Overview
A Learning Management System (LMS) is a web browser-based application that helps learning organizations deliver and manage online learning. It provides a portal and online course library to business professionals and students in educational institutions.
A modern LMS delivers much more than eLearning courses; It provides multiple forms or modes of learning including learning paths, virtual classrooms, assessments, certifications. In addition, an LMS also provides social learning and gamification features to promote learning and knowledge sharing.
What is Microsoft Teams?
Microsoft (MS) Teams is a business application designed to increase the productivity of teams of people working together. It is a chat-based collaboration application that also provides document sharing, online meetings, calendars, and many business communications tools.
Microsoft has created an ecosystem that enables partner organizations to design and publish apps that complement the functionality of MS Teams. Since more and more teams and professionals are using MS teams for their day-to-day work, MS Teams is a viable and natural platform to deliver valuable business applications and information in the daily workflow.
Learning is one such great example. Learning Management Systems provide an on-going flow of learning resources to users. By integrating an LMS portal within MS Teams, learning can be brought closer to the learner’s attention and easy access.
Especially since the learner experience is via mobile apps or the web. This ease of adoption is the reason why MS Teams is largely adopted in business organizations and academic institutions worldwide.
How Does MS Team Work?
MS Team is designed to support multiple teams all of which can be accessed through a single interface. While instant messaging is the preferred output, VoIP calls and video conferences are also supported.
As a matter of fact, the video conference feature supports up to 250 simultaneous participants. Members of a team have access to a pool of shared documents that can be opened within the MS Teams interface, downloaded to a PC, or retrieved via a link that can be shared.
How Do Users Benefit from MS Team?
1. Enhanced Communication:
With MS Teams, communication is enhanced as project teams can post their messages in multiple channels organized around projects or departments. To get a colleague’s attention in a conversation channel or chat, type @ followed by their name or an entire team.
2. Ease of Use:
The Microsoft Teams interface is very intuitive and so easy to use that technical expertise is not required to utilize its features. The MS Team is easily customizable and can be personalized to suit even the most unique business need. Accessing vital data is simplified with MS Teams’ interface.
3. Increased Efficiency:
Microsoft Teams enhances employee or student communication, productivity, and teamwork by integrating all forms of collaboration into one single user interface. This way users can easily integrate with apps like Outlook, SharePoint Online, Office Online, YouTube, Google Analytics, and One-note, (among others) which they need to complete their tasks. Seamless integration with third-party apps eliminates the need to exit the app to complete their tasks.
4. Security:
Microsoft Teams come with a variety of authentication protocols like organization-wide two-factor authentication or a single sign-on through Active Directory. These protocols were designed to provide users with cutting-edge security and compliance capabilities that improve the security of their operations.
What are the Key Features of MS Teams?
1.Spaces and channels: These are secure ‘spaces’, where designated team members can view documents and interact. There are separate channels for different topics, themes, or sub-teams.
2. Web conferencing, chat, and calls: These features allow users to schedule multiple video chats, share screens, and record meetings. One-to-one calls and much larger team calls are also supported.
3. Documents and discussions: With MS Teams users can discuss documents in real-time
4. Integrations with other apps: MS Teams features an extensive store of ready-made apps, add-ons, and connectors that facilitate integration with other apps.
5. Team Customisation: This feature allows users to customize the tool to meet specific needs.
These features are responsible for the popularity of this solution globally. As a matter of fact, MS Teams counted 32 million daily active users of Teams as of March 2020. This figure has since grown to 44 million daily active users in recent times.
Use of MS Teams in Education and Training
Microsoft Teams can be used by schools or academic institutions to create collaborative classrooms, connect in learning communities, communicate with school staff, and coordinate research across institutions among other things. Its web conferencing feature enables virtual face-to-face connections, assignments, files, and conversations into one single platform that is easily accessible on a mobile device, tablet, PC, or browser.
MS Teams provides the students with an actual feel of a classroom while allowing instructors to create their class, add selected students, share lessons, create assignments, collaborate virtually in real-time, and offer personalized feedback in one platform. The best part about MS Teams’ web conferencing features is that learners can share screens and record calls.
Integrating a Learning Management System with MS Teams.
Each function of the LMS ranging from a content catalog, video library, assessments, and surveys can be accessed right within the MS Teams interface. MS Teams provides a tab interface to present external applications’ data within MS teams. Learners can receive notifications within the chat experience including reminders for completing the unfinished learning.
With single sign-on where the learners can connect to the LMS features, courses, and learning resources seamlessly within a familiar user interface. Learners can search for courses, enroll, consume all forms of learning content, and view their progress. They can earn points and badges for completing their courses. They can review, comment, and share the learning resources with their peers.
Conclusion
MS Teams ecosystem will continue to expand with more and more applications, data, and information integrated right into the daily workflow. Learning Management System and MS Teams integration provide an ideal combination that enables learning, collaboration, communication in an integrated environment.
Instancy Learning Management System MS Teams App brings together the best of team collaboration and eLearning in a single user interface. To discuss how we can help you create a viable blended learning experience, please schedule a free consultation with one of our learning consultant, please click https://www.instancy.com/schedule-meeting.html
