What’s New with Microsoft?

May 9, 2017

Eastside staff member Eli Weitzman (’20) spent his last Tuesday (May 2nd) in New York City at Microsoft’s “Learn What’s New” Event. Microsoft released a multitude of new tools to help  students learn and be more productive, including the new Surface device: The Surface Laptop. Follow Weitzman as he details his experience at the event.

Microsoft’s Mission to get students to study STEM

Microsoft+encouruages+all+students+to+explore+areas+in+STEM.+

Eli Weitzman

Microsoft encouruages all students to explore areas in STEM.

During its “Learn What’s Next” event, Microsoft took the time to display a new, vast and affordable STEM lesson plan library. Available to all educators, Microsoft’s lessons are free to use and teach with. They target the various aspects of STEM, from constructing robotic hands to making a simple seismograph.

Demoing the robotic hand activity, the main idea of Microsoft’s lessons are to empower anyone to learn STEM, no matter their economic state or knowledge. For the hand, the lowest cost for construction is just three dollars per student. Utilizing simple, cheap materials like copper tape, straws and string, the activity proved to be effective in teaching many different ideals, depending on the viewpoint. The lesson could be adapted to teach medical students, who may be studying how ligaments and bones in the hand work. Or, the lesson could be targeted towards roboticists, explaining and understanding how sensor data can be used to improve movement and understand motion. Overall, the lessons were designed to teach varying subjects and be easy to build and afford for learning.

Microsoft’s stem lessons are free for all to use, and can be found on the educator’s section of the Microsoft Education site, here. 

Windows 10 S, the Future of Educational Computing

Eli Weitzman

Microsoft releases Windows 10 S

Windows 10 S, the Future of Educational Computing

Introducing Windows 10 S, the newest member of the Windows family… And while some may think that the “S” may stand for special, secure or even sport, the “S” truly stands for its intended customer in mind: the student.

Built with speed, agility and efficiency in mind, Windows 10 S is special from the others. Built to support any hardware currently on the market, Windows 10 S is a lightweight, secure operating system. With efficiency in mind, Microsoft created Windows 10 S with a purpose: to adapt to the large and demanding school environment. Including features like quick sign-in and built-in securely verified applications, 10 S has it all.

One key aspect of Windows 10 S that distinguishes it from the other versions of Windows is its lack of installable software. Instead of downloading possibly insecure software files and executables for the computer, Microsoft simplifies it for students, allowing only verified Windows applications to be installed from the store. And, to up security even more, Windows 10 S runs all its applications in separate “containers,” meaning that the apps won’t affect any of the device’s further performance.

Speaking of applications, Microsoft also announced the release of the full Office 365 suite on the Windows store. That makes it even easier to download to the machine and easier to use on-the-go.

One thought that may be coming to the reader’s mind right now may be “is this Windows RT?” For those wondering, Windows RT was a stripped-down operating system designed to be on the low-end Surface products, which disabled the ability to install applications, making them more affordable for the consumer. And while 10 S may be similar to RT, they are truly two opposites. 10 S is designed for students specifically, meaning it was tailored to intentionally be secure and easy to use. Windows RT was designed for everyone, based on a low-end machine, on a stripped-down software base, and was not intended for specified use.

Windows 10 S will be available for schools this summer, ready for upgrades and setup. Included with it is  free Minecraft: Education Edition applications. Again, some may think, “What does Minecraft have to do with learning?” Well, Minecraft’s educational platform is tailored to give visual learners a chance to understand things, by the construction of structures and reenactment of events. During the event, the Parthenon, an Ancient Greek temple, was used as an example of what could be simulated. And, a new code feature was announced as well for Minecraft.

Called Code Builder, a user of Minecraft Education Edition can, in addition to playing the game, now code as well. Using code editors like Scratch, Tynker and MakeCode, the user can now program a small friend called an agent, who completes various tasks and constructions.

All in all, Windows 10 S is packed to the brim with tons of features for students, and will hopefully be available soon for Cherry Hill.

The HoloLens: A Failure or the Future?

One thing that I had to do at least once while I was at the Microsoft event was try on what Microsoft considers the “future of computing.” This involved demoing Microsoft’s revolutionary device, the HoloLens.

Many have criticized the device, calling it unrealistic, or impossible overall. Those others that have tried it, however, have sometimes criticized its effectiveness. However, if my experience proves anything, Microsoft has made some enormous developments in comparison to anything out there.

Courtesy of Microsoft
The HoloLens mixes reality with the virtual world.

What really sets the device apart is its focus on portability. Unlike most of its competitors, the HoloLens boasts a standalone operating system and battery, enabling it to be completely wireless, and not requiring a computer to connect. Simply put, the HoloLens can be its own device.

Additionally, the device’s usability is outstanding. With a weight of only 579 grams (just over a pound), it is no weight on the head. Additionally, the device has a locking mechanism similar to that of a biker’s helmet, where the user places the unit on his or her head, and turns a dial on the back to make it firm-fitting. From there, the user has the full range of motion to use the device.

Overall, my experience with the HoloLens was limited but very impressive. I believe that the device is amazing and can easily be implemented today. The only issue for the HoloLens currently is its cost. Costing a minimum of $3,000, it isn’t quite yet ready for everyone. But hopefully in the future, the HoloLens will be commonplace, and everyone will have one.

Microsoft holds the “Learn What’s Next” event in New York City

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Eli Weitzman

Microsoft VP Corporate VP of Devices, Panos Panay, shows off the Surface laptop to members of the press.

On the second day of May 2017, Microsoft hosted its “Learn What’s Next” event in New York City. Themed around education, the event featured many new tools for students. New services like Microsoft Teams for Education, Minecraft Education: Code Builder, and Windows 10 S were announced as new services to help students be productive and learn in new ways. In addition, Microsoft announced a new Surface device, the Surface Laptop, built for students.

The event began with a keynote by CEO Satya Nadella, who talked of the greatness and potential of education.

“Today’s event is about education and technology. More specifically, it is about empowering the students of today to create the world of tomorrow,” said Nadella.

The keynote then transitioned to the announcement of Windows 10 S, the newest version of Windows, by Microsoft Executive Vice President of Windows and Devices Terry Myerson. The keynote then discussed new Windows educational tools, including Teams and Office 365, as well as Minecraft. The keynote culminated in the enthusiastic launch of the Surface Laptop by Panos Panay, Microsoft Corporate Vice President of Devices.

Pullquote Photo

If you want to achieve more in life, it’s about achieving more in school, learning how to read, how to write, arithmetic, all the way through coding and STEM skills… And starting from that mission, we really took it to heart…

— Eran Megido (Corporate VP of Wunderlist and OneNote)

But the real question is “Why education?” Microsoft has stepped out to talk education now.

“It really started when Satya refocused our mission on empowering every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. And that really starts with students,” said Eran Megiddo, Microsoft Corporate Vice President of  Education. “If you want to achieve more in life, it’s about achieving more in school, learning how to read, how to write, arithmetic, all the way through coding and STEM skills… And starting from that mission, we really took it to heart…”

Overall, the event showed Microsoft’s newly-reaffirmed commitment to education, and how it planned to empower students. While it has had educational products and services prior, this event proved to bring out the best and the newest that Microsoft can provide.  

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