AI Fundamentals with Prompt-a-Thon: Microsoft Copilot Pro Edition
Course Duration
1 Day
Audience
Employees of federal, state and local governments; and businesses working with the government.
Prerequisites
No prior AI experience required. A Microsoft 365 account with Copilot Pro access is needed for the afternoon lab exercises.
Course Description
This hands-on course introduces AI concepts and practical prompting skills using Microsoft Copilot Pro. The morning covers how AI works, what makes Copilot intelligent, and the prompting principles that drive great results. The afternoon is a Prompt-a-Thon using Copilot Pro across the Microsoft 365 suite — Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and more. Students practice prompts for their actual job roles and leave with skills and confidence to use Copilot Pro effectively every day.
Learning Objectives
- Define AI in practical terms and describe how it powers Microsoft Copilot
- Explain how Copilot Pro integrates across the Microsoft 365 ecosystem
- Demonstrate effective prompting techniques in Copilot Pro
- Apply Copilot Pro to document drafting, data analysis, and presentations
- Write role-specific prompts tailored to your job function
- Distinguish between Copilot and Copilot Pro features and capabilities
- Complete a Prompt-a-Thon with scenario-based exercises across Microsoft 365 apps
Course Outline
Welcome and Course Overview
- Instructor introductions and learning goals
- Overview of Copilot Pro and the day
Understanding AI and Copilot
- What is Artificial Intelligence?
- How large language models work
- What makes Microsoft Copilot intelligent
- The Copilot safety and compliance model
Prompting Fundamentals
- Anatomy of an effective prompt
- Context, instruction, and examples
- Common prompting mistakes and fixes
Copilot Pro Across Microsoft 365
- Copilot in Word
- Copilot in Excel
- Copilot in PowerPoint
- Copilot in Outlook and Teams
Prompt-a-Thon
- Role-based scenario challenges
- Group competitions and peer review
- Top prompt showcase
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Microsoft Copilot Pro?
Microsoft Copilot Pro is a paid subscription that unlocks advanced Copilot features within Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams — including AI-powered document drafting, data analysis, meeting summaries, and more. It builds on the free Copilot Chat experience with deeper integration across the Microsoft 365 suite.
How is this course different from the Copilot Chat edition?
Both courses share the same AI Fundamentals + Prompt-a-Thon format. The Copilot Chat edition focuses on Copilot Chat as a standalone AI assistant. The Copilot Pro edition goes deeper into the full Microsoft 365 app suite — Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. Choose based on which tool your team has access to.
Is this available as live remote online training?
Yes. IT Dojo delivers this course live remote online or on-site. Contact IT Dojo to schedule for your team or agency.