What is Microsoft 365 and what is it for?

Microsoft 365 includes a suite of applications that can be used for collaborative learning. If you are familiar with using Google applications for collaboration, you will find that Microsoft applications offer comparable features. 

How can you use Microsoft 365 applications for teaching?

You can use the following Microsoft applications for real-time co-authoring, collaboration and brainstorming in your classes. Documents created in MS Word, Excel and Powerpoint can be saved in OneDrive to be shared with others for real time collaboration. (If you are familiar with Google Docs, Google Slides, and Google Sheet, these tools are comparable). Below are some guidelines to get you started.

• Uploading and saving files and folders to OneDrive
• Setting up files and folders for collaboration

You might also want to check out Microsoft Whiteboard, a digital whiteboard. This is a great tool for collaborative and active learning. You can embed notes, images, and documents on the whiteboards for students to interact with content collaboratively.

Important note: The MS Teams application has video conferencing and file sharing features. For teaching purposes, we strongly recommend that you use Zoom for video conferencing and Canvas for file sharing in your course to maintain consistency and avoid confusion for students.

How do you access Microsoft 365?

• Log in to TUportal and under TUAPPLICATIONS on the left hand side menu, click on Microsoft Office 365.
• Alternatively, go directly to Office 365 and sign in with your TU AccessNet email and password.
• You can also use Microsoft 365 in Canvas to create collaborations for individual students or groups. 

Where can you get help for it?

Visit the Microsoft support webpage for more assistance.

• Basic training
• MS Word
• MS Excel
• MS Powerpoint
• MS Whiteboard

Additional resources

• Guidelines for using MS Teams for Teaching at Temple

Help support

• For teaching support
  • The CAT is here to help. For drop-in consultations, visit one of our Educational Technology Labs, or schedule a one-on-one consultation with an educational technology specialist.
• For technical support 
  • Temple’s Help Desk 
    • Request Help
    • Phone: 215-204-8000
    • E-mail: help@temple.edu