Faculty and staff wishing to access Generative AI can use the Microsoft Copilot tool that is part of Drexel’s Office 365 license. This article provides general directions and examples for using Copilot. Students also have access to Copilot, but that is not the focus of this article.
Advantages of Copilot
Microsoft Copilot has the following advantages:
- Access to ChatGPT version 4 without the need for a paid OpenAI ChatGPT subscription
- Access to other AI features such as image generation (through DALL-E3)
- Information provided to the Copilot chatbot remains protected under our Microsoft license (whereas info provided to ChatGPT free or paid versions is retained by OpenAI for potential addition to its large language model)
- Copilot should not encounter capacity interruptions like the free version of ChatGPT sometimes does during periods of high usage
Copilot is the only university-wide-approved generative AI platform at Drexel. However, Copliot may give different results than using OpenAI’s ChaptGPT via a subscription. Due to restrictions for protected types of information, university employees (faculty/staff) wishing to use ChatGPT directly with university data are instructed to get that usage approved through Drexel’s Third-Party Risk Management. Use the “Vendor Information Gathering form” found in the upper right of their webpage.
How to Access Copilot
To access Microsoft Copilot, follow these steps:
- Visit copilot.microsoft.com in a web browser
- Click the Sign in button
- Type in your full @drexel.edu email address and click the Next button
- If prompted, choose the option for “Work or school account”
- Enter your Drexel account password if prompted. You may also need to authenticate with your Multifactor Authentication (MFA) method.
To ensure you are using the protected version of Copilot, look for the green Protected shield in the upper right corner. Once you are logged into Copilot, you’ll see a textbox at the bottom of the page that is labeled “Ask me anything.” Type your prompts into that box and press enter to submit them. See what prompt ideas you can come up with. Some sample tasks are listed below.
There is also a Copilot mobile app for both Android and iOS. Visit Copilot’s download page for links to the respective app stores. Login using your Drexel credentials to get access to the most features.
Sample Copilot Tasks
The Copilot webpage offers a few suggestions of tasks to try out, but here are some additional examples of ways you can use prompts in your teaching and planning. Click on each Prompt below to see the associated Copilot results.
- Prompt: What is a good ice breaker activity for the first day of a college class in microeconomics?
Copilot Results:
On the first day of your microeconomics college class, consider using an engaging icebreaker activity to help students connect and feel comfortable. Here are a couple of options:
A. Economic Themes Scavenger Hunt:- Instead of the typical “get-to-know-you” questions, encourage students to explore economic themes. Provide a list of economic concepts such as scarcity, interdependence, incentives, and gains from trade.
- Ask students to find peers who have illustrated these themes through their choices. For example, they can identify classmates who have traded fruit for candy at lunch or prioritized studying over playing video games.
B. Three Statements About Me:- Distribute 3x5 cards to each student at the beginning of the class. Have them write their name and three statements about themselves.
- During class time, read out the clues from the cards (without revealing the names) and let the rest of the group guess which student is being described. Make sure each statement is used only once. These activities not only break the ice but also introduce economic concepts in a fun and interactive way. Enjoy your first day of microeconomics class!
Note that results often include useful hyperlinks to external resources, although some suggested links may simply be advertisements.
- Prompt: Give me an image of a friendly cartoon Dragon with navy blue and yellow as the primary colors.
Copilot Results:
Sample Copilot-generated image results
- Prompt: Write a multiple-choice test question that assesses the student’s basic knowledge of compound interest.
Copilot Results:
Certainly! Here’s a multiple-choice test question related to compound interest:
Question: Which of the following best describes compound interest?
Answers:
- A. Interest earned only on the initial principal amount.
- B. Interest earned on both the initial principal and any previously earned interest.
- C. Interest earned only on the most recent interest payment.
- D. Interest earned on the total amount deposited.
The Correct Answer is B. Interest earned on both the initial principal and any previously earned interest.
Additional information for the learner: Compound interest is the interest that accumulates not only on the initial principal but also on any interest previously earned. It’s a powerful concept in finance and investments!