Dan, Qaixen Consultant, reveals three compelling ways schools and teachers can maximise the power of Microsoft Teams to deliver exciting and creative new lesson ideas in a school environment in his latest blog:
The humble Teams call is a staple of Microsoft in Education, but could this tool be used more effectively within a school environment? As much as it is fun, such as reminding other members of staff that they’re still on mute or that their camera is not on, could we use this simple part of the Teams platform in a more creative way for pupils?
Making the impossible, possible
By using calls in the classroom, teachers can access a wealth of knowledge and expertise from anywhere in the world. Studying about a particular country? Why not arrange a Teams call to that part of the world, giving your students a first-hand view of unfamiliar cultures and experience, what life is like from an alternative point of view? From author visits to concerts, all these experiences can enhance learning and motivate students. In my own setting, we were fortunate enough to be able to arrange a Teams call with a geneticist. With a little planning, we were able to conduct a practical activity using cocktail sticks and jelly sweets to create models of a DNA structure. This delicious yet informative Teams call allowed us to gain an insight into the daily life of a scientist within their own setting, something which would not have been possible without Microsoft Teams.
Creativity
Teachers are renowned for their ability to think outside the box, and using technology creatively is no exception. Creating a text about an historical figure? Why not interview them over Teams? By asking another member of staff to dress up and hot seat as this character over Teams, you can give your students a level of immersion that would not be possible (especially if you prepare some themed backgrounds to go with the call!) Yet, Teams calls don’t always have to be grounded in reality. For younger students, it might be worth setting up a debate with Goldilocks to talk about the consequences of her actions or trying to convince one of the Three Little Pigs that maybe straw is not the best material for building one’s house out of. Whether it is a hook for a lesson or a different way of presenting work to an audience, Microsoft Teams calls give you an option to explore learning creatively.
Choice
The benefit of Teams calls means that you now have a choice in how you wish to present information. More choice can only be a good thing. For example, a blended approach can now be used when organising parent teacher consultations. Parents can be given the choice of attending in person or online. This not only makes the process more efficient, but also allows for greater engagement from parents who traditionally may not have attended the session. There’s no reason to stop at this either. With a small amount of tweaking, parent workshops could be given as a webinar at the same time as being conducted in front of a live audience of parents, for maximum participation and involvement, with questions from both online and live audience members answered in real time. The possibilities are endless.
Just the surface
These are just some of the ideas and suggestions of how I have used Teams calls in the past. There are undoubtedly many more ingenious and creative ways of using this tool and with practise, it will indeed give another tool to your teaching arsenal.
Here at Qaixen, we offer a range of bespoke training services for teachers to help increase understanding and get more out of Microsoft Teams. If you would like to learn more about how Qaixen can help your school, Multi Academy Trust, college or university, simply contact us.