Microsoft Seeks Teachers for Pilot of Visual Studio Code for Education

Microsoft has introduced Visual Studio Code for Education, a new computer science instruction platform that takes students beyond beginner coding and teaches them tools used by professional developers. Microsoft is inviting educators to join the pilot program, try it out in their classrooms in the 2023–24 school year, and provide feedback.

VS Code for Education was built for students in grades 9 through 12 and beyond, the company said. Students can gain practical skills for future careers by learning to code with the program.

Educators are invited to try the first course on the new platform, Introduction to Python, which is designed to run a full academic year and does not require any prerequisites or prior coding knowledge, Microsoft said. It is currently offered only in English, and pilot participants are invited to request specific features if they have ideas for making the program better, the company said.

VS Code for Education includes a number of accessibility features, such as zoom and high contrast for visibility, keyboard-only navigation, and screen reader optimization. Most browsers are supported, and there are workarounds for non-support notifications, Microsoft said.

Educators accepted into the pilot program can also join the Educator Professional Learning Community. To qualify, educators must:

  • Be U.S.-based and teach the Introduction to Python course during the 2023-24 academic year;

  • Be willing to teach at least part of their computer science course with VS Code for Education; and

  • Be able to actively contribute to the Educator Professional Learning Community, including providing feedback on their and their students’ experiences with VS Code for Education, as well as participate in customer research calls with Microsoft and other pilot-participating educators.

The VS Code for Education pilot is free for educators accepted into the program, with no additional software or subscription required to participate, Microsoft said.

Learn more and apply to join the pilot at the VS Code for Education website.

 

About the Author

Kate Lucariello is a former newspaper editor, EAST Lab high school teacher and college English teacher.

Featured

  • hand signing an AI document

    More than 60 Organizations Sign White House Pledge to Support AI Education

    The White House has introduced the "Pledge to America’s Youth: Investing in AI Education," asking companies and organizations to commit to fostering early interest in AI technology, promoting AI literacy and proficiency among America's youth, and enabling comprehensive AI training for educators.

  • central cloud platform connected to various AI icons—including a brain, robot, and network nodes

    Linux Foundation Adopts Protocol for AI Agent Interoperability

    The Linux Foundation has announced it will host the Agent2Agent (A2A) protocol project, an open standard originally developed by Google to support secure communication and interoperability among AI agents.

  • red brick school building with a large yellow "AI" sign above its main entrance

    New National Academy for AI Instruction to Provide Free AI Training for Educators

    In an effort to "transform how artificial intelligence is taught and integrated into classrooms across the United States," the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), in partnership with Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic, and the United Federation of Teachers, is launching the National Academy for AI Instruction, a $23 million initiative that will provide access to free AI training and curriculum for all AFT members, beginning with K-12 educators.

  • Stylized illustration of an AI microchip connected to a laptop, server rack, and monitor with a chart

    HPE and Nvidia Expand AI Infrastructure Partnership

    Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Nvidia have announced an expanded partnership to accelerate enterprise artificial intelligence adoption through new modular infrastructure and turnkey AI platform offerings.