1. Description of Workshop
This two-day, hands-on intensive is designed for educators with little to no experience using the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. The workshop moves from the basics of digital communication in Microsoft Teams to the secure file management and collaborative power of Microsoft SharePoint. By the end of the session, teachers will have a fully functional "Sandbox" classroom and a streamlined system for distributing and grading digital work.
2. Projected Date/Time
Date: Pre-Semester PD day/July or August for upcoming school year
Duration: 2 Days (Consecutive)
Daily Schedule: 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM (6.5 hours per day, including lunch and breaks)
Total Contact Hours: 11 Instructional Hours
3. Learning Objectives
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
Navigate the Teams interface and manage channel-based communication.
Differentiate between channel-based and direct communication
Distribute, collect, and grade digital assignments within the Microsoft ecosystem.
Distinguish between "working files" and "read-only resources" using SharePoint permissions.
Co-author documents in real-time with colleagues and students.
Implement "Reflect" check-ins to monitor student emotional well-being.
4. Tools and Links
Hardware: Laptop with webcam, Mobile device with permissions to install applications
Software: Microsoft Teams Desktop App, Microsoft Teams Mobile App, Choice of Web Browser
Links:
Microsoft Educator Center (For self-paced follow-up)
Teams for Education Quick Start Guide (From University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)
Workshop Activities
Demonstration of Communication Barriers: 5 volunteers experience communication difficulties via a blindfold, earmuffs, and physical distance. Allow volunteers to use tools (walkie-talkies, dry erase board, etc.) to aid in communication
The "Student Experience" Simulation: Teachers join a mock team as students to see how notifications and assignments appear from the child's perspective.
This simulation may also be conducted using the Teams Mobile App
The "Great Upload" Sprint: A timed activity where teachers move three existing lesson plans from their desktop/USB into a secured SharePoint folder.
This activity will lead into SharePoint permissions and other features.
Breakout Room Jigsaw: Small groups collaborate on a single PowerPoint deck simultaneously to experience real-time co-authoring.
The Sandbox Build: Dedicated 90-minute block on Day 2 to set up actual "Live" channels for the upcoming semester.
Teacher Completion Requirements
To receive credit for the workshop, participants must fulfill the following:
Full Attendance: Check-in at the start of both days.
The "Checklist" Submission: Upload a screenshot of their newly created "Sandbox Team" with at least one announcement and one mock assignment posted.
Rewards:
Completion Certificate: Professional Development (PD) credit hours certificate.
The "Grand Raffle": Each completed "Sandbox Task" earns a ticket toward a drawing for classroom tech (e.g. a wireless presenter remote).