Before beginning, install the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device of choice. This may be the student's phone or a parent's phone. Hockaday suggests that if a student has their own phone, use that.

For more information about downloading and installing the app for the Apple App Store or Android Store.

1. Microsoft Authenticator

Sign in to www.office.com on the student's laptop. If you are already signed in, sign out and sign back in. You should receive the following prompt asking for more information when logging in.

Select Next and a prompt to get started with the Microsoft Authenticator will appear.

Open the Microsoft Authenticator app on the phone chosen, and select to allow notifications (if prompted).

In your APP, select Add account (+) the upper-right of the authenticator, and then select Work or school account.

Now on the COMPUTER, select Next.

The Scan the QR code page appears. Scan this with your App.

Using your phone scan the provided code with the Microsoft Authenticator app QR code reader.

Note: If the QR code reader can't read the code, you can select the Can't scan the QR image and manually enter the code and URL into the Microsoft Authenticator app.

Approve the notification in the Microsoft Authenticator app, and then select Next.

Note: Once this is set up, you can choose to use other methods in the future (text or email), but this initial authenticator setup cannot be skipped.

2. Text Authentication

On the Phone set up page, choose whether you want to receive a text message or a phone call, and then select Next. In this example we're using text messages, so you must use a phone number for a device that can accept text messages. A text message is sent to your phone number. If you would prefer to get a phone call, the process is similar.