Microsoft Teams Has Made Life Easier "Microsoft Teams is a digital hub that brings conversations, content, and apps together in one place. Create collaborative classrooms, connect in professional learning communities, and communicate with staff– all from a single experience in Office 365 for Education." (Microsoft Website Description) Microsoft Teams is available in my district as part of our Office 365 package. It has made my life so much easier this year. My students were getting sick and tired of having to remember multiple websites, different programs, and passwords. Teams has made all our lives easier by providing us with a place to do many things with only one logon. This has been a blessing. With adults Teams is a place for collaboration, connections, and organization of materials. Teams can be created for classes, CPT groups, school-wide groups, or just the people working on a particular topic (ie. grading committee group). The multi-functions of Teams makes it an ideal platform for teachers and administrators. I'm sure glad I found it. Here is how I'm using Microsoft Teams in my professional life: Ways I'm Using Microsoft Teams1. Class Notebook: Each team has a Class Notebook that allows you to use a fully functional OneNote Notebook. I am able to use the OneNote Notebook in Teams or I can switch to the online or full versions. My students are able to view and submit assignments, have access to the content library, and use the collaborative space without having to logon to OneNote. I am able to distribute pages, review assignments, and do all the other things that I have been doing in OneNote and OneNote Online. I am also able to use all the Learning Tools such as Immersive Reader and Dictate simply by switching to the full version.
2. Flipgrid Grids and Topics: Being able to embed grids and topics directly into Teams is a great feature. It allows my students to easily view and record video responses without having to go to the website. This makes it easier for them and saves a lot of time. 3. Text and Video Chat: I have used the video chat feature to run a meeting with our language teachers at the high school and at the middle school at the same time. Being able to connect the two groups in two different buildings makes meeting much easier and allows for collaboration across schools. My students love to chat with each other using the text feature. This has increased opportunities for my ELs to practice their English. 3. Add a Tab: Microsoft Teams gives me the ability to add tabs with many different programs including the online versions of Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and OneNote. I can also add websites, PDFs, Forms, Survey Monkey, YouTube videos, and many other apps and tools that I'm just starting to use. 4. Collaboration Space for Teachers: I have been using Microsoft Teams with our Leadership Team and with my department members. As a director in the building, Teams has given me a tool/place to put files, have collaborative conversations, and coordinate groups. I have created different teams including Leadership, Unified Arts, District World Language Teachers, MHS Technology Coaches, and District PLTW Teachers. I have also created a team for each of the CPT groups that I facilitate. These are some of the ways that I am using Microsoft Teams with students and colleagues. There are many other ways and I welcome your suggestions and comments.
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Luis Oliveira
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