Modules that are opted into Microsoft Teams automatically have the Class Team type applied as a template.

In addition to the pre-created content, Team Owners may add additional channels and tabs. Please see the Microsoft support website for more information and instructions.

Class types

Each Team with the Class type applied has the following set of default channels: 

• General – for general Teams course materials, collaboration and conversations. 
• Breakout 01 to 10 – for breakout sessions. This is currently a workaround and may be changed when Microsoft releases the Breakout Rooms features. 
• Coffee Break – this channel is for social purposes. It is hidden as a default and will need to be unhidden for students to engage with. 

You can learn more about the features of the different Teams types on the Microsoft support website and also learn how to create a Class Team type from scratch. 

Tabs in Teams

Tabs serve a similar function to bookmarks for your Team, making it easier to access content and links that are needed frequently. The General channel contains tabs for Posts, Files and Class Notebook (limited to a maximum of 200 participants).

Link to BlackBoard Course

If a module registered in Banner has been opted into both Teams and Blackboard, an additional tab will be created in the General channel linking directly to the corresponding module’s course in Blackboard. 

When a Blackboard course is accessed via Teams, it will open in an iFrame on Teams. It is recommended that the Go to website globe icon is selected at the top right of the screen to access a full-screen version of the Blackboard course. 

You may also be prompted with the error message “If your site isn’t loading correctly, click here”. Selecting this will also allow Blackboard to open in a web browser tab.

Student Engagement in Teams

You can use the Insights app to track student engagement in your Teams that are used for remote or mixed-mode teaching delivery. This tab will need to be manually added to your Team.

More information on the Insights app can be found in the Educator's guide to Insights in Microsoft Teams - Office Support Microsoft support article.

Assignments and Grades

The Assignments and Grades tabs are not to be used as they do not integrate with other Imperial systems. There is a limit of 200 staff and students for each of these.