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Digital Learning Tools to support you with your studies
A range of tools are available across the Microsoft Suite of products to help with:
Staying focused while using the computer.
Improving reading comprehension.
Improving spelling and grammar.
Enhancing Powerpoint slides.
Better managing your time with tools and workflows to support organisation and efficiency.
Listed below are the key tools, grouped into the overarching application to study. Watch the embedded videos for a demonstration of tools in action across various products like Word, OneNote, Edge and Teams. Availability of these tools varies across program and platform. To find out what's available where, review the MS Learning Tools breakdown (opens in a new window).
You can also explore the products and tools based on your needs with Microsoft's support for:
Support articles with instructions on how to use and configure the tools can be found in the Microsoft Support Hub (opens in a new window).
Reading Tools
Immersive Reader (opens in a new window) - customise your content to support your reading and writing. This tool is available in Microsoft Office 365 products, including Word, OneNote and Outlook.
Focus Mode (opens in a new window) - minimise distractions so you can focus on the task at hand.
Read Aloud (opens in a new window)- listening to your document can provide many benefits, including helping with proofreading and supporting your comprehension and learning.
Translation (opens in a new window)- change content into your preferred language using the translator tool available in a range of Microsoft Office 365 products including Word and Edge.
Voices and Languages
Windows users
Windows has a range of voices and languages available for you to use with the various reading tools. Browse the list in the text-to-speech languages support article (opens in a new window) to see what's available and follow the instructions to install your preferred voice options.
Mac users
Apple has a range of voices available for you to use with the various reading tools. Follow the instructions on the Apple Support article (opens in a new window) to see what's available and try them out.
'Study smarter with Microsoft learning tools' Western Fair August 2021 session extract - Immersive Reader.
Troy Waller from Microsoft Education Australia jumped online to share with Western students what he sees as the benefits of Microsoft's learning tools. Watch the extract below to learn about what he classes as the 'crowning jewel' of these tools - Immersive Reader.
Reading tools demonstrations.
Browse the playlist to see the various reading tools in action across different programs like Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Edge.
'Study smarter with Microsoft learning tools' Western Fair August 2021 session extract - Dictate.
Troy Waller from Microsoft Education Australia jumped online to share with Western students what he sees as the benefits of Microsoft's learning tools. Watch the extract below where Troy discusses and demonstrates the writing tool he thinks can have the biggest impact on writing habits for uni students - Dictate.
Writing tools demonstrations.
Browse the playlist to see the various writing tools in action across different programs like Word, Powerpoint, Outlook and Edge.
Keyboard shortcuts aren't technically a Learning Tool, but they're still really helpful. Learn about some of the most helpful shortcuts through the videos below.
