(also on the student joining instructions)

You will shortly receive an email from Microsoft Teams with information on how you can join the ‘Team’ website for the course. This website will allow you to access resources for the course and leave messages for the tutor and other students on the course.

Open the email and click on the link ‘Open Microsoft Teams’

If you are on a laptop or computer, you will then see a webpage like the one below. 

• If you want to open the Teams website for the course without downloading the Teams app, click the button ‘Use the web app instead’
• If you’d like to download the Teams app click ‘Download the Windows app’.
• If you already have the Teams app on your computer or mobile device click ‘Launch it now’

(If you are using a phone or a tablet, you will need to download the Teams app.)

If you are using a phone or a tablet, you will need to download the Teams app by downloading the Windows app

If you’ve never used Teams before, you may be asked to create a Teams account when you try to open the link to the Teams website.

You’ll see a message like the one below. Teams will use your email as your username. Click ‘Next’ to start creating your account.

Create a password for your Teams account (you’ll use this anytime you need to sign into Teams). Then click ‘Next’.

Microsoft Teams will send you an email with a verification code. Enter the code from the email to verify your account.

When you click ‘Next’, you may be asked to complete a small puzzle to confirm that you are not a robot. Once you’ve done this your Teams account will have been created. Make a note of your username (your email) and your password so you can easily sign into Teams for your class.

(also on your joining instructions)

Before your first class you’ll receive an email from your Open Learning course inviting you to the online class.

Example of an email invite for an Open Learning course online class.

When you open the email, you will see a link to the online class.

Link in Teams Meeting invite email

If you click on ‘Click here to join the meeting’ it will bring you to the online class.

If you are using a computer or laptop, you’ll then see a screen like the one below. Click ‘Continue on this browser’ if you don’t want to download the Teams app to your computer. This is the quickest way to join the meeting. However, if you have already downloaded the Teams app, you can click ‘Open your Teams app’.  (If you are using a mobile phone or tablet, you’ll be prompted to open or download the Teams app.)

If you click on ‘Click here to join the meeting, it will bring you to the online class.

If you are using a computer or laptop, you’ll then see a screen like the one below. Click ‘Continue on this browser’ if you don’t want to download the Teams app to your computer. This is the quickest way to join the meeting. However, if you have already downloaded the Teams app, you can click ‘Open your Teams app’.  (If you are using a mobile phone or tablet, you’ll be prompted to open or download the Teams app

To accept a meeting click Accept, and then select Send the Response Now. The organizer will now receive an email indicating you have accepted the meeting.

This toolbar will appear on the screen when you have entered the meeting  – either top or bottom of the page.  The useful ones to know are

 Turning camera on and off

• Turn your microphone on and off
• Raise and lower hand
• End meeting

If there is a line through the camera, then it is off.  Just click on the camera icon and it will turn on.

If it is a large class lecture style most students will keep their camera off and you will just see the tutor who is speaking

Make sure to mute your microphone when you are not talking, if you are in a noisy environment or if you don’t use a headset. This is particularly important if you are in a large meeting with many participants. The meeting will get very messy, when you hear the washing machines, children, neighbours with power drills or even just coughing from ten participants…  Click on the mute button and a line will cross it to indicate you are on mute.  Don’t forget to unmute when you want to talk.

During a Microsoft Teams meeting, a participant can use the Raise your hand option to get the speaker's and moderator's attention. This feature is important for the following reasons: Participants can signal that they want to talk without disrupting the meeting.

Find where the best wi-fi signal is in your house – and work there!

Cut down the amount of Internet connections in your house during Teams Meeting (e.g. internet gaming, streaming Netflix movies, etc.)

Wear headphones or earphones to minimise feedback

• A reliable internet connection
• A desktop or laptop PC or Mac with a built-in webcam is ideal for interactive classes as it will allow you to see all your fellow students at the one time. (We strongly encourage the use of headphones). 
• If you do  not have a computer, you can also use a tablet or Smart phone though check it is a version which will download microsoft teams app.

Not much, you will need to have basic computer skills.  We aim to try and make it as easy as possible.

There will be three types of online courses – recorded, interactive and blended:

Interactive teaching will be ‘live’ and classes will be offered at a set day and time each week, just like in the Open Learning programme. You login at the designated class time and you will see your fellow students and your tutor on screen.

Pre-Recorded teaching – you will be informed when lessons for each week will be available.  You can take your time over the week to complete the course

Blended teaching – a mixture of interactive and recorded teaching.

All queries should be directed to our email address openlearning.education@qub.ac.uk