Many learning technologies, specifically for e-learning don't provide enough teachers with the tools for success. Some software is only geared towards video conferencing, such as zoom or skype. Other software is only suitable for submitting homework assignments, such as scholar or moodle. Other software like khan academy provides learners with help and guidance from peers but it mostly functions as supplemental practice. Not to mention, although these softwares are widely used in the e-learning community, not all are user friendly to countries outside of America. They also are not all-encompasing, meaning a student would need to be familiar not only with one application or software, but a handful in order to excell in an online learning environment.

This is where Microsoft teams adds value to online learners, and provides a singular place where teachers can manage everything in one spot. Below are some of the features that make Microsoft Teams stand out from other collaboration software:

1.) Teams and channels. Teams are made up of channels, which are conversation boards between teammates.

2.) All team members can view and add to different conversations in the General channel and can use an @ function to invite other members to different conversations. A chat function. The basic chat function is commonly found within most collaboration apps and can take place between teams, groups, and individuals.

3.) Document storage in SharePoint. Every team who uses Microsoft Teams will have a site in SharePoint Online, which will contain a default document library folder. All files shared across all conversations will automatically save to this folder. Permissions and security options can also be customized for sensitive information.

4.) Online video calling and screen sharing. Enjoy seamless and fast video calls to employees within your business or clients outside your business. A good video call feature is great to have on a collaboration platform. One can also enjoy simple and fast desktop sharing for technical assistance and multi-user real-time collaboration.

5.) Online meetings. This feature can help enhance your communications, company-wide meetings, and even training with an online meetings function that can host up to 10,000 users. Online meetings can include anyone outside or inside a business. This feature also includes a scheduling aid, a note-taking app, file uploading, and in-meeting chat messaging.

6.) Audio conferencing. This is a feature you won’t find in many collaboration platforms. With audio conferencing, anyone can join an online meeting via phone. With a dial-in number that spans hundreds of cities, even users that are on the go can participate with no internet required. Note this requires additional licensing.

7.) Full telephone. Microsoft Teams can completely replace your business’ existing phone system. Note this requires additional licensing.

8.) Microsoft Teams is included in Office 365 for free. Students and Teachers also receive teams for free.

9.) Teachers can aslo create their own courses and store teaching material and grade all on one platform.

For a detailed guide on how to use the software you can also click the following link: https://medium.com/@leekahhow/for-teachers-microsoft-teams-step-by-step-tutorial-62f243ae8c64.

Sources:

1.) https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/education/products/teams

2.) https://www.compete366.com/blog-posts/microsoft-teams-what-is-it-and-should-we-be-using-it/