What is Teams?
Microsoft Teams is a messaging app where conversations, files, meetings, and more can be accessed by a group, all in one place. It’s a place where instructors and students can collaborate together. For more information, visit How Do I Use Teams?
What is Teams for Classes and Cohorts?
Teams for Classes and Cohorts is a limited rollout in order to meet the need for students and instructors to maintain contact and share files while observing social distancing guidelines. Not all functionality is currently available. Teams for Classes is not intended to be a replacement for VIUOnline Rooms (Zoom) for video conferencing or VIULearn (D2L) for learning management.
Where can I find help with Teams?
Interested in learning more about Teams, how to install it, and how to use it? Visit the links below.
Instructors - Using Teams for Teaching
How do I request Teams for a course I teach?
Step 1
Read the Teams Pre-Production Roll Out Guidelines
Step 2
Submit a ticket to ithelp@viu.ca with the following information:
- Faculty/Instructor Name (Team Owner):
- Course Name including Semester and Section*:
- Class or Cohort:
- Start (team creation) Date:
- End (team deactivation) Date:
- Would you like training for Teams as part of this request? (yes/no):
- I have read and agree to the Teams Pre-Production Roll Out Guidelines (Initials):
*Course Name and Sections should follow VIU standards, for example: FNFS 103 F20N0.
The IT department will then review your request and provide you with instructions once the Team has been created.
Step 3
Once your new team has been created, check out How do I use Teams? and Teams for Classes and Cohorts for instructions
How do I invite instructors?
How do I invite students?
Step 1: Invite student as a guest
As students do not have VIU email addresses, they will need to be invited as a guest using their personal email.
Important note: Please be aware that a student's Teams username (as seen by others) will contain their email address.
For privacy reasons, students may choose to use their VIU Student Virtual Email Address (e.g. example@stumail.viu.ca) or register a new email address (e.g. Outlook or Gmail)
Step 2: Student accepts invitation and creates Microsoft account
Once you have invited the student, they will receive an invitation link. After accepting the invitation they may be prompted to create a Microsoft account if they do not already have one associated with their email. This is the account they will use to log in to Teams.
How do I use Teams for teaching?
Students
My course is using Teams. How do I get access?
Step 1: Choose an email address
Your instructor will need an email address to send the invitation to.
Important note: Please be aware that your Teams username (as seen by others) will contain your email address.
For privacy reasons, you may choose to use your VIU Student Virtual Email Address (e.g. example@stumail.viu.ca) or register a new email address (e.g. Outlook or Gmail)
Step 2: Accept the invitation and create a Microsoft account
After you have provided your instructor with your email address, they will send you an invitation link for Teams. Once you've accepted the invitation, you may be asked to create a Microsoft account if you don't already have one associated with your email.
Step 3: Access Teams
- Download Teams for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, or use Teams on the web at https://teams.microsoft.com
- Log in using the Microsoft account associated with your email
How do I use Teams for learning?