Learning Tools

Microsoft Simplifies Office 365 Pricing; Adding Teams Camera Content Focus

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 10/01/21

Microsoft has introduced simpler pricing for its education customers that are using versions of the software beyond the free Office 365 (A1).

Beginning on Nov. 1, 2021, the company will be offering a new education license for Microsoft 365 A1 that costs $38 per device for a six-year license. That edition includes all Office desktop applications, including Teams, as well as cloud management and Minecraft: Education Edition. This version enables schools and colleges to support student learning on desktop Office apps with or without an internet connection.

Microsoft will continue making Office 365 available free to users with an EDU email address on a per-user basis.

The company also announced that teachers and students will be able to share handwriting from a whiteboard or document using their laptop's camera via Microsoft Teams Content. The new feature is intended to help create a more inclusive classroom experience for each learner, whether they're in the room or joining online. That functionality will be available beginning in December.