Use Microsoft Teams to Host Live Lecture Sessions

Last updated on May 24, 2024

Microsoft Teams is an important tool for increasing student engagement and interaction. In a synchronous online course, instructors can use MS Teams to hold live lectures. The directions below walk through the process of using MS Teams to host live lectures.

Directions

1. Launch the Microsoft Teams Application on your computer.
   • If you don’t know where your Teams Application is search your computer for Microsoft Teams.
     1. For a PC:
        1. Type Microsoft Teams in the search bar at the bottom left of your desktop. 
        2. Open Microsoft Teams. 
     2. For a Mac:
        1. Click on Search, a magnifying glass icon in the top right of your desktop. Type Microsoft Teams in the search bar.
        2. Open Microsoft Teams.
2. Click Calendar on the left navigation bar in Teams.
3. Click + New Meeting on the top right.
   • If you would like to meet immediately with students:
     1. Click Meet Now. 
     2. Click Join Now.
     3. Click the button in the upper right that looks like a Chain Link to copy the Join Info.
     4. Email the Link to your students in your course (view the tutorial on sending email, if you need help with this).
        • Note: You can also type the email address in the Invite Someone text box in the upper right to invite a specific student.
4. Assign the appropriate Date and Time. 
5. Select the Team then Channel then General, you should have created a Team for each class (refer to the tutorial “Set up a Course Team on Microsoft Teams”).
6. Click Save.
7. On the date and time of the meeting to access your meeting you can join through either:
   • The Course Team’s General Channel
     1. Launch the Microsoft Teams Application.
     2. Click the Teams icon on the left navigation bar.
     3. Click the Course Team.
     4. Click the Meeting you scheduled.
   • Microsoft Teams Calendar
     1. Launch the Microsoft Teams Application.
     2. Click the Meeting you scheduled. 
     3. Click Join Now.

What the Buttons on the Screen Mean

• Teams (two people): View participants in the meeting
• Message Box: Opens the chat panel
• Hand and Smiley Face: Reactions that users can click on
  • Thumbs Up
  • Heart
  • Clapping Hands
  • Smiley Face
  • Hand- used to indicate a raised hand
• Two Squares (one smaller): Breakout Rooms
  • Refer to the “Use MS Teams Breakout Rooms” tutorial for more info
• Three Dots: Other settings and options
• Video Camera: Turn your video on or off
• Microphone: Mute or unmute yourself
• Share (Square with upward arrow): Share your screen
• Red Telephone Leave: Hang-Up/End the meeting