- Introducing special functions for group learning
- Online assignment notebook function
- Virtual board to exchange feedback between teachers and students
- Video assignment submission to adapt to digital era
Bangkok – 26 March 2020 – Microsoft (Thailand), is strengthening its partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, advancing outside-the-classroom education by supporting remote learning through interactive virtual classrooms on the Microsoft Teams platform for 150 universities, covering over 60,000 educators and over 2 million students across the country.
Dr. Suvit Maesincee, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), said: “As the current COVID-19 pandemic expands around the world, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation sees the impact it is having on all staff and students of universities. Therefore, we are implementing measures to help in the fight against COVID-19 by ensuring that students from all universities across Thailand can continue their education through a 100% online learning system, which will limit contact in public spaces and allow educational institutions to turn a crisis into an opportunity. This will also take the learning experience to a higher level – in line with modern learning methods. The Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation is ready to sign a memorandum of understanding with Microsoft (Thailand) to allow all universities around the country to advance outside-the-classroom learning that goes beyond a simple video conferencing experience, with Microsoft’s comprehensive special tools (now already available) for all students and educators nationwide. Interested parties can find more information about the program and the operational process through the Ministry and Microsoft.”
Mr. Dhanawat Suthumpun, Managing Director of Microsoft Thailand, said: “Microsoft has always prioritized the education sector and been committed to supporting the skills–learning of students through their educators with integrated learning by utilizing technology in a holistic approach through different initiatives, including our many partnerships with educational organizations in Thailand. With our partnership with the Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, we are providing remote learning tools with Microsoft Teams for Education, which was specifically designed to enhance the learning experience, both inside and outside classrooms, regardless of the situation. Microsoft spent a long time developing the tools for all educators worldwide to integrate the technology into their teaching and we have received continuous constructive feedback on making improvements. We share the objective of doing our best to pass on knowledge to students. I also believe that when learning technology is integrated with the talent of Thai teachers, it will drive the education sector in Thailand forward to be able to overcome the current situation, and pave the way for the next generation of students to succeed better in the future.”
Microsoft Teams for Education is an application for communication and teamwork that fully supports the education sector, with the capability to cater for up to 5,000 students in one classroom, divide people into groups to study over 200 learning topics in sub-classrooms, share files of up to 15GB, allow up to 100 people to work on the same file (which can be kept in a free, large space), record the lesson in a video format for a rerun within 10 minutes after class, and design the learning schedule. Learners can use these tools from all channels including Windows, Mac OS, iOS, Android and web browsers.
Microsoft Teams and Office 365 A1 are now available for higher education institutions across the country to use without any cost and will become the main learning platform for universities due to highlight features beyond a general video conferencing system, including:
- OneNote Class Notebooks, a digital notebook featuring a system that can separate different subjects to accommodate students and allow the teachers of each subject to check notebooks and provide feedback
- Microsoft Whiteboard for Education, a digital board that allows multiple users to work at the same time; supports the conversion of images into drawing lines on the board along with many other features
- Student Analytics, a learning analytics system that allows teachers to assess the level of interest and participation of their students in real time and analyzes the data to identify indicators of effective learning as the next step
- Flipgrid, a short video-centric online learning program that allows educators to easily add lessons they want to teach and share links with their students, who can access the information and record the lessons by clicking the links
- Minecraft: Education Edition can be used at no cost in Microsoft Office 365 for Education
- Microsoft Educator Center, a hub source of information for educators to develop their online courses
- Supports the addition of third-party apps or websites to be used as part of the classroom without the need to switch to different apps
- Supports the process of providing assignments and grading, allowing students to conveniently check their scores from examinations and assignments anytime
- Provides chatrooms for different groups on each subject
The operations of Microsoft Teams and Office 365 A1, which are currently available for universities across Thailand, will be overseen through a partnership with Lannacom Co., Ltd. Microsoft is also working together with CIOs from leading universities across the country to develop technology and build a community of users.
For universities looking to access Microsoft Teams and Office 365 A1, please contact:
Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation
Assistant Prof. Denpong Soodphakdee (Khon Kaen University), email: [email protected] or FB Messenger: Denpong Soodphakdee,
Microsoft Thailand: Education Sector
Mr. Satakorn Saravit Tel. 0894246179 or email: [email protected]
Microsoft partner – Lannacom Co., Ltd.
Mr. Thanachart Vivatthanaputi, Tel. 0814863186 or email: [email protected]
For more information on how to start remote learning through Microsoft’s platforms, please click here.
For more tips on how to use the tools, please visit the blogs in the dedicated help center of Microsoft for Education.