New for the Microsoft 365 and Office MindTap Collections

  • Digital badges showcase students’ achievements, milestones and competency of skills.
  • Updates reflect Microsoft 365 features, including Accessibility Checker.
  • Updated screenshots, SAM Tasks and Projects reflect Microsoft 365 and Office 2021 updates, and can be used with Office 2024 applications.
  • “Getting Started with Generative AI and Ethics” module provides an overview of Generative AI from a foundational level.
  • “Embracing Change in Technology” module provides students with a brief introduction on computer skills to keep pace with technology changes.
  • “CoPilot” module provides an overview of tasks, like writing, editing, creating PowerPoint presentations and Excel workbooks, while also providing options for describing features, prompts, discussing copyright, privacy and different versions of CoPilot.

Updates to Microsoft Applications

New features for Excel:

  • XLOOKUP (included in Office 2021 and in 365)
  • LET function, Dynamic Arrays
  • Spilling
  • Accessibility Checker
  • Updated Draw tab
  • Co-authoring to collaborate with colleagues on workbooks
  • Threaded Comments for discussions about data
  • Notes to annotate data

New features for PowerPoint:

  • Display comments in contextual view or in the Comments pane.
  • Use updated search feature.
  • Record and save a presentation, including digital inking.
  • Utilize the Speaker Coach feature, which uses AI to improve presentation skills, giving feedback on use of sensitive and filler words, pitch and pace.

New features for Word:

  • New focus mode
  • Updated collaboration experience
  • Expanded search feature and voice options

New features for Access:

Completely updated projects utilize gapped Start and Solution files to ensure students use new, authentic files for each project from module to module. Module projects alternate between two sets of scenarios for expanded relevance and practicality.

Improved support for Mac OS users

MindTap Collections | SAM is Mac compatible with:

  • 95% of SAM Projects
  • 100% of SAM Trainings and Exams
  • 100% introductory-level textbook projects for Word, Excel and PPT

Support for students with Mac systems includes:

  • Assigned SAM Projects default to a PC or a MAC-based OS detection and are built into SAM, reducing frustration and potential errors when completing projects.
  • Getting Started with Mac OS module provides students with Mac-specific content, including running apps, accessing the web and managing files and folders (located under Operating Systems in the MindTap Learning Path). 
  • Introduction to Mac modules introduce students to each of the three Office applications (PowerPoint, Word and Excel), laying the groundwork for module-specific Mac supplemental guides. The goals of these modules are to:
    • Orient students to the interface using Mac screenshots (for example, ribbon/close/minimize/maximize buttons).
    • Define differences between PC and Mac versions and explain Mac alternatives (for example, no Mini toolbar – use commands in the Font group).
    • Provide necessary steps through customization to align with PC defaults (for example, show group names).
    • Provide visually rich reference for performing tasks that differ on Mac with Mac screenshots (for example, Backstage view-related tasks such as Save As, Printing and Info/properties).
    • Summarize Mac alternatives that will be encountered frequently as support for the module specific guides (for example, right-click equates to CTRL-click).
    • Direct students to sources of help within the interface.
    • Give context for any summaries of feature differences.
    • Direct students to sources of help within the interface.
    • Give context for any summaries of feature differences.