Accelerating Your Learning Journey with Microsoft Copilot
This article explores how professionals in London areleveragingMicrosoft Copilot to significantly enhance their learning from online courses. Copilot is not a replacement for traditional methods, but a ‘study buddy’ that you can work with to improve your understanding and improve your retention and problem-solving skills.
The Learning Challenge: Getting More from Your Course
The traditional online learning model is effective, but it can be a one-way street which brings frustrations.
Learners watch videos and read text to absorb information but without someone to ask when they get stuck get frustrated that they don’t understand something. Additionally, they sometimes find applying concepts tricky without guidance to help them.
This is where a tool like Copilot comes in. It serves as an active learning partner, providing feedback and adapting explanations to a learner’s specific needs. Copilot transforms a static video course into a dynamic, two-way dialogue, helping you get the most out of your course material.
Many of London’s accountancy and law students are now using Copilot extensively to ‘discuss’ concepts that they are not confident with, rather than bothering classmates or teachers.Similarly, many people learning to be data analysts are using Copilot to help with Power BI questions.
Setting Up Your Personal Tutor: Learning to Use Copilot Properly
To get the most out of Copilot, it’s important to use it with a strategic mindset. The goal is to deepen your understanding, not to find quick answers.
The first step is to “prime” Copilot with your learning context to be sure that it is working from the same texts and knowledge base.
1. Establish the Context: Before you start asking questions, set the stage. Tell Copilot what you are studying and at what level. For example, “I am taking an online course accountancy course to sit my level 1 exams with the ICAEW in London on [DATE]. The specific course I am currently studying is [INSERT COURSE].”
1. Provide Course Material: For a deeper, more accurate interaction, feed Copilot with your course materials. You can paste in a transcript of a video, a key paragraph from the course textbook, or a list of topics. This ensures Copilot’s answers are tailored to your specific curriculum and not generic.
1. Define Your Goal: Clarify what you want to achieve. Are you looking for a simple explanation, a practice problem, or a summary? Being specific from the outset ensures more relevant responses.
For example “When I ask a question please do not give me a direct answer unless I explicitly ask you to. Please ask me simple questions which will help me work out the answer independently and improve my learning.”
If you are not an experienced Copilot user it may make sense to learn how to use it given the value that it can add as a ‘study buddy’ when properly set up. There are plenty of course providers in the London. Acuity Training offers award-winning Copilot training at its London centre and so would be worth calling.
Dynamic Learning with Copilot: Your Go-To Tutor
Once Copilot is set up, you can use it for a range of advanced learning techniques. This is where it truly becomes your personal tutor.
1. Explaining a Topic in Different Ways: A key benefit of Copilot is its ability to rephrase complex ideas. Instead of just re-reading a difficult section of your course material, ask Copilot to explain it differently.
Actionable Prompts:
● “Explain [Topic] to me using a simple analogy.”
● “Break down [Topic] into a step-by-step process.”
● “Give me a bullet-point summary of [Topic].”
● “Please explain [Topic] in three different ways.’
1. Spaced Repetition and Focusing on Problem Areas: Spaced repetition is a proven learning technique for long-term retention. Copilot can act as your personal quiz master. After a course module, ask Copilot to quiz you on the main points a day or a week later. Additionally, if you find yourself struggling with a specific concept, use Copilot to generate targeted practice.
Actionable Prompts:
● “Give me three practice problems on [Problem Area].”
● “Create a short quiz for me on [Topic] from yesterday’s lesson.”
● “Please create a series of practice problems for me on [Problem Area] which get increasingly difficult and build on the learning from the previous questions.”
1. Code and Formula Explanations: Use Copilot can break it down code and other complex concepts into their constituent parts. Paste the code or concept explanationinto Copilot and it ask for a detailed line-by-line explanation. Ask for more detail if there is a section that still isn’t clear so that you understand the logic behind the solution, not just the result.
Actionable Prompts:
● “Please explain the above, breaking it down concept-by-concept.”
● “Please annotate the code above in detail explaining the logic behind each line. Please offer more detailed explanation when a concept is something that you know I have previously struggled with.”
Tailoring Your Learning to Your Pace
Everyone has different learning needs. Some grasp concepts quickly but need help with application. Others are hands-on learners who need to practice. Copilot allows you to customise your learning path.
● Deep Dive into Specific Areas: If a course glosses over a topic you find particularly interesting or relevant to your job, you can use Copilot to go deeper. Ask it to provide additional resources, a more detailed explanation, or case studies related to that subject.
● Skimming and Prioritising: For subjects you are already familiar with, Copilot can help you quickly identify the key takeaways. You can paste in a course transcript or summary and ask for the “3 most important points.” This allows you to focus your time on new and challenging material.
Beyond Knowledge: Building Problem-Solving Skills
Learning isn’tjust about memorising facts. It’s about developing the ability to solve problems. Copilot can be a great partner in this.
● “What-If” Scenarios: When a course provides a case study, you can use Copilot to explore different outcomes. Ask it, “What if we changed [variable]? How would that impact the result?” This helps you think critically and understand who cause and effect relationshipswork.
● Troubleshooting and Debugging: A major roadblock in online learning is getting stuck. Instead of searching forums for hours, you can paste the problem or error message into Copilot for an explanation. It can usually provide a solution or, at the very least, point you in the right direction. This not only saves time but also teaches you how to problem-solve effectively.
The Future of Personalised Learning
Copilot transforms online courses into a dynamic, personalised learning experience. By integrating Copilot into your study routine, you are not just passively consuming content; you are actively engaging with it. This strategic investment in your professional development allows you to acquire new skills faster and more efficiently.
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