# Microsoft Teams Basics

Microsoft Teams is FVSD's primary tool for video meetings, chat, and collaboration. This guide covers the essentials.

## Accessing Teams

- **Desktop app** — pre-installed on your FVSD computer
- **Web app** — go to [https://teams.microsoft.com](https://teams.microsoft.com) and sign in with your FVSD account
- **Mobile app** — available on iOS and Android

## Chat

### Sending a Message

1. Click **Chat** on the left sidebar
2. Click **New chat** (pencil icon at the top)
3. Type the person's name or email address
4. Type your message and press **Enter** to send

### Group Chat

1. Start a new chat
2. Add multiple people in the **To** field
3. You can name the group chat by clicking the pencil icon next to the participant names

## Meetings

### Joining a Meeting

- Click the **meeting link** in your calendar invitation or email
- Or go to **Calendar** in Teams and click **Join** on the meeting

### Starting a Meeting

1. Go to **Calendar** in Teams
2. Click **New meeting**
3. Add a title, participants, date, and time
4. Click **Save** — participants will receive a calendar invitation with a join link

### During a Meeting

- **Mute/unmute** — click the microphone icon
- **Camera on/off** — click the camera icon
- **Share your screen** — click the **Share** button and select your screen or a specific window
- **Chat** — click the chat icon to send messages during the meeting
- **Raise hand** — click the hand icon to get the presenter's attention
## Teams (Groups)

You may be a member of one or more Teams based on your school or role. These are shared spaces for files, conversations, and collaboration.

- **Posts** — group conversations visible to all team members
- **Files** — shared documents stored in SharePoint (accessible through Teams)
- **Channels** — sub-sections within a Team for organizing topics

## Common Questions

**Q: I'm not receiving Teams notifications.**

A: Check your notification settings: click the **three dots (...)** next to your profile picture > **Settings** > **Notifications**. Make sure notifications are turned on for messages and meetings.

**Q: I can't hear anyone in a meeting (or they can't hear me).**

A: Check that your microphone and speakers are set correctly: click the **three dots (...)** in a meeting > **Device settings**. Make sure the correct microphone and speaker are selected. Test them before the meeting starts.

**Q: How do I share a file in Teams?**

A: In a chat or channel, click the **paperclip icon** (Attach) and choose to upload from your computer or browse OneDrive/SharePoint.

**Q: I accidentally left a Team — how do I rejoin?**

A: Some Teams are assigned automatically based on your role. If you were removed or left accidentally, contact IT or the Team owner to be re-added.

## Contact IT

- **Submit a ticket** through the IT helpdesk
- **Email:** helpdesk@fvsd.ab.ca