and confident young learner through the use of Microsoft Reflect.