Introducing Microsoft Teams
Posted August 12, 2020 by Academic and Institutional Technology
Tags: Department News
Introducing Microsoft Teams
Effective Date: August 12, 2020
Microsoft Teams is a new platform that we will be installing on all Wheaton College computers beginning August 12, 2020. Microsoft Teams is the upgrade and replacement for Microsoft Skype for Business, which will reach its end of support in the near future. Microsoft Teams will be available to all faculty and staff. In addition, students will also be able to access Microsoft Teams to which they are invited using their @my.wheaton.edu email address.
If you have reoccurring meetings using Skype for Business, the AIT Service Desk can help you adjust the calendar events to use Microsoft Teams instead.
More information is below and will be included in future Campus Announcements.
Features
The following core capabilities are included in Microsoft Teams:
- Chat: Enjoy ongoing group and one-on-one conversations with other Wheaton College employees. Chat can be enhanced by adding emojis and GIFs to your discussion.
- Audio & Video calling: Microsoft Teams provides a simple and easy-to-use interface that allows you to chat with your team via text, have a voice conversation, or a video meeting. Attendees can share their screen and text chat within the meeting.
- Add Students or non-Wheaton community members: A team can be joined by students and by peers outside of the Wheaton College community.
- Schedule meetings: Easily schedule meetings for your team from within Microsoft Teams as well as from within Outlook. Students and peers outside of the college don’t need a Microsoft Teams account, they can join a meeting they are invited to via the web.
- Highly customizable: Every team is unique with differing workflow methods and requirements. Microsoft Teams allows you to tailor your team and channels to meet each group’s needs.
- Grid view (coming soon!): See more of your audience with up to 49 participants on a single screen.
Additional Information
How do I access Microsoft Teams?
- Microsoft Teams is accessible via web browsers, as well as desktop and mobile client applications on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. You may find yourself using one or more of these options as you stay engaged with your team.
- Beginning August 12, Wheaton College will unobtrusively begin pushing out the Microsoft Teams client to ALL college-owned computers. No interaction with the install will be required.
- Per the ongoing recommendation of having the GlobalProtect VPN running when you are working, with it on, the Microsoft Teams install will happen in the background.
- Read more on keeping your computer "healthy" while working remotely.
Start using Microsoft Teams
To start Microsoft Teams...
- In Windows, click Start > Microsoft Teams.
- In macOS, go to the Applications folder and double-click Microsoft Teams.
- On mobile, tap the Microsoft Teams icon.
- Sign in with your Wheaton College email address and password.
Help Resources
- Getting started with Microsoft Teams.
- Alternative download options:
- Windows users can download via Software Center.
- macOS users can download via Self-service.
- The Microsoft Teams downloads page provides a convenient place where you can download Desktop Apps for Mac & Windows as well as Mobile Apps for Android, iOS, and Windows Phone.
- Webinars (Coming soon!)
Need additional help or have questions?
If you would like assistance with creating a department team or have questions or issues, please contact the AIT Service Desk at ait.service.desk@wheaton.edu or call 630.752.4357 (HELP).