Random Acts of Connection – Small Ways to Foster Belonging in Everyday Life
On Building Community. "According to a study in Psychological Science, people who feel they belong to a community or group experience 30% less stress and loneliness, which positively impacts their overall health and emotional well-being." Belonging isn't solely about significant moments—it is also formed through small, daily interactions that remind individuals they are part of a larger community. Simple actions can create meaningful connections and improve someone's day. Here are some ways to practice random acts of connection: Start with a smile – A warm smile or friendly nod can make someone feel acknowledged. Give a genuine compliment – A kind word can positively impact someone's day. Engage in small talk – A brief conversation with a neighbor, barista, or coworker can create moments of connection. Invite inclusion – Notice someone new? Invite them into a conversation or shared activity. Express gratitude – A sincere “thank you” strengthens bonds and fosters appreciation. Connection is influential—when one makes the effort, others may follow. We are more the same as humans than we are different. What is one way you can foster belonging today? #RandomActsOfConnection #BelongingMatters #CuppaCommuniTea #MicrosoftCommunity 🍵 Today I am drinking a cuppa Darjeeling from Harney & Sons Fine Teas - Millerton, NY. "The Queen of Indian teas with earthy notes paired with citrus and fruit tones". A Fave.
Microsoft Power Women in Tech Award WINNER
Microsoft Power Women in Tech is a newly established award designed to highlight women in the tech industry who promote diversity and inclusion. The award spans Microsoft's partner network in Western Europe and one winner per country in 11 countries has been selected. In Sweden, the winner is Beatrice Silow, who works as Communications and Culture Manager at Nexer Group. A big and well-deserved congratulations to Sweden's winner - Beatrice Silow! Read the full article hereInclusive Classroom round up for Microsoft Education at ISTE 2019
Microsoft Education’s mission is to empower every student on the planet to achieve more. This mission is founded on inclusive principles and aims to enable 100% of all students. Built-in, mainstream, non-stigmatizing and free! Coming into ISTE, Microsoft Education is releasing a wave of updates for the Inclusive Classroom. Today’s round-up of new updates are grouped across reading, writing, math and communication.
Microsoft Education product news and announcement round up from October and November
Over the past two months, there have been a slew of new Microsoft Education product announcements, updates, and videos. We've tried to capture many of these in the list below. Please feel free to share these with other teachers, your school staff, and school IT Admins, and keep the feedback coming! What's new in EDU November 2017 https://educationblog.microsoft.com/2017/11/whats-new-in-edu-skypeathon-translator-minecraft/ October 2017: https://educationblog.microsoft.com/2017/10/whats-new-in-edu-hack-the-classroom-oregon-trail/ Office Teams For EDU major update: https://educationblog.microsoft.com/2017/11/teams-office-365-education-updates-november/ OneNote Staff Notebook - Collaboration Space permissions in Staff Notebooks: https://twitter.com/mtholfsen/status/937820901210406914 Class Notebook and Learning Tools Addin updates: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Education-Blog/Updates-for-OneNote-Class-Notebook-Addin-and-Desktop-Learning/ba-p/112773 "The Future of OneNote in Education" talk: https://aka.ms/onenoteconference2017 3rd party Learning Tools Study and student outcomes: https://educationblog.microsoft.com/2017/10/new-research-learning-tools-improves-reading-comprehension/ Word iPad Immersive Reader announcement: https://educationblog.microsoft.com/2017/10/new-research-learning-tools-improves-reading-comprehension/ Education Resources preview launch: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Education-Blog/Introducing-Education-Resources-a-source-of-Open-Educational/bc-p/119841#M60 LinkedIn Resume Assistant for Microsoft Word: https://blogs.office.com/en-us/2017/11/08/bringing-ai-to-job-seekers-with-resume-assistant-in-word-powered-by-linkedin/?eu=true New Whiteboard Preview: https://educationblog.microsoft.com/2017/12/microsoft-whiteboard-finally-arrives-in-preview/ Minecraft and Coding Minecraft Hour of Code: https://educationblog.microsoft.com/2017/11/minecraft-education-edition-hour-of-code-tutorial/ Deploy and Code in Minecraft: https://educationblog.microsoft.com/2017/11/deploy-code-in-minecraft/ Windows and Microsoft Edge Windows Fall Creators Update and Edge Read Aloud: https://blogs.windows.com/msedgedev/2017/10/17/edgehtml-16-fall-creators-update/ Windows EDU Blog on Future Source Report: https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2017/12/06/windows-pcs-see-strong-growth-edu-gaining-share-worldwide-us/ Inclusion in Action video series Andrew and Mitra - A mother witnesses her eight-year-old son with dyslexia read for the first time with the help of Microsoft Learning Tools Justin - A college student with athetoid cerebral palsy uses Office Online and his communication device to promote inclusivity and inspire others to do the same Veronica - A college student with low vision uses built-in accessibility in Office 365 and Windows 10 to create a perfect presentation on Sway—Microsoft’s digital storytelling app. Jack and Marisa - A blind teacher enables his students to create high-quality visual content with Office 365 Inclusive culture - Australia and New South Wales using Office 365
