MS Teams

Move from Collaborate to Microsoft Teams for Online Teaching

Announcement, Collaborate, MS Teams /
Remote work, online meeting, video conference, virtual team, office desk, illustration - AdobeStock image by Shawn

Following a review of tools used for online teaching, the University has agreed to move from Collaborate to Microsoft Teams. This decision was confirmed at LTSEC on 20 May.

Our current contract with Collaborate will end in August 2026, after which Teams will become the University’s primary platform for online teaching from 1 September 2026.

The decision reflects a balanced assessment of several factors. While cost and long-term value were important considerations, it was equally significant that the core teaching functionality offered through Collaborate is now available within Teams. This provides a more integrated, familiar environment for both staff and students, bringing online teaching into the same platform already widely used for collaboration across the University.

It was also recognised that continuing with Collaborate would require a move to a newer version in the near future. This version differs substantially from the current system in terms of features and usability, meaning staff would be adapting to a significantly different platform regardless. Given this, transitioning to Teams now offers a clearer and more consistent direction.

Staff feedback has been a key part of the process. Many colleagues are already confidently using Teams for teaching, and overall sentiment supported the move. Where concerns were raised, such as managing student interactions, these can be addressed through appropriate configuration of Teams to ensure sessions remain structured and manageable.

What does this mean for me?

Staff will need to familiarise themselves with using Teams for teaching ahead of the new academic year. Support will be available to ensure a smooth transition. Digital Services and the Technology Enhanced Learning Unit will provide training, guidance, and resources for both staff and students over the coming months, with further details shared via the staff bulletin, TEL and Digital Services websites, and iTrent.

Furthermore, any recordings made in Collaborate that you would like to retain will need to be moved to Panopto before the end of August. Please see the previous TEL blog post that covers this topic, with instructions.

This change represents a positive step towards a more unified and sustainable digital teaching environment, with the tools, support, and flexibility needed to deliver high-quality online learning.

Move from Collaborate to Microsoft Teams for Online Teaching Read More »

Teams for Teaching: We Need Your Feedback 

Announcement, Blackboard, Collaborate, MS Teams /

We’re starting the process of moving from Blackboard Class Collaborate to Microsoft Teams, and we’d really value your input. In its place, we’ll be supporting the Microsoft Teams integration within Blackboard as the primary tool for online teaching, tutorials, and live sessions. 

Many of you are already using Teams for learning and teaching and we’d like to hear more about your experiences so far. To help us understand what’s working well (and what isn’t), we’ve put together a short questionnaire.  Your feedback will play a key role in shaping the support, resources, and training we provide over the coming months.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to share your thoughts.  

Teams use within Teaching and Learning – Fill out form

Teams for Teaching: We Need Your Feedback  Read More »

Vevox and MS Teams: Why not sign up for one of our online TEL workshops?

Blackboard, MS Teams, Training, Vevox /

Would you like to know more about how Vevox polling can increase engagement in your lectures, or how you can configure MS Teams from within Blackboard? If so, why not sign up for a training session via iTrent.

Lecturer with students around them using Vevox on devices

What is Vevox?

Vevox is a live polling and Q&A tool that works on any device. Students can answer polls, submit questions, vote in word clouds, or take part in quizzes – all in real time. It’s a quick way to make sessions more interactive and fun – giving everyone a voice.

Microsoft Teams

We’re excited to provide training for the new integration that brings Microsoft Teams directly into Blackboard Ultra. This means staff and students can access Teams meetings and collaboration spaces without leaving the Ultra environment.

Session details:

The sessions are both via MS teams and are being delivered on the following dates/times:

Vevox – Increasing Student Engagement       18th February   12:30 – 13:30

Configuring MS Teams in Blackboard              4th March          12:30 – 13:30

To sign up for a session, access the staff portal. On the ‘Staff’ page select iTrent, and click on ‘Learning’ in the left hand menu.

Vevox and MS Teams: Why not sign up for one of our online TEL workshops? Read More »

Microsoft Teams now available in Blackboard Ultra

Announcement, Blackboard, MS Teams /

We’re excited to announce the launch of a new integration that brings Microsoft Teams directly into Blackboard Ultra. This means staff and students can now access Teams meetings and collaboration spaces without leaving the Ultra environment.

The integration offers a familiar interface for many users, with the added benefit of streamlined scheduling and access to Teams meetings from within Ultra modules.

Beyond usability, this offers the potential opportunity to replace Collaborate with a more robust, widely supported platform for online learning, which is already included in the university’s Microsoft 365 licence.

There was an introductory session with Justine Walker and Darren Cooper on the 4th December. This outlined the basic use of Teams through Blackboard, and included discussions around teaching and learning applications. Please see a link to the recording of the session below:

LDTE Connect & Deliver Teams Integration Essentials with Blackboard.mp4

Other support resources and guidance for using Teams in Ultra are available in our Blackboard manual:

https://lttu.uk/support/Blackboard/UltraManual/teams-meetings

If you have any further queries, please feel free to contact us at tel@worc.ac.uk

Digital Services also offers a variety of resources on the IT Service website to assist users in using Microsoft Teams. The Microsoft Teams – Guide Page, Microsoft Teams – Training Page, and Microsoft Teams – FAQ Pages provide comprehensive guides, training materials, and general information regarding Microsoft Teams.

Additionally, Digital Services is planning to launch a ‘Making the most of Microsoft Teams’ workshop, which will cover all features and options available in team meetings. These workshops will appear in the iTrent training page.

Microsoft Teams now available in Blackboard Ultra Read More »