Depending on how they are used, AI tools can interfere with your learning and violate the academic code of conduct if used in courses where they are not allowed. Many of these tools are built into your Normandale Office 365 account or other common coursework resources.

This page helps you recognize where these tools appear, so you can avoid using them when they are prohibited.

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If you are permitted to use AI-enabled tools like those listed below, be sure to do the following:

• check your work to verify that you understand what was generated and that it is accurate
• disclose that you used the tools and how (i.e., Copilot was used to ...)
• cite any specific content you are paraphrasing or quoting

For guidance, consult the Normandale Library’s online citation guide, or contact the Academic Support Centers.
 

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Table of Contents:

• Microsoft Copilot
• Microsoft Copilot Embedded in Word
• Microsoft Copilot Embedded in PowerPoint
• Microsoft Copilot Embedded in Excel
• AI Tools Embedded in Internet Search Engines
• Warning: Common Third-party Writing Assistance Tools with Generative AI Capabilities

 

Microsoft Copilot:

As a Normandale student, you have access to a licensed version of Microsoft Copilot, which securely protects your data when you log in with your StarID credentials in the following ways:

• Through the Microsoft Edge or Chrome Browser at m365.cloud.microsoft
  • When prompted, enter starID@go.minnstate.edu and password
• Through your Microsoft 365 OneDrive Account on D2L via the cloud icon:

• Select the “waffle” icon in the upper-left column of your page to reveal your Office 365 tools, including Microsoft Copilot.
• Select the icon for Microsoft Copilot.

• On the landing page of Microsoft Copilot, there are a variety of ways to prompt Copilot and generate content after ensuring instructor permission.

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Microsoft Copilot in Word Documents:

The Copilot generative AI tool is present in Office 365 Word in the following ways:

• the starred pencil icon near the cursor (or by pressing the Alt key + i):

• the Copilot icon in the upper-right side of the document, which opens the Copilot chat

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Microsoft Copilot Embedded in PowerPoint Presentations:

The Copilot generative AI tool in Office 365 PowerPoint is activated in these ways:

1. Selecting the “shooting star” button in the upper-left side of the presentation draft
   
2. Selecting an action from the dropdown menu, such as “Create a new presentation.”
   
3. Using the chat feature to generate content:
   

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Microsoft Copilot Embedded in Excel:

The Copilot generative AI tool in Office 365 Excel is activated by selecting the Copilot icon in the upper-right side of the Excel document, which opens the chat feature.

Clicking the “Allow editing” option in the chat feature allows the ability to create Excel sheets and generate content for them.

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AI Tools Embedded in Internet Search Engines:

Internet search browsers like Google Chrome (shown below) have AI built into them, which offer customized, summarized content for search queries.

You can also take the extra step to search in AI Mode to get more customized responses.

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Warning: Common Third-Party Writing Assistance Tools with Generative AI Capabilities

Some commonly known applications advertised as writing assistance tools—such as Grammarly and QuillBot—can generate content and may even come in the form of browser extensions that embed themselves into software and D2L Brightspace. 

Since these tools are not secure, they do not honor data privacy like Microsoft Copilot does (when you access it with your campus StarID credentials).  Therefore, students should avoid using them—especially since they might interfere with your learning, limit your instructor’s ability to accurately assess your learning, and violate your instructor’s course policies.