As Kazakhstan embarks on the new 2024-2025 academic year, the nation proudly serves 7,859 schools and 120 universities, with over 3.9 million schoolchildren1 enrolled, as reported by the Press Service of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In addition, the Minister of Science and Higher Education anticipates approximately 650,000 students2 across higher education institutions this year.
In line with the government’s strategic vision outlined in the Concept for the Development of Preschool, General, Technical, and Vocational Education for 2023-2029, efforts to enhance distance learning will continue to gain momentum. For educators and institutions embracing digital transformation, this is an opportune moment to explore the newly introduced, AI-driven features of Microsoft Teams for Education.
New AI features to streamline assessment and lesson planning
Microsoft Teams for Education has introduced several innovative features designed to simplify lesson planning and improve classroom management. The Generate Rubrics feature allows teachers to create customized assessment criteria for any subject with just a click, streamlining the evaluation process. Educators can also utilize the Generate Assignment Instructions function to quickly create detailed assignments by simply defining the learning objectives, thus making lesson planning more efficient. Furthermore, with the Generate Classwork Modules feature, teachers can effortlessly craft comprehensive learning modules and syllabi. Additionally, educators can now write directly onto PDF documents as part of an assignment, and they can assign each student a designated parent contact, ensuring that parents receive regular performance reports. Teams also offers Learning Accelerators, including the Reading Progress tool, which aids students in practicing text comprehension in both native and foreign languages. Previously a manual process, reading comprehension questions can now be automatically generated by providing the AI with relevant text, saving educators valuable time.
Lastly, Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot provide free generative AI functionality to teachers. With Copilot, educators can create lesson activities and PDF summaries with ease, while Microsoft 365 Copilot integrates AI features into Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Forms, enabling the creation of worksheets and self-correcting assessments efficiently.
Engaging learning tools to enhance student creativity and skills
Students are set to benefit significantly from these updates as well. The Reading Coach feature enhances reading skills by providing real-time feedback on reading speed and pronunciation accuracy, even in noisy environments. This helps students improve their fluency and comprehension. The Speaker Progress tool offers insights into presentation skills, giving feedback on tone of voice, body language, speech speed, and other factors that contribute to effective communication. Students can share this feedback with their teachers for further improvement.
In addition to these tools, Clipchamp empowers students’ creativity with a versatile platform for video editing, available as a mobile, desktop, or web app. With advanced features like green screen work, students can engage in creative projects, particularly in film studies. AI support in Clipchamp allows for automatic video generation, streamlining the creative process.
Moreover, Minecraft Education has received significant updates, including the ability to save and open worlds directly from OneDrive and a new automation table for advanced users. The game now features dozens of worlds aimed at explaining AI concepts, covering vital topics such as ethics, sustainability, and cybersecurity.
Microsoft Teams remains committed to equipping educational institutions with innovative solutions that enhance the learning experience for both educators and students. As Kazakhstan navigates the evolving landscape of education, these updates will play an important role in supporting educational journeys.
For more information on AI features and Microsoft’s latest updates, please refer to the link.
