Supporting Students to Develop their Digital Literacies using Microsoft Teams

McVey, M. , Edmond, A. and Montgomery, D. (2019) Supporting Students to Develop their Digital Literacies using Microsoft Teams. ALT Winter Conference 2019, 11-12 Dec 2019.

Abstract

Supporting students in HE and FE to develop their digital literacy skills is vitally important to prepare students for the workplace. The authors have successfully implemented the use of Microsoft Teams to support digital skill development in both HE and FE settings. Building a class community is very important and can be difficult to achieve. Teams has been seen to improve communication between students and staff and facilitates communication and collaboration between students within an online community. It was found to be especially useful when students are undertaking an online course or when used with courses that include off-campus placements. Use of the Teams App also provides a coursework communication opportunity, accessible via mobile devices, in a format that is familiar and intuitive to most students. To adequately prepare students for the workplace it is important that they have many opportunities to use and develop their digital literacies. The ability and willingness to continually adapt to changes and further develop these skills will be vital throughout their careers. The authors will share their positive experiences of using Teams in a variety of situations including: Facilitation of small group work projects to encourage interaction between students, Encouraging class discussion and giving students a voice in situations where using the VLE had previously been unsuccessful; Allow students maintain a link with staff and peers during work placement. The advantages of how using the informal conversations in Teams has allowed staff to meet the varying needs of students will be discussed. We will provide examples of how we have used Teams to support students to develop their digital literacies in a range of learning activities. We will also discuss the digital skills required by students to work in this way along with evidence of how students work online, illustrating the hidden learning space.

• Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item
• Keywords: Microsoft Teams Digital Literacies
• Status: Published
• Refereed: No
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Montgomery, Miss Diane and McVey, Dr Mary and Edmond, Dr Avril
• Authors: McVey, M., Edmond, A., and Montgomery, D.
• Subjects: Q Science > Q Science (General)
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Life Sciences

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