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Working on a group project using Microsoft Teams
In one or more of your modules you might be asked to work collaboratively in a small group to produce a shared outcome. Group projects give you the opportunity to apply what you have learned in a module, and to develop interpersonal and digital skills that you will find useful in your life after university.
This page will explain how you can use a group chat in Microsoft Teams to create a hub for communication and collaboration, as you work on your project. Microsoft Teams is part of the Student Advantage offer that is available to you at the university.
Step 1: Get started
Download and install the Teams application from the Microsoft website, sign in using your University of Leeds email address and password to get started. Navigate to the Chat tab and use the New Chat icon (shown here) to create a group chat. To make it easier to refer to, Pin the chat so it’s always at the top of your list of conversations.
Watch this Microsoft video to learn how to create and pin a group chat.
Step 2: Schedule an online meeting to plan ahead
In your group chat select the Calendar icon to schedule an online meeting where you will kick start your project. Set clear objectives and roles for each member of the group, use the Meeting Notes function to keep an accurate record of your conversations and decisions.
Watch a Microsoft playlist about online meetings in Teams on YouTube
Step 3: Collaborate on supporting files
Use the Files tab to store resources that are crucial to the development of your project. You can upload a variety of files directly from your computer or from your University of Leeds OneDrive account. Once uploaded, you can auto-save documents, meaning that changes you make will be visible to all group members, and meaning that you can all work on the same document at the same time.
Watch this Microsoft video to learn how to work collaboratively on a document in Teams.
Step 4: Chat and develop ideas
Throughout your project the Chat tab is where you can share links to useful resources, post and reply to ideas and send praise to group members who have made significant contributions to the project. Grab the attention of specific individuals by using @mentions, which will send a notification to that person on Teams to let them know you are reaching out to them.
Watch this Microsoft 365 video playlist to learn how to use Chat in Teams.
Step 5: Practice your presentation
When it is taking shape, schedule an online meeting to practice giving the presentation with each other. Online meetings in Teams allow you to share documents, such as the slides you have produced in the Files tab, as well as screens – such as examples of live websites that might illustrate points given in your presentation. Practice giving your presentation and create a recording that you can collectively reflect on.
Watch this Microsoft video to learn how to share a screen or file in a Teams meeting.
Step 6: Produce the recording of your presentation
If your Module Leader wants you to submit a recording of your presentation, schedule an online meeting and the Record Meeting function. This will create the video that you can subsequently download from Teams and submit to the appropriate section in Minerva.
When submitting video files for your modules always follow the guidance on submitting video assignments on this website.