Using Microsoft Teams to Support Collaborative Learning

With over 115 million active users, Microsoft Teams has become one of the most utilised collaboration platforms for organisations looking to enhance their digital workspace. Our recent Poll on LinkedIn saw 50% of respondents* using Microsoft Teams as their primary delivery platform for online training.

Microsoft Teams offers so much more than the basic video and chat options, but many organisations are unaware of the depth of resources available through the platform. As a multi-faceted tool, it can prove difficult to implement and manage if you don’t fully understand all the features. In this article we will highlight some of the most important features for you to be aware of when looking to build a dynamic digital workspace and how Microsoft Teams can be used to support collaborative learning.

The ability to create and host meetings within the Microsoft Teams platform is one of the most frequently used features. However, Teams’ innovative meeting capabilities also allow online instructors to create virtual classrooms where they can securely and easily deliver employee training online.

Because Microsoft Teams allows you to include audio, video and screen sharing for up to 300 individual participants, it is ideal for delivering training sessions as well as meetings - attendees don’t even have to be members of the organisation to join a session.

L&D and other virtual trainers can share content before, during and after training sessions, and all members will be notified when the information is made available. Attendees have dedicated chats where they can share training notes, ask questions, or link to outside resources that can foster more learning for the whole team.

The sessions can be recorded and saved to the team or channel, to enable members to review or recap the key points later. Sessions can also be transcribed so the notes can be added as a file in the team. For larger training courses or workshops, you can add private channels to facilitate break-out sessions where smaller groups can connect and follow-up after the meetings.

Microsoft SharePoint works perfectly with Microsoft Teams, enabling Learning and Development and Training Managers to easily create full web pages that can be shared in the Teams channels. This SharePoint page acts as a ‘homepage’ where users can easily search for and select the learning content they need, making it a great way to maximise time and content sharing.

As Microsoft Teams integrates seamlessly with a whole host of applications, it serves as a superior platform to create a robust online learning and working environment.

When a learning management system is integrated with Microsoft Teams — such as the dedicated LMS365 learning platform — it can improve employee access to learning opportunities and training content.

With LMS365, Teams users can simply add a tab to any team or channel and select a specific training course through the LMS365 app to add the course directly into the teams’ feed. Learning and Development can use Teams to share available courses through dedicated channels, manage training progress by connecting with users who might need extra guidance, and empowering employees to take ownership of their learning with easy to find learning opportunities. With Microsoft Teams and an integrated LMS, working and learning online flows seamlessly.

Microsoft Teams allows Learning and Development departments and Managers to create a sense of community and a solid foundation for social learning in the digital workspace. Utilising Microsoft Teams in this way expands the possibilities for how employees can learn new skills, participate in team projects, and share information, making the platform a catalyst for maximising learner engagement and employee productivity.

With an enhanced understanding of the Microsoft Teams platform and features, users can be empowered by a collaborative learning experience, in a familiar environment, that can be customised for their unique learning and working style. When matched with an agile Learning Platform such as LMS365, L&D departments can more confidently maximise their training potential.

LMS365 can easily be added and utilised into Microsoft Teams to enhance training for your learners. On Wednesday 10th March we will be hosting a Webinar to demonstrate how easy it is to install the LMS365 App within Microsoft Teams, as well as outline some of the key features.