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Microsoft Copilot

Overview

Copilot is Microsoft’s AI assistant. It is built on GPT-4 and GPT-5. Copilot is built with the same security, privacy, and compliance standards as other Microsoft products. VCU’s licensed access to Copilot is approved for Category 2 data and ensures that your prompts and Copilot’s responses are:

  • Not available to other customers
  • Not used to train or improve any third-party products or services (such as OpenAI models)
  • Not used to train or improve Microsoft AI models

Getting Started

Visit go.vcu.edu/copilot and log in with your VCU credentials. You may be prompted to authenticate with Duo Mobile.

Important Update

As of November 2024 the Copilot app integration and file upload features no longer work for all VCU accounts. Microsoft now requires OneDrive to be enabled for these features, and OneDrive is not currently available for all VCU users.

Start Experimenting

Here are a few simple ways to begin using Copilot in your daily work:
Start a conversation about a work task or project.
Review the first response as a draft, not a finished product.
Refine your request by adding details (context, goals, constraints, examples).

How to Interact with Copilot

You can engage with Copilot by typing or by voice input. Voice interaction allows you to think out loud and work hands‑free.

Use Copilot to Support Your Work Projects and Tasks

You don’t need to learn Copilot in advance—just bring it into the work you’re already doing. For example, it can help with:

  1. Brainstorming ideas and serving as a thought partner when starting a new project.
  2. Revising your syllabus or course materials to improve clarity, accessibility, and program alignment.
  3. Analyzing quiz or test questions for difficulty, scope, or potential confusion from a student perspective.
  4. Drafting or refining department communications, including announcements, meeting summaries, and newsletters.
  5. Reorganizing and revising documents to ensure they meet accessibility standards.
  6. Creating accessible long descriptions or alt text for charts, graphs, matrices, and other visuals.
  7. Creating or evaluating draft versions of procedures, FAQs, or documentation.

Getting the most out of Copilot

Refine Through Iteration

Don’t worry if the first response isn’t quite right—Copilot’s initial answer is just a starting point. Treat Copilot like a collaborative partner and go back‑and‑forth in conversation.

Always review Copilot’s output for accuracy and alignment with your goals.

Ask Follow‑Up Questions to Improve the Output

Use targeted follow‑up questions to guide Copilot toward clearer, more accurate, and more relevant responses. Try questions like:

  1. Can you tailor this to my discipline, level, or audience?
  2. What have I missed?
  3. Rewrite this to be more clear, concise, or student‑friendly.
  4. Check this for accessibility.
  5. Give me three alternatives.
  6. Give me 10 questions someone might ask after reading this?
  7. How would this look if the constraints changed (e.g., larger class size, shorter time frame, different tools)?
  8. Can you explain your reasoning?

Provide Strong Context for Better Results

Copilot performs best when you include context about the task, audience, or constraints. 

Example prompt:

Generate two problem‑solving activities for a first‑year engineering course with 120 students. The topic is projectile motion, and students struggle most with decomposing vectors. Include one activity suitable for a large lecture hall and one that can be completed in small groups. Include process steps and provide scaffolding for each step.

What Makes a Good Prompt?

Tips for Writing Effective Prompts in Copilot

Limitations

VCU’s Copilot is limited to the web interface, so it does not integrate directly into Office 365. In addition, file uploads, Copilot Apps, and agent creation are not supported. Also, Copilot cannot read content from your computer or shared drives, so you’ll need to paste relevant excerpts directly in the chat.

Responsible AI Use

VCU Guidelines for the use of generative AI tools

VCU Policy: Acceptable Use of Generative AI Technology

Resources

A Guide to AI at VCU

VCU Teaching and Learning: Gen AI & Teaching & Learning

Microsoft Using Copilot in Education

Troubleshooting and Support

If Copilot doesn’t respond or seems “stuck”

  • Refresh the browser tab or restart the conversation.
  • Make sure you’re logged in with your VCU credentials.

If voice input isn’t working

  • Keep the Copilot tab active and allow microphone access when prompted.
  • Check that your browser or device microphone isn’t muted.

If Copilot can’t access files or context

  • Remember! file uploads and certain integrations require OneDrive, which is not currently enabled for all VCU accounts.
  • Paste key excerpts or descriptions directly into the chat as a workaround.

Where to Get Help

VCU IT Support Center: help with login, access issues, browser support

Conclusion

Use Copilot for all your work projects and tasks. It will shorten your work time and strengthen the materials you create. Explore!