Teams: Essential Functionality
In this guide:
About Teams
Microsoft Teams is a powerful teaching platform that can encourage student engagement and track participation. Teams regularly updates with new features that can change the navigation and overall experience.
There are varying levels of functionality with the browser version (accessed through Office 365) and the desktop app. We recommend you use the desktop application to get the most out of Teams.
A good starting point is the LinkedIn Learning Course Learning Microsoft Teams for education. This course covers:
- types of teams
- creating a class
- adding students or staff
- adding a channel
- adding a tab and some of the integrated apps
- chats and conversations
- setting up and joining meetings
However, it does not cover everything such as breakout rooms or newer functions such as integrated whiteboard or Loop.
Meetings
There are different ways to set up and manage meetings. This could be through Outlook or the calendar within Teams. You can also set up a meeting through a channel or chat. Each has different functionality.
During meetings, there are tools you can use to enhance the learning experience and increase accessibility.
Screen sharing a presentation can inform participants about a topic while sharing a internet browser or application allows you to show how to find something or complete a task. While sharing a screen, you want to remember to turn on the sound on your device especially where audio or video is also being shared.
Breakout rooms are an important tool to split participants into smaller groups but can take practice in managing and setting them up.
Options and tools within Teams exist to make them more accessible for all, including customizing screen settings and turning on captions.
Use these videos to guide you through the key functions:
- Setting up and joining meetings.
- Screen Sharing
- Breakout rooms
- Making meetings more inclusive on teams
- Where to find your meeting recordings
Channels
Channels are a more asynchronous tool for engaging with students and can be used in different ways. You can set up channels for specific topics or weeks or set them up for individual students as private channels through which you can develop a feedback dialogue between you and your learners.
This video guide will summarize how to set up a channel, add members, add files, conversations, and notifications.
Chat
You can do so much with chat on teams. You can have group chat, send files and images, weblinks and even collaborative components in the Loop app. These videos will walk you through the key functions.
Teaching Apps
Teams have a bewildering number of apps which can be very overwhelming. Here are 5 we think you will find most useful within a teaching context.
Learn more
To discover more about teaching using teams then read Teams: Good Practices in Teaching
For support in using Teams during teaching and learning contact your local Digital Learning team.
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