Prepare to master Microsoft Teams, the central hub for collaboration in the Microsoft Suite. This essential 30-minute e-learning course is designed for all employees to unlock the full potential of Teams, which is set to replace Skype for Business. Whether you are a complete beginner or already using the platform, this training provides everything you need to enhance your productivity and teamwork.

Progress from a Teams Apprentice to a skilled user and finally to a Teams Ninja. You will learn how to navigate the interface, manage chats and channels, conduct effective meetings, and leverage advanced features like keyboard shortcuts and the Who-Bot. This course is hands-on, encouraging you to try features as you learn to get the most out of this powerful collaboration tool.

Why Is This Course Important?

As Skype for Business is being phased out, Microsoft Teams is becoming the core application for business messaging, calling, video meetings, and file sharing. Its most powerful feature is its deep integration with tools like SharePoint, Planner, and PowerBI, creating a single, persistent space for team collaboration. Understanding Teams is crucial for reducing email traffic, streamlining communication, and ensuring seamless project management.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Understand the basic and advanced functionality of Microsoft Teams.

• Navigate the Teams client and mobile app with confidence.

• Effectively use chat, channels, and the activity feed to stay organised.

• Set up, join, and manage meetings, including screen sharing and recording sessions.

• Master collaboration by sending emails to channels and integrating other applications.

• Utilise advanced features, including commands, keyboard shortcuts, and the Who-Bot to improve efficiency.

Course Outline

This training is structured into three progressive levels:

1. Beginner - Becoming a Teams Apprentice

• Introduction: Learn why Teams is replacing Skype for Business and how to download the desktop and mobile applications.

• Core Navigation: Get a full tour of the main sections: Activity, Chat, Teams, Calendar, Calls, and Files.

• Chat & Channels: Master persistent 1-on-1 and group chats, and understand how to use channels for dedicated topics, file sharing, and app integrations.

• Meetings & Activity: Learn to schedule meetings from Teams or Outlook and use the activity feed to track mentions and replies.

2. Intermediate Skills - Becoming a Skilled Teams User

• Advanced Communication: Discover how to forward emails directly into a Teams channel to centralise information.

• Mastering Meetings: Dive deeper into scheduling meetings, inviting internal and external attendees, and using the Scheduling Assistant.

• In-Meeting Controls: Learn to record meetings (which save to Microsoft Stream), blur your background, manage audio/video, and share your screen, a specific window, or just a file.

3. Advanced Tips & Tricks - Becoming a Teams Ninja

• Personalisation: Customise your experience by changing themes, setting your status, and managing privacy and notification settings.

• Power Features: Use the command bar to quickly navigate Teams, change your status, or start a chat.

• The Who-Bot: Learn how to use the '/who' command to ask questions and find information about people in the company directory.

• Mobile App & Shortcuts: Explore the features of the well-designed mobile app, including setting "quiet hours," and discover useful keyboard shortcuts to speed up your workflow.