Collaboration, Video Conferencing and Communication Tools

Work and communicate with your colleagues using Microsoft Teams

The Teams platform enables direct messaging, file sharing, and both audio and video calling or conferencing. Read on for tips on how to maximize your productivity and for best practices.  

Access Teams via the web at teams.microsoft.com or use the desktop application. Download the desktop or mobile app. (Make sure to login with your FlashLine username and password.) 

Start a chat

You start one-on-one and group chats the same way. 

  1. Selecting New chat New chat icon at the top of your chat screen.
  2. Enter the name or names of the people with whom you wish to chat
  3. Compose your message in the box at the bottom of the chat.
  4. When you're ready, select Send Send a message icon. . This starts the chat.

Find out more on our Microsoft Teams Chat page or visit Microsoft's Start a Chat in Teams support article for more detailed instructions. 

Create a Teams Meeting

If you need to communicate directly with your group, follow these instructions for creating a meeting instantly.

For the best audio-visual experience in a Teams meeting, wear a headset and blur your background.

Start a meeting

  1. To start a meeting, do one of the following:
    • Select Meet now icon in a new conversation.
    • Select Meet now icon in an existing conversation to keep all that conversation’s context.
  2. In your video preview, enter a name for the meeting, and select Meet now.
  3. Select the names of the team members you want to invite to the meeting. You can also type a phone number, a good way to add people outside your organization who aren't using Teams.

View Microsoft's Create Instant Meetings support article if additional instructions are needed.

Join a meeting

  1. Look for the meeting notification icon Meet now icon in a conversation to find a meeting.
  2. Select Join Now to participate in the meeting.

View Microsoft's Join a Teams Meeting support article if additional instructions are needed.

Share Your Desktop

  • Select the share screen icon Select to share your screen in a meeting. to show your screen to the other people in the meeting.

Record a Meeting

  • Select more options icon Select to see more options to record the meeting. You'll be emailed when the video is ready so you can view, edit, and share with others.

 

Schedule a Teams Meeting

There are several ways to schedule a meeting.

  • Select Schedule a meeting Schedule a meeting button in a chat (this is below the compose box) to book a meeting with the people in the chat.

  • Or go to Calendar Meetings button on the left side of the app and either select New meeting at the top right of the app, or select a range of time on your calendar and a scheduling form will pop open.

Similar to Outlook, on the scheduling form is where you'll give a title to your meeting, invite people, and add meetings details.

On the scheduling form you will have the option to add a channel, individual people, or leave both blank to book yourself an appointment.

Find out more about Teams Meetings.

 

Communicating by Email or Phone

Teams is very effective for communicating with your Kent State colleagues; however, if you need to communicate with people outside of the university, we suggest you use the methods below.

Email

Phone

For most communications, Teams is the best method for communicating with other university employees. However, if you need to use your office phone, call forwarding and Jabber are your best solutions.

NOTE: You will need to use the VPN to use Jabber.

Conference Calling Using Your Smartphone

For an Android device:

While a call is open:

  • To merge current calls into one conference call, tap Call mergeCall merge.
  • To mute or un-mute your microphone, tap Mute Mute.
  • To pause a conversation without hanging up, tap Hold Hold. To pick up the call again, tap Hold again.

For an iOS (Apple) device:

You can set up a conference call with up to five people (depending on your carrier).

Conference calls may not be available depending on your network.

While on a call

  1. Tap Add Call
  2. Make another call
  3. Tap Merge Calls
  4. Repeat to add more people to the conference.

During the conference call, do any of the following:

  • Talk privately with one person: Tap the More Info button, then tap Private next to the person. Tap Merge Calls to resume the conference.
  • Add an incoming caller on the same line: Tap Hold Call + Answer, then tap Merge Calls.
  • Drop one person: Tap the More Info button next to a person, then tap End.