Microsoft Teams help centre

Computers and software

Computers and software

Microsoft 365

Microsoft Teams is a communication and collaboration tool designed to connect team members and enhance collaboration. Teams allows you to:

  • Communicate quickly with your colleagues or classmates.
  • Collaborate using familiar Microsoft services such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
  • Set up multiple “channels” (discussion areas) for your team.
  • Conduct live voice and video calls.
  • Make and receive calls to your UVic local phone number through Teams Phone.
  • Share your screen or present using PowerPoint Live.
  • Share and store files in the attached SharePoint Online site.

Using Teams at UVic

Microsoft Teams is an integral part of the Microsoft 365 environment at UVic. It's being used across campus for teaching and learning as well as administrative work by departments and research groups.

You can also use Teams to:

  • Collaborate with your department using channels, Planner, Lists, and more.
  • Integrate with your SharePoint Online site.
  • Host an online event using Teams Webinar.
  • Start a community of practice for sharing resources and knowledge with others. Like the Teams and SharePoint community and the Cascade web users community. (These links open in Microsoft Teams).

Your use of Microsoft Teams is subject to our Microsoft 365 terms of service and several UVic policies. Learn more on our privacy and security page.

Microsoft Teams supports over 700 apps. We've put together a list of apps that are compatible with our Teams environment and UVic privacy and security policies. UVic’s Microsoft 365 terms of service and referenced privacy and security policies are available for more information.

Microsoft Teams Apps available at UVic

The following list of Microsoft Teams apps are available to UVic Microsoft 365 accounts. We'll update this list periodically with new additions.

Please contact the UVic Computer Help Desk if you are interested in a Teams app not currently permitted for use.

Teaching with Teams

Teams are automatically provisioned for every CRN course. Instructors can see all their course teams on their Teams dashboard when they login to the Teams desktop application or webview through teams.microsoft.com.

Cross-listed teams (two or more CRN course teams combined into one) are created automatically when you request a cross-listed Brightspace course.

You can find quick guides and help using class style teams on the Teach Anywhere website.

Important note: You will have to activate your Team before it's visible to your students. You should see a bold purple banner across the top of your class team with an Activate button. Click that to allow your students access to the team.

If you don't want to use your course team after it's been activated, contact the Computer Help Desk to have it archived. This will leave it viewable in your hidden teams list but all activity is disabled.

How to request a team

UVic staff and faculty can request a Microsoft Team for collaboration, communication, and information sharing.

There are two types of Teams you can request. We recommend that you complete the Microsoft Teams and SharePoint site owners training course so that you are familiar with how to manage your new Team.

Departmental team

This type of team will be managed by your department's IT staff. Membership will include all people employed in your unit or department. It uses the standard team template.

Self-managed team

This type of team is best used for projects, committees, and communities that include people from all over campus. The team owner is responsible for:

  • Adding and removing members.
  • Managing team ownership permissions.
  • Curation and stewardship of team content.
  • User support within the Team.

Team template options

Some existing Teams types have been updated to include more SharePoint Online integration:

  • The standard team template is used for departmental teams.
  • The class template is used for academic courses.
  • The Professional Learning Community (PLC) template is used for academic group work outside of a CRN course.

We've also added some task-orientated templates. These are ideal for short-term projects, cross-campus working groups, or events:

  • The crisis communication and incident response templates have ready-made features for quick deployment and rapid communication.
  • The manage a project and event planning templates are designed to be collaboration spaces and leverage task tracking and news post tools.
  • The onboard employee template helps you guide new employees through your team's onboarding process.

You can see a comprehensive explanation of all the different templates on our Teams and SharePoint training site.

Sign up for Team Owner training in Brightspace

Ready to request a Team?

Request a new Team

Support for Teams

For general support about Microsoft Teams—like quick start guides and troubleshooting information—check out the Teams category on Microsoft Support.

If you're interested in learning more about how others at UVic are using Teams, join our Teams and SharePoint community of practice! This link will open Microsoft Teams.

You can ask questions, find links to internal training resources, and collaborate with your colleagues across campus.

If you need assistance with Microsoft Teams or with finding training resources, contact the Computer Help Desk.


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