Microsoft is rolling out a new set of easy-to-use collaboration, accessibility and security features in Windows 11 designed for education organizations.
The new Windows 11 education features Microsoft highlights include new IT management features, live captions, focus features to help eliminate distractions, simple sign-in and personalized desktop themes.
According to Microsoft, school IT administrators in K-12 organizations can now use Managed Installer to approve and deploy apps to Windows 11 SE devices. This is designed to help education IT professionals ensure that devices are secure, easy to deploy and manage and perform well for an entire school year.
Deployment through Microsoft Intune for Education is still required, helping IT administrators get streamlined app distribution and automation prevention of app-based malware attacks, Microsoft says in a blog.
Admins can also use the Intune for Education dashboard to monitor app-related Windows 11 device health and set and manage school security policies for devices and apps.
Another IT feature in Windows 11 that educational organizations can take advantage of is simple sign-in, which Microsoft says offers a more simple and secure sign-in experience that allows students and staff to easily sign in using existing third-party providers such as Google or Clever to access Windows 11 Pro Education, Windows Education and Windows 11 SE. In addition, they can also use QR codes to sign in.
The feature allows students to sign in using a federated identity provider via web sign-in. This allows students to use the tools they already know to access learning materials, tools and resources, and reduces disruption at the start of the class, Microsoft says.
Microsoft also details live captions, a new feature in Windows 11 and Windows 11 SE designed to make audio more accessible to students wit hearing disabilities, or English language learners. The feature instantly displays audio on a device and captures and transcribes microphone input.
Students can set up live captions once to get automatic audio transcriptions across their device’s productivity apps and enable captions to help as needed. Live captions can also transcribe audio from a website in Microsoft Edge.
In addition, new Focus features can help reduce distractions and create healthy digital habits. Students can start a Focus session from their notification center and enjoy a defined break when it ends. This silences notifications automatically and prevents apps from flashing alerts.
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