Learning Resources & References
A curated collection of links, tools, and references to help you continue learning about AI, Microsoft Copilot, and responsible AI use.
AI Tools & Platforms
Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft's AI assistant available across multiple platforms.
- Copilot Chat (Web): copilot.microsoft.com
- GitHub Copilot: Code assistance in VS Code and other IDEs
- Office Copilot: Built into Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
- Windows Copilot: Built into Windows 11
Other Useful AI Tools
- ChatGPT: chat.openai.com - General-purpose AI chat
- Claude: claude.ai - Advanced reasoning
- Perplexity AI: perplexity.ai - Research-focused with citations
- Gemini: Google's AI assistant
Writing & Academic Tools
- Grammarly: Grammar and style checking
- Zotero: Citation management with AI features
- Turnitin: Academic integrity checking
- Paraphrase.io: Rephrasing tool (use for understanding, not plagiarism)
Code-Specific Tools
- GitHub Copilot: VS Code, GitHub, IDEs
- Tabnine: IDE code completion
- CodePen: Interactive code learning
- LeetCode: Coding practice with AI hints
Microsoft Resources
Official Documentation
- Microsoft Copilot Support
- Microsoft Learn Platform - Free courses and training
- Microsoft AI - AI initiatives and products
- GitHub Copilot Documentation
Educational Initiatives
- Microsoft Education - Resources for students and educators
- Responsible AI Principles - Microsoft's ethical framework
- Microsoft Research - Latest AI research
Ethical AI & Academic Integrity Resources
Academic Integrity Organizations
- Turnitin: Academic integrity and AI detection
- International Center for Academic Integrity: ICAI
- Your Institution: Check your school's honor code and AI policy
AI Ethics Organizations
- Partnership on AI - Research on AI implications
- AI Now Institute - Social implications of AI
- Mozilla Internet Health - Privacy and AI
- MIT CSAIL - AI fairness and bias research
Bias & Fairness
- AIES Conference - AI ethics research
- Responsible AI Resources
- EEOC Guidelines - Discrimination awareness
Privacy & Data Protection
- FERPA (U.S. Student Privacy)
- GDPR Resources - Data protection
- Electronic Frontier Foundation - Digital privacy
Learning & Skill Development
Online Learning Platforms
- Coursera: AI and machine learning courses
- edX: University-level AI courses
- Khan Academy: Free learning resources
- YouTube Channels: 3Blue1Brown (AI concepts), Crash Course (broad topics)
Coding & Development
- Codecademy - Interactive coding
- FreeCodeCamp - Free web development
- LeetCode - Algorithm practice
- GitHub - Version control and portfolio
AI & Machine Learning Fundamentals
- DeepLearning.AI - Specialized AI courses
- Fast.ai - Practical AI for everyone
- TensorFlow - ML framework and tutorials
- PyTorch - ML framework with tutorials
Writing & Communication
- Purdue OWL - Writing resource
- Citation Styles - APA, MLA, Chicago
- UMD Writing Center - General writing help
Institutional Resources
Check Your School's Resources
Most colleges and universities now have resources on AI literacy and responsible use. Look for:
- AI policy documents in your course syllabi or student handbook
- Library resources on AI and research
- Writing center support for AI-assisted writing
- Office of Academic Integrity guidance
- IT department tutorials on available tools
- Faculty development workshops on AI in education
Key Concepts Glossary
AI & Prompting Terms
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Computer systems designed to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence.
Machine Learning
AI systems that learn and improve from experience without being explicitly programmed.
Large Language Model (LLM)
AI trained on massive amounts of text to understand and generate human language (like Copilot).
Prompt
Instructions or questions you give to an AI system to get it to do something.
Hallucination
When AI generates false or made-up information that sounds plausible.
Bias
When AI outputs reflect unfair prejudices from training data.
Token
A small piece of text (word or part of word) that AI systems process.
Inference
The process of AI analyzing input and generating a response.
About This Guide
Mission
This guide aims to empower faculty and students in higher education with knowledge about AI, Microsoft Copilot, and responsible AI use. We believe that understanding these tools is essential for success in modern education and beyond.
Who Created This?
This resource was developed by Charles Knurek to support the academic community in navigating AI responsibly and effectively.
Keeping This Guide Current
AI technology evolves rapidly. This guide is regularly updated to reflect new developments, features, and best practices. Last updated: January 2026.
Have Feedback or Suggestions?
We're always improving this guide. If you have suggestions, found an error, or want to contribute, please reach out.
Quick Reference: Key Takeaways
Prompting
Remember: Be specific, provide context, give examples, and iterate on responses for better results.
Copilot
Remember: Great tool for brainstorming, coding help, and revision. Always review outputs.
Ethics
Remember: Use as a tool, not a shortcut. Disclose when required. Verify information. Be transparent.
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