When REI reconsidered plans to move to a large, new campus, employees embraced a hybrid work strategy. For the 15,000 employees at the company, moving to Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams not only provided them with more flexible work options, but also allowed them to embrace their core values of protecting and engaging with nature.

REI’s new hybrid work strategy also helps the company keep employees off the road, boost sustainability efforts, and allows leaders to expand hiring to a larger geographic region, thus maintaining its strong culture of collaboration.

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As organizations around the world make the definitive shift from remote to hybrid work, one thing is clear, employees want autonomy of when and where work gets done, and they are willing to go to great lengths to obtain it.

With features like AI-powered active speaker tracking, multiple video streams, and people recognition, Microsoft Teams aids businesses in replicating in-office culture and connection, even for the most remote of workers. Offering employees, the structure and flexibility to work securely from anywhere.

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The way in which employees approach work has forever been changed. According to The 2022 Work Trend Index, the modern worker values flexibility, personal well-being, and a healthy work-life balance. Modern talent also wants to know their job has meaning and purpose, as indicated by a dramatic shift in their “worth-it” equation.

Organizations that embrace hybrid work and invest in the technologies specifically designed for this environment will be able invest in talent development programs that foster a culture of growth and sense of purpose.

New innovations like Microsoft Teams are specifically designed to offer employees choice and desired flexibility. We can help.

Learn more.

The greatest challenge that leaders face in the new hybrid work reality is the loss of meaningful in-person connection.

Can Microsoft Teams provide the digital equivalent of the “hallway” conversation?

According to the Microsoft 2022 Work Trend Index, “Unscheduled, ad hoc calls have risen 8% in the past two years and now make up 64% of all Teams meetings. And meetings under 15 minutes now make up a majority of all meetings (60%) and are increasing more than any other meeting length.”

Microsoft Teams allows every employee to feel connected regardless of where they call work.

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The highly interactive technologies embedded in Microsoft Teams make virtual connections more natural, engaging, and ultimately, more human. By providing one central location where brainstorming, meeting, calling, and instruction happens, work can be streamlined allowing more time for connection and innovation.

Learn how Kent State University is using Microsoft Teams to help students and faculty feel more connected and included.

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Whilst helping someone with their start-up I came across this excellent deal from GoDaddy. This will also be very useful for sole traders out there looking to step up and have a professional email address instead of an @gmail, @outlook or @notyourcompany.

Send me an email and I’ll give you the Promo Code.

You get the following:

• 1 x Free Domain, for duration of your hosting
  • (usually $17.95 for 1st year, with discounts)
• 1 x WordPress Website Hosting and tools for customisation
• 1 x Free SSL Certificate for your site, for the duration of your hosting
  • (usually $125/year, for 1st year)
• 1 x Free Business email (email only on Office / Microsoft 365)
• Website Backup protection
• Automatic daily malware scans for website

• The usual discounted* Price $119.41 for the first year.
• Price with Promo Code $26.27 for the first year.

I’ve not found anything cheaper, and if you do, you should buy it!

Full disclosure: I do not work for GoDaddy, I won’t benefit if you take up this deal, I do however use GoDaddy for my own domain registration. I don’t know how long this will be available.

https://www.godaddy.com/en-au/hosting/wordpress-hosting

Old English tæcan (past tense tæhte, past participle tæht) “to show, point out, declare, demonstrate,” also “to give instruction, train, assign, direct; warn; persuade,” from Proto-Germanic *taikijan “to show” (source also of Old High German zihan, German zeihen “to accuse,” Gothic ga-teihan “to announce”), from PIE root *deik- “to show, point out.” Related to Old English tacen, tacn “sign, mark”.

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There has recently been a large uptake in educators, assistants and tutors requesting help with setting up their own services. We have been able to help with the following resources from the three largest players in the space. If you are considering, or have already started your own service, please consider looking at the resources, most of which is free for you.

Microsoft

Digital Learning Tools from Microsoft Education

Improve reading and writing for all learners—regardless of age or ability—with proven techniques from Microsoft Learning Tools. Watch video (in English).

https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/education/products/learning-tools

Make the most of powerful Learning Tools

Level the playing field with better access to learning materials, support for important learning processes, and the non-cognitive skills students need for college and career success.

Download ebook from Microsoft’s site

MICROSOFT LEARN – Educator Center

Dive deep into learning with interactive lessons, earn professional development hours, get certifications, and find programs that help meet your goals.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-au/learn/educator-center/

Apple

Teach and learn. From any distance. Resources to help schools, teachers, and parents create engaging learning experiences at home.

https://www.apple.com/education/k12/learning-from-home

Apple Professional Learning Virtual Conferences – Online

Explore helpful resources, practice new skills, and reflect on ways Apple technology can support great learning and teaching. Hosted by Apple Professional Learning Specialists, these hands-on sessions are offered twice daily — Tuesday through Thursday — and run for approximately 60 minutes.

https://events.apple.com/content/events/us_education/us/en/default.html

Google

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Resources teachers can use today

Explore resources and tools created by Google to inspire creativity, encourage hands-on learning, and equip your students with digital skills.

https://edu.google.com/intl/ALL_au/teaching-resources

Empowering educators and supporting lifelong learning with free, online training for the classroom

https://edu.google.com/intl/ALL_au/teacher-center/training

Find free resources and technology tools made for teachers

https://edu.google.com/intl/ALL_au/teacher-center/resources

Getting started with Google Classroom

Learn how to use Classroom to manage coursework, organize assignments, boost collaboration, and foster better communication. Get started today with resources, tips, and tricks from the educator community.

https://edu.google.com/intl/ALL_au/teacher-center/products/classroom/

with LinkedIn Learning, you can:

• Access 16,000+ expert-led courses,  in areas such as business, technology, languages, music, art, photography and more.
• Receive course recommendations tailored to you
• Use project files and quizzes to practice while you learn
• View courses anytime on your computer or phone

but LinkedIn Learning costs $50 / month?

That’s where this post will help. There are several public libraries that offer access to the entire LinkedIn Learning library for free! All you need is a membership to your local library and then access it through there!

tell me more…

Not only can you access the training whilst at the library, you can also access the training on your phone, tablet or computer from anywhere in Australia! I’ll cover the process for accessing LinkedIn Learning if you live in Queensland, as the whole state is covered under the agreement between the State Library of Queensland and LinkedIn.

1. Go to the SLQ website, hover on Research & Collections, then click on eresources

• Scroll down the page until you see LinkedIn Learning, and click on the button with the same name.

* you can also head there directly by clicking here

• Then simply click on the Start Learning button

SLQ have also provided an extensive FAQ list that will help you get going if you have questions.

If you know your library card number OR in SLQ’s case your username and password, you can follow this link and that will take you directly to LinkedIn Learning!

what about me?

OK, so you’re not lucky enough to live in QLD or have a SLQ membership. What now? There is a list of other libraries that offers LinkedIn Learning which I’ve included below. You should check out their eresources pages, or alternatively call your librarian, they really are fantastic people and they will help you get access.

New South Wales

• Wollongong City Library
• Blacktown Library
• Northern Beaches Library
• Georges River Library

South Australia

You’re covered by Libraries of SA so similar to QLD everyone can get access!

Western Australia

• City of Perth Library
• City of South Perth Library

Northern Territory, Australian Capitol Territory

Sorry guys, I’ve not been able to find any at libraries in the territories, best to contact your local librarian and ask them to subscribe

Victoria

• Melbourne City Libraries
• Casey Cardinia Library
• Eastern Regional Libraries
• Yarra Libraries
• City of Melton Library
• Hume Council Libraries
• Moreland City Council Library
• Wyndham City Libraries
• Glen Eira Libraries
• Frankston City Library
• Kingston Council Library
• Goldfields Libraries

Thanks for reading and I hope this helps you or someone you know!

itee.com.au