Using CoPilot
Available as of the 18th March 2024
At the University of Lincoln we have an AI tool called CoPilot (Microsoft) which is now available to all students to use within their studying. Before using Copilot we would recommend reading the Universities guidance on using AI, especially related to assessments. The University of Lincoln guidance can be found here: Intro to Generative AI – Learning at Lincoln (web).
Copilot works with the ChatGPT – 4 engine and DALLE-3 image creator to create text and image based responses based on your input. Copilot can use these text and image outputs to help support you in your learning by:
- Finding and summarising information, such as information from a webpage or journal article to help you grasp the concepts within.
- Generating ideas, for example: business case creation, project management, campaign ideas, presentation support…
- Asking and clarifying understanding of key topics.
- Facilitating discussions to help deep dive into topics.
- Curating practice test questions to test knowledge taught.
- Act as a writing coach to advise for improvements.
For frequently asked questions please visit our FAQ (internal link)
How do I use Copilot?
We have created a short video to demonstrate how you can access and use Copilot. However, it can be accessed in two ways. To ensure your data is protected please sign in using your University of Lincoln username and password.
Method 1: Edge browser
Microsoft’s Edge browser has the Copilot tool built-in. This can be accessed by using the Co-pilot logo in the top right hand corner of the browser window.
Method 2: Copilot Website
Visit the Copilot website, Microsoft | Copilot | Web (external). Here you will be asked to sign in using your University of Lincoln username and password.
Key benefits of Copilot
- Uses the ChatGPT-4 engine to respond to text queries and DALLE-3 for images, meaning you are getting access to higher quality AI’s without paying for it.
- Data is not used to teach the AI.
- Chat data is not saved, once you close the browser window or start a new topic, the data is deleted.
- Your data is protected (please make sure you are logged in first).
FAQ
To help you with some commonly asked questions, we have provided links to key guidance and technical support. If you are unable to use the tool or have technical difficulties, please contact dt@lincoln.ac.uk to talk to the helpdesk team.
The Edge browser is built into all Windows machines as standard. However, if the programme has been removed or you would like to download it for a mac os x system, please follow the link below:
If you can’t access Copilot, we would recommend contacting digital technologies. They will be able to support you with the login process and check on your University credentials.
You can contact digital technologies via this email address:
To support you with using Copilot more effectively we would recommend looking at the following pages:
How do I ask Copilot a question? | Web (internal)
Using AI for learning | Web (internal)
These pages will highlight key ideas for prompt engineering and give you some ideas on how Copilot can be used to support you with studying.
Copilot is designed to help you create two types of output:
Text-based – Copilot uses ChatGPT to give you text based outputs. These can be formatted and altered based on the prompts you have given. Be aware that you are able to copy the responses given to you by Copilot to use within wider programmes.
Images – Copilot uses the DALLE-3 engine to create images based on the prompts that you have provided. You will be able to save the images created by Copilot by selecting the image, right clicking and choosing ‘save image as’.
If you don’t want to use the edge browser then you can access Copilot using the web address: Microsoft | Copilot | Web (external). Here you will be asked to sign in using your University of Lincoln username and password.
This should be accessible via any browser.
When access Copilot, either via the web or using the Copilot add-on, it may sometimes log you into an existing account. If you are accidently logged into a non-university account you should:
- Select the login name in the top-right hand corner
- choose sign out
- Login using your University username and password.
You will know if you have signed in correctly as your email address will show on the main webpage, and the protected logo will be visible no matter which route you choose to access Copilot.
Before reaching out for support, a simple option which can support with this is to clear your history and cache on the edge browser. The instructions for how to do this can be found below:
- Select the three verticle dots in the right hand corner of the browser.
- Choose ‘clear browsing data’
- Choose the settings are suitable and select the blue ‘clear data’ button.
Try relaunching the browser to see if this has solved the issue. If issues still persist, we would recommend contacting dt@lincoln.ac.uk who will be able to support you with this query.