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p>Article content Joseph Filiplic changed the way he taught during the pandemic. He's not changing back.

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p>Article content When COVID-19 struck and classes went online in 2020 the Edmonton social studies teacher realised the extent of the challenge the school was facing. "When everyone was learning remotely, people were also working from home. I noticed that many of my students were taking on additional duties at home. https://controlc.com/9a22e699 They were taking on the role of babysitters for younger siblings , and more," he says of his J.J. Bowlen Catholic Junior High students. "I had to make sure that I was reaching my students. They were being pulled in various directions and were doing something completely different to me.

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p>The answer? What he calls a flipped lesson style, using mostly Microsoft education tools - like video-conferencing platforms Teams, note-taking app OneNote? and video-discussion software Flipgrid. Filiplic claims that he recorded all his lessons and upload them to YouTube?. Then, he would add them to Teams and OneNote?. The course materials and assignments can be accessed on almost any device from there.

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p>He was hopeful that his students could weather the pandemic without a hitch. However, to his surprise they did more than just survive: they thrived. The students who had succeeded in a traditional classroom environment were still succeeding. He was now able to reach students who learn differently. For example, those who struggle with language barriers, learning disabilities and even shyness.

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p>"I was aware from that point on that I couldn’t go back to the traditional stand-and-deliver method. It must be more interactive from now on. It needs to be more cooperative," he says. The digital tools were able to continue working even after the classes in person resumed. Filiplic continues to record lessons on video and lets students respond to him using Flipgrid. His students can also call Filiplic or message him via Teams whenever they require. It's much more modern-day workplace with flexible hours and motivated employees. "My students aren't stuck within the four walls no more," says Filiplic. They understand that the teaching does not stop when the bell rings. It has removed a lot of barriers.

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p>Filiplic says that the article content was a natural choice right from the beginning. Microsoft is the gold standard for workplaces. "I thought, OK I teach social studies. But am I teaching just that subject, or am I teaching my student how to contribute to the society?" What happens when they grow up? He says that everything pointed towards Microsoft.

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p>Microsoft has always been focused on education as a business. This is evident in the latest release of Windows SE, a cloud-based version of its operating system. The new operating system will be available on budget-friendly tablets and laptops from Acer, Asus and Dell as well as Microsoft directly under the Surface brand.

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p>"Windows SE comes with specially-designed features that aid K to 8 students in ways we've heard our customers say they were looking for," says Paige Johnson, Microsoft vice-president of education marketing. The new interface is designed to reduce visual distractions and puts the most flexible, inclusive learning tools at the forefront. These include Microsoft Teams and OneNote?, and features like Reading Progress - an AI tool that aids teachers in assessing the level of fluency of students remotely - and Immersive Reader Interactive reading comprehension and learning tool that makes text more accessible to students of all ages.

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p>Johnson states that Reading Progress is great for educators as it allows them to concentrate their teaching time where they're most needed. "For instance, if I noticed that all my students were unable to pronounce the word 'physical' correctly I might realize that I'm not speaking it out loud or that I have to give them more reading examples with that word in it.

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p>Article content The company also offers free Microsoft 365 for students that comes with Flipgrid and an education edition of Minecraft the world-building video game.

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p>Filiplic believes these new releases will open new possibilities in a field that's brimming with opportunities for teachers and students as parents, who can now track their children's progress like never. His YouTube? videos have been a hit with teachers across Canada, too and he's been helping others flip the script on the traditional lecture format.

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p>"I'm in my 17th year of teaching and I'm having lots of energy, I feel like a new teacher," he says. "I'm extremely grateful to have found these tools, because I know that I'm able to reach more students than I ever have before. I can't go back. I won't go back."

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p>This story was developed by Content Works, Postmedia's commercial content division, on behalf of Microsoft.

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