Microsoft Learn for Educators Program FAQ

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What is Microsoft Learn for Educators?

Microsoft Learn for Educators takes the best of Microsoft Learn online learning paths and helps you to bring this and instructor-led training materials and resources from Microsoft into your courses. Eligible educators and faculty members at higher education institutions that offer accredited degree, diploma, certificate, or continuing or further education programs, such as colleges, universities, community colleges, polytechnics, and some STEM-focused secondary can access Microsoft ready-to-teach curriculum and teaching materials and resources aligned to industry-recognized Microsoft Certifications. Learn more about the Microsoft Learn for Educators program, here.

Who can join the Microsoft Learn for Educators program?

Eligible educators and faculty members at higher education institutions that offer accredited degree, diploma, certificate, or continuing or further education programs, such as colleges, universities, community colleges, polytechnics, and some STEM-focused secondary can access Microsoft ready-to-teach curriculum and teaching materials and resources aligned to industry-recognized Microsoft Certifications.

I am new to teaching cloud computing. Can I still teach Microsoft courseware?

Yes, you can! To prepare you for delivering cutting-edge technical instruction in your classes, the Microsoft Learn for Educators program offers you access to online learning paths, technical training sessions, as well as virtual educator prep sessions. These training opportunities will provide you with valuable information to ensure you deliver your courses incorporating Microsoft curriculum successfully. Microsoft Learn for Educators not only helps prepare you for course delivery, but it also helps you to access and leverage a wide variety of Microsoft tools and resources that will support you and your students. Find out more about our Training & Tools, here.

What is the difference between the Educational Institution and Individual Educator program options?

The Educational Institution program option is for academic institutions with multiple faculty members, two or more, interested in building their students' technical skills in various courses while establishing a relationship with Microsoft at the department, program, school, or institution level. The Educational Institution program option requires a Program Advisor – a person who serves as the primary administrative point of contact between the school and Microsoft for this program. They will be responsible for accepting the Business Terms of the program and administering the program at the institution.

The Individual Educators program option is designed for the individual educator who is looking to build their students’ technical skills independent of their Educational Institution.

Learn more about which program option is right for you.

How do I sign up?

Review our Sign up & access instructions section to see what option works better for you.

Why did I receive a rejection email from Microsoft Learn for Educators?

You must currently be a member of an accredited degree, diploma, certificate, or continuing/further education granting program with a valid institutional email address to be considered for the Microsoft Learn for Educators program. Refer to the email you received for a more specific reason you were not accepted at this time.

Make sure to follow steps on the Sign up & access instructions page.

Offerings

What Microsoft courses are offered as part of Microsoft Learn for Educators?

Currently, we offer the courses listed on our program page – Fundamentals courses and Advanced Role-Based (ARB) courses. We are always working on adding more courses and content to the program. Join our Teams community, read our newsletters, and/or reach out to your Microsoft Learn for Educators point of contact to ensure you are alerted to all new releases.

Will I get access to labs used in each course?

Educators are able to access free or discounted labs for Microsoft Learn for Educators Fundamentals and Advanced Role-Based courses they are teaching in which they will be certifying their students. For those participating in the Educational Institution program, your Program Advisor needs to accept this benefit on behalf of your institution before you can request labs via the Microsoft Learn for Educators Portal. Once accepted, educators at the institution will be notified and asked to indicate via their course details form for which Microsoft course the lab seats are needed—based upon the certification exam students will be taking, how many students in that class will need labs, and when the class will be taught so lab seats are provisioned at the right time. Individual Educators will need to do the same. Educators commit intent to certify students in the Microsoft credentials for which they are requesting labs. Please note that faculty can indicate that they will be having students sit for up to two exams related to a single class and thus receive labs to help prepare students for both of those certification exams.

Does my class need to finish Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) before moving on to other courses?

Fundamentals courses do not have pre-requisites. That said, Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) covers the full suite of Azure services and provides a strong foundation of knowledge from which to build upon. Some Advanced Role-Based (ARB) courses assume foundational knowledge of cloud computing. Please review the ARB course page for more information.

Is it a requirement that I am certified in order to teach courses?

Getting certified prior to teaching is not a requirement or prerequisite to teach Fundamentals or Advanced Role-Based curriculum. However, it is highly recommended that you become certified prior to teaching Microsoft Official Curriculum. The certification process will allow you to have a strong grasp of the material, the ability to answer technical content questions, and be a subject matter expert for your students. Microsoft Learn for Educators connects you with training opportunities to help you get certified and also offers free and discounted practice tests and certification exam vouchers when you are ready to get certified. You can find out more about the certification process on our Microsoft Learn for Educators program page.

Portal

Why do I need a Microsoft Account (MSA) if I have a work or school account?

If you use any Microsoft services (Office, Outlook, etc.), you have a Microsoft account (MSA). If you don't have an account yet, you can create one during the Microsoft Learn for Educators sign-in process. By signing up with your MSA, your account is tied to you rather than your work or school. Further, you will need an MSA to access the Microsoft Official Curriculum and teaching materials in the Learning Download Center.

Can I use my Microsoft Learn account to sign into the Microsoft Learn for Educators portal?

If your Microsoft Learn account is an MSA (not a work or school account), you can use it to sign into the Microsoft Learn for Educators portal. If it is not, follow the instructions to create an MSA and link it to your work/school account.

My institution has signed up for the Microsoft Learn for Educators program, but I still do not have access to my educator benefits.

When completing your educator profile on the Microsoft Learn for Educators portal, ensure you enter the complete mailing address of your institution. You must also provide an email address that uses your institution's domain (e.g. johndoe@uw.edu) when prompted for “School email.” Please note there is also a 24–72-hour window from the point of creating a profile in the Microsoft Learn for Educators Portal and the granting of access to teaching materials—you will receive a confirmation email when this happens. If you are still not seeing your benefits, please go to the “Help” link on the top left of the MSLE Portal to open a Support ticket.

How do I access content in the Learning Download Center?

Make sure you received a confirmation email from Microsoft Learn for Educators that you have been granted access to the Learning Download Center. You must use the same account that you used to sign into the Microsoft Learn for Educators portal to access the Learning Download Center. If you are still experiencing issues, please go to the “Help” link on the top left of the MSLE Portal to open a Support ticket.

Certification

What are the options for Educator Certification?

Microsoft Learn for Educators provides faculty members with free practice test and certification exam vouchers. You can find out more about the certification process on our Microsoft Learn for Educators program page. The free certification exam vouchers can be used in a few ways:

  1. Educators can locate a nearby Certiport Testing Center that administers Fundamentals certification exams (exam proctoring fees may apply). If Educators are using Advanced Role Based (ARB) exam vouchers they can go directly to Pearson Vue to administer the exam (exam proctoring fees may apply).
  2. Your institution can become a Certiport Testing Center and administer Fundamentals certification exams for your faculty and students. Watch this short video on how to become a Certiport Authorized Testing Center or find out more here. If you want to administer ARB certification exams for your faculty and students, you will need to set up a Pearson Testing Center. Find out more about how to become a Pearson Vue Testing Center.

What are the options for Student Certification?

Students need exam vouchers or access to an institution’s certification exam license to sit certification exams and use practice exams. Here are some options:

  1. Students can access free Fundamentals practice tests and certification exam vouchers. Exam pass/fail rate cannot be tracked by the school.
  2. Students can also access free Fundamentals certification exam vouchers by attending a Microsoft Virtual Training, where vouchers are given to attendees who complete the training. Exam pass/fail rate cannot be tracked by the school.
  3. With an Academic Volume License, customers can decide which students can sit the exam, manage exam scheduling and proctoring of the exam sessions, and obtain detailed reports on all proctored exam sessions. Certiport is the Microsoft exam delivery provider for Fundamentals exams. Pearson is the Microsoft exam delivery provider for both Fundamentals and Advanced Role-Based (ARB) exams. If your institution wants to issue certification exam vouchers to students, reach out to your Microsoft Learn for Educators point of contact, visit Certiport’s Academic Purchase Center (Fundamentals only) or Pearson Vue’s Microsoft Voucher Store (for Fundamentals and Advanced Role Based exam vouchers).

What are the options for scheduling Certification Exams for Students?

Once your students have certification exam vouchers, they can sit the exam in a few ways.

Fundamentals

  1. Students can locate a nearby Certiport Testing Center that administers Fundamentals certification exams (exam voucher & proctoring fees may apply).
  2. If your institution is provisioning Certiport exam vouchers, it can administer Fundamentals certification exams for students by becoming a Certiport Testing Center (CATC). Watch this short video on how to become a Certiport Authorized Testing Center or find out more here.
    1. By creating an Exam Group Number (EGN) for your class, you can also track your student’s Fundamentals certification exam results. Go here for step-by-step instructions on how to create an EGN.
    2. Consider also leveraging the Microsoft Fundamentals TestFest Prep Package to promote and track student certification exams.

Advanced Role-Based (ARB)

  1. Students can complete Advanced Role-Based (ARB) exams directly through Pearson Vue (exam voucher & proctoring fees may apply).
  2. Institutions can administer ARB certification exams by becoming a Pearson Vue Testing Center. Find out more about how to become a Pearson Vue Testing Center.

Teams Community

How will I benefit from joining the Microsoft Learn for Educators Teams community?

As part of the Microsoft Learn for Educators Teams community you will gain access to a Microsoft Teams-based online network of your fellow educators teaching Microsoft Learn for Educators materials and Microsoft experts. This community is your space to ask questions, provide feedback, discover best practices, and find support in using the content and teaching materials in impactful ways. You will have access to exclusive office hours through the Teams community. Announcements, special events, and exclusive training opportunities are also shared through the community. 

How can I join the Microsoft Learn for Educators Teams community?

Joining Microsoft Learn for Educators Teams community is optional. You can opt in while submitting your information through the Educator registration form or update the Profile tab in the MSLE Portal once you have joined MSLE. Once you have opted in, you will automatically be added to the Teams community as part of onboarding. You will now be able to access the Microsoft Learn for Educators Teams community using your school email.

I have been added to Microsoft Learn for Educators Teams community, but I am not able to access it. Where can I find help?

Once you have been added to the Microsoft Learn for Educators Teams community, access the Teams community through your school email. If you are unable to log in using the desktop app, try joining in through the web app. Select the Microsoft Education tenant to access this community. If you still can't access the Teams community navigate to the “Help” link on the top left of the MSLE Portal to open a Support ticket.

If I did not opt-in to be added to the Microsoft Learn for Educators Teams Community, can I now change my response and request to be added to the community?

Yes, you can change your response and get added to the Microsoft Learn for Educator Teams community. Go to your Profile in the MSLE Portal and select the “Yes” checkbox to be added to the Microsoft Learn Educator Teams community and select “Submit” to update your profile. Once you have made the change, you will automatically be added to the Teams community within three business days. You will additionally receive a confirmation notification along with the link to access the Teams community. If prompted, select Microsoft Education Tenant to join the community.

Training

What are the technical training sessions through Microsoft Virtual Training Days?

Participating in our deliveries of Microsoft official courses will accelerate your own learning journey. Microsoft Virtual Training Days are free, in-depth, virtual training events. This technically focused experience will enable you to go through a type of learning experience that you may be looking to create for students within your own courses. Learn more about Microsoft Virtual Training Days.

How do I sign up for Microsoft Virtual Training Days?

Visit the Microsoft Virtual Training Days events page. With weekly events to match every skill level, this is your opportunity to grow your technical skills as you prepare for getting certified and teaching your own courses. Many of the Microsoft Virtual Training Days events offer closed captioning in over 20 languages. Please visit the event registration page you are interested in attending to confirm what closed captioning languages are available.

What are the Virtual Educator Prep Sessions (VEPS)?

Virtual Educator Prep Sessions (VEPS) are resources for Educators to support you as you join the MSLE program and prepare to teach Microsoft curriculum. Learn more about our virtual educator preps sessions.   

Where can I access Virtual Educator Prep Session content?

Virtual Educator Prep Session learning paths can be accessed on the Microsoft Learn for Educators Training and Tools page. If you have trouble accessing, please go to the “Help” link on the top left of the MSLE Portal to open a Support ticket.

Labs and Credits

What are the options for labs and credits?

Educators are able to access free or discounted labs for Microsoft Learn for Educators Fundamentals and Advanced Role-Based courses they are teaching in which they will be certifying their students.

  • For those participating in the Educational Institution program, your Program Advisor needs to accept this benefit on behalf of your institution before you can request labs via the Microsoft Learn for Educators Portal. Once accepted, educators at the institution will be notified and asked to indicate via their course details form for which Microsoft course the lab seats are needed—based upon the certification exam students will be taking, how many students in that class will need labs, and when the class will be taught so lab seats are provisioned at the right time.
  • Individual Educators will need to do the same. Educators commit intent to certify students in the Microsoft credentials for which they are requesting labs. Please note that faculty can indicate that they will be having students sit for up to two exams related to a single class and thus receive labs to help prepare students for both of those certification exams.
  • You may also choose to use one of Microsoft’s Azure credit programs to access and utilize labs that are part of the Microsoft Official Curriculum. Students can access the $100 Azure for Students offer and Educators can utilize the $200 Free Azure Credits offer.

How many Azure credits are needed to complete courses?

We estimate the following credit amounts are needed to complete the following courses:

  • Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) uses $50 in credits or less
  • Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900) uses around $25 in credits
  • Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900) uses around $20 in credits or less

Important

These estimates assume that all Azure services are shut down when not in use.

Does the Microsoft Learn Sandbox require Azure credits?

No, all labs and sandbox experiences on Learn are completely free.

What's the difference between Azure Dev Tools for Teaching and an Azure for Students account?

Only academic institutions that have purchased a Volume Licensing (VL) agreement with Microsoft are able to enroll in Azure Dev Tools for Teaching. Through Azure Dev Tools for Teaching, all software is accessible through an Education Hub (built into the Azure portal) that houses all products and services available to academic users. Students don't need to sign up for an Azure subscription to access their software benefits when institutions activate the Azure Dev Tools for Teaching benefit. The $100 (USD) Azure for Students offer is targeted at students (not institutions) and provides access only to Azure credits (not software). Find more details on Azure Dev Tools for Teaching, here.