AI @ SHSU - Collaborate Using Copilot in Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Copilot in Teams is your AI-powered meeting assistant. It can record and transcribe meetings, summarize discussions, highlight decisions and action items, and even suggest follow-ups or draft emails and tasks. Copilot transforms meetings from passive conversations into actionable, searchable records, saving time and improving clarity.

Let’s explore how Copilot can transform your collaboration experience and discover which version suits your needs best!

Microsoft Copilot Chat (Free) Features & Benefits

  • Open Access: Available to anyone with a Microsoft account. No subscription is required.
  • General Knowledge Assistance: Get quick answers, advice, and summaries based on publicly available information.
  • Idea Generation: Brainstorm teaching strategies, classroom engagement tips, and more.
  • Content Drafting: Receive help writing emails, guides, and posts not tied to institutional files.

How to Use Microsoft Copilot Chat (Free)

  1. Access Copilot: Open Microsoft 365 apps (Word, Outlook, etc.) or go to copilot.microsoft.com.
  2. Type Your Request: In the Copilot pane or chat box, enter a prompt (see sample prompts below).
  3. Review and Edit: Copilot generates a response. Review, edit, or ask for further changes as needed.
  4. Copy or Insert: Insert the final text into your document or email.

Example Prompts:

  • “Draft a welcome email for new employees.”
  • “Rewrite this paragraph to sound more formal.”
  • "Summarize the attached research article in 100 words."
  • “Suggest creative ice-breakers for online faculty meetings.”

Microsoft 365 Copilot (Licensed) Premium Features

  • Deep Integration: Connects securely to your university’s Microsoft 365 environment—Teams, Outlook, SharePoint, and OneDrive.
  • Personalized Insights: Summarizes your actual meetings, chats, and documents for context-rich support.
  • Automated Content Creation: Drafts emails and reports using real institutional data and templates.
  • Effortless Search: Instantly locate files, emails, and conversations relevant to your projects.
  • Data Security & Compliance: Operates within your organization’s privacy policies and security standards.

    How to Use Microsoft 365 Copilot (Licensed) Features

    1. Ensure You’re Signed In: Log in with your university credentials to access licensed capabilities in Microsoft 365 apps.
    2. Find the Copilot Button: Look for the Copilot icon in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, or Teams.
    3. Select a Document or Meeting: Open the file or meeting you want Copilot to work with.
    4. Enter Advanced Prompts: Request in-depth summaries, analyses, or automations (see sample prompts).
    5. Apply the Suggestions: Review Copilot’s outputs, make edits, and save or share with your team.

    Example Prompts:

    • “Analyze last semester's enrollment data and highlight trends.”
    • “Draft a message to all staff about the new research funding guidelines and attach the official memo.”
    • “Find all OneDrive files related to student orientation.”
    • “List recent emails from the IT department regarding security updates.”

    Learn More

    Microsoft Copilot was used in the creation of this content. Copilot suggested content and provided editing feedback for the final product.