Are today's classrooms equipped to meet the educational needs of every student? According to recent data, 72% of students  need to learn material outside of their standard grade level, posing a significant challenge for educators working to enable every student to succeed. The NWEA reports that though some learning gaps that widened during the pandemic have begun to close, student scores in reading and math have still not rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. In addition, gaps are widest for younger students, and those in traditionally marginalized communities. This has become a pressing issue for educators and learners alike, as the education system must prepare students with future-ready skills that are crucial for their success beyond the classroom.

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With a simple yet significant goal, Microsoft  is standing out to empower every learner on the planet to achieve more.

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“Technology can be a tremendous equalizer if implemented well, and that is one of the focuses of our work at Microsoft. It’s to make sure that we're designing technology that helps teachers be more efficient and effective and helps students achieve more.”

Paige Johnson, VP of Education Marketing at Microsoft

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With a focus on improving accessibility, increasing productivity, and promoting collaboration, Microsoft's educational offerings are intentionally designed to meet the evolving needs of the modern classroom.

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The Microsoft Learning Accelerators help educators save classroom time and unlock the full potential of every student with opportunities to personalize learning with independent practice sessions that provide instant feedback and targeted coaching in an inclusive, accessible, and safe environment. By leveraging advanced technology such as artificial intelligence, Learning Accelerators facilitate the development of foundational skills such as reading, writing, and math while also promoting  information literacy and communication skills. This approach ensures that students are well-prepared for the challenges of the future, where a wide range of competencies is essential for success.

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In addition to working to close learning gaps, part of preparing students for the future means engaging them with activities that allow them to take ownership of their own learning.

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Minecraft Education is another transformative learning tool offered by Microsoft. It is a game-based learning platform set in the Minecraft universe, purpose-built for educational use. This inclusive learning tool puts students at the center of their own learning, giving them new ways to demonstrate their understanding and engage in curricular content. Student-led learning is critical for preparing students to thrive in school and the future workplace. Minecraft Education empowers educators to engage all types of students and help them build skills like collaboration, digital citizenship, and creative problem solving. By bringing play into the classroom, educators can unlock student potential and motivate deep, meaningful learning.

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Microsoft provides a variety of educational products and services that are specifically designed with feedback from the education profession to enhance the teaching and learning experience for students, educators, and schools. Whether it's through innovative software, cutting-edge hardware, or comprehensive support services, Microsoft is dedicated to empowering educators with the tools they need to create immersive and impactful learning environments. 

As education continues to evolve, the classroom must keep pace by advancing, listening to feedback, and adopting best practices. In doing so, it can continue to meet the changing needs of students through the use of current and emerging technology. Microsoft is committed to collaborating with educators to identify solutions and to ensure that technology supports more equitable education. With Learning Accelerators like Reading Progress and Reading Coach that help close subject mastery gaps, and engaging learning tools like Minecraft, Microsoft is reimagining education to help educators put students at the center of their own learning.