Presenter Mode: Share Content Like A Pro in Microsoft Teams
Let’s face it—traditional screen sharing can feel a little...flat. You’ve got great ideas, compelling visuals, and a message that matters. So why settle for a tiny video box in the corner of a static slide? Enter Presenter Mode in Microsoft Teams: the game-changing feature that transforms your presentations from basic to brilliant. Whether you're pitching to clients, leading a workshop, or hosting a team meeting, Presenter Mode gives you the power to control how your video feed and shared content appear together—so your audience stays engaged and your message lands with impact. Choose Your Presentation Style Presenter Mode offers three dynamic layouts, each designed to elevate your delivery: Standout Mode: Think virtual weathercaster. Your video feed is layered in front of your shared content, so you’re literally part of the presentation. It’s perfect for storytelling, product demos, or any moment where your presence adds punch. Side-by-Side Mode: Your video and content appear next to each other, giving your audience a clear view of both. Ideal for walkthroughs, tutorials, or collaborative sessions where you want to maintain eye contact while guiding viewers through your material. Reporter Mode: Channel your inner news anchor. Your content is framed like a broadcast, with your video positioned in a sleek overlay. This mode is great for formal presentations, announcements, or executive briefings. Customize Your Background Want to add a touch of branding or set the tone for your session? Presenter Mode lets you upload a custom background that complements your theme, company identity, or event vibe. Whether it’s a sleek corporate look or a playful design for a creative workshop, your presentation instantly feels more polished and professional. Why It Matters Presenter Mode isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about connection. When your audience can see you clearly and follow your content effortlessly, engagement goes up. You become more than a voice behind the slides—you become the storyteller, the guide, the expert. How to Use Presenter Mode Start or join a meeting in Microsoft Teams using the desktop app. Click Share Content in the meeting controls. Select Presenter Mode and pick your preferred layout. 4. Add a custom background if desired. Choose your screen or window to share. And you are ready to go! Pro Tip: Practice switching between modes before your big presentation. Each layout serves a different purpose and knowing when to use which can make your delivery feel seamless and intentional. In conclusion, with Presenter Mode in Microsoft Teams, you’re not just sharing content—you’re commanding attention. Try it out in your next meeting and see the difference for yourself.Tag, You’re It: Wrangling Communication in Microsoft Teams
In the ever-growing jungle of workplace chats, channels, and notifications, it’s easy to feel like you’re shouting into the void. You need to reach the marketing team—but not all of them. Or maybe just the shift leads. Or the folks who speak Spanish. Enter: Tags in Microsoft Teams. Tags are the underrated heroes of streamlined communication. They let you group people by role, skill, location—whatever makes sense for your team—and then @mention that group in a flash. No more hunting down names or copy-pasting long lists. Just tag and go. What Are Tags, Really? Tags in Teams are custom labels you assign to users within a team. Think of them like nicknames for groups. Once set up, you can use them to: @mention a group in a channel or chat (e.g., @DesignTeam) Start a group chat with everyone under that tag Organize roles like “Shift Supervisor” or “Remote Workers” It’s like having your own mini directory—tailored to how your team actually works. How to Set Up Tags Setting up tags is easy, but you’ll need to be a team owner to do it. Here’s the quick rundown: Go to your team in Microsoft Teams. Click the three dots next to the team’s name and select Manage tags. Choose Create tag, give it a name, and add members. 4. Once your Tag is created it will show accordingly. Done! You can now @mention the tag in any channel within that team. Pro tip: You can create multiple tags for the same person. So, someone can be tagged as both marketing and Hr. Why Tags Matter Tags aren’t just a neat trick—they solve real problems: Faster communication: No more typing out 10 names to notify a group. Better targeting: Reach only the people who need to know. Smarter organization: Customize tags to fit your team’s structure. Whether you're managing a retail staff, coordinating a global project, or just trying to keep your sanity in a busy channel, tags help cut through the clutter. Conclusion In the fast-paced world of digital collaboration, clarity is king—and tags in Microsoft Teams are your secret weapon. They cut through the noise, helping you reach the right people at the right time without endless scrolling or message overload. Think of tags like shortcuts to smarter teamwork. Whether you're rallying a crew for a quick update or looping in specialists for a project sprint, tags keep your conversations focused and your team responsive. So go ahead—tag, you’re it. Your future self (and your inbox) will thank you.
Microsoft Teams Hacks You Didn’t Know You Needed
Microsoft Teams has become the heartbeat of modern collaboration—but are you using it to its full potential? Beyond chats and video calls, Teams is packed with hidden gems and clever shortcuts that can supercharge your workflow. Whether you're a seasoned user or just getting started, these hacks will help you work smarter, not harder. 1. Use Slash Commands in the Search Bar Type / in the search bar at the top of Teams to unlock a powerful list of quick commands that help you get things done faster. Some handy examples include: /busy – Instantly set your status to “Busy” so teammates know you’re heads-down. /Wikipedia Search – Find and share articles from Wikipedia without leaving Teams. /YouTube – Search for videos and even watch them together during meetings. 2. Pin Important Chats and Channels Keep your most-used conversations at the top by right-clicking and selecting “Pin”. No more scrolling through endless lists. 3. Use the “Immersive Reader” for Focused Reading Click the three dots (More actions) next to a message, then select Immersive Reader to view the text in a clean, distraction-free format—perfect for long or complex messages. 4. Integrate Your Favorite Apps Teams isn’t just for Microsoft tools—you can add apps like Trello, Asana, or even YouTube directly into channels. Just click “+” at the top of a channel to explore integrations. 5. Pop Out Chats and Meetings Need to multitask? The Open in new window feature in Microsoft Teams lets you seamlessly manage chats, meetings, apps, and channel conversations—without losing your place. With just a click, you can pop out key elements into separate windows and keep your workflow moving. 6. Search Smarter Use filters in the search bar to find messages, files, or people. You can even search by date, sender, or keyword. Conclusion: Microsoft Teams is more than just a meeting platform—it's a productivity powerhouse hiding in plain sight. By tapping into these lesser-known features and shortcuts, you can transform the way you collaborate, communicate, and manage your day-to-day tasks. From slash commands to immersive reading and app integrations, these hacks are designed to help you reclaim your time and sharpen your focus. So go ahead—pin those chats, pop out those windows, and search like a pro. The more you explore, the more you'll realize that Teams isn’t just a tool—it’s your secret weapon for working smarter.How to Turn Off Teams Notifications During Meetings
How to Turn Off Teams Notifications During Meetings (and Avoid Awkward Pop-Ups While Sharing Your Screen) Introduction: We've all been there—you’re sharing your screen in a Microsoft Teams meeting, and a chat notification pops up from a coworker, your manager, or even worse… your group chat. While Microsoft Teams doesn’t automatically suppress all notifications during meetings or screen sharing, you can take control of what appears and when. In this post, I’ll show you a few easy ways to keep notifications silent and off-screen while you're presenting, focusing, or just trying to stay distraction-free. Do Notifications Automatically Mute During Screen Sharing? Short answer: No. By default, Teams will still show toast (pop-up) notifications during meetings and even while you’re sharing your screen. That includes messages, reactions, and call alerts—unless you proactively change your settings. Option 1: Turn on Focus Assist (Windows Only) If you're on Windows, Focus Assist can automatically suppress notifications system-wide—including Teams. How to Use It: Click the notification icon in the bottom-right of your taskbar. Click Focus Assist until it shows "Alarms only" or "Priority only." OR go to Settings > System > Focus Assist to set rules like: Turn on automatically when duplicating your display During specific hours When using an app in full screen Note: Users can set up a rule to enable Focus Assist during meetings automatically from your calendar. Option 2: Use Teams’ Built-In Do Not Disturb Mode Click your profile picture in Teams. Set your status to Do Not Disturb. While DND is on, Teams suppresses all toast notifications. Want to still get alerts from your boss or a specific team? Go to Settings > Privacy > Manage priority access Add individuals whose messages will bypass DND Option 3: Mute Notifications Per Meeting (Temporary) If you just want to mute notifications for a short time: Go to Settings > Notifications Scroll to Meetings and Calls Set “Mute notifications during meetings and calls” to On ⚠️ This doesn’t always prevent all pop-ups, so DND is more reliable for screen sharing. Option 4: Close the Chat Window When Sharing If you’re only worried about chat pop-ups, consider: Closing the Chat pane before sharing your screen Sharing a specific window, not your entire desktop That way, even if a notification comes in, it won’t be shown to everyone watching. Quick Checklist Before You Present: Task Why It Helps Set Teams to "Do Not Disturb" Blocks all notifications Turn on Focus Assist (Windows) Mutes all pop-ups Share specific window, not full screen Limits what viewers see Close Chat pane in Teams Avoids preview messages showing up Mute notifications in Settings Extra layer of safety Conclusion Whether you’re leading a webinar, pitching a client, or just trying to focus in a meeting, managing Teams notifications is a small tweak that saves a lot of headaches (and awkward moments). Set up your preferences once—and thank yourself later.How to Switch Between Multiple Organizations in Microsoft Teams
Introduction: If you collaborate with multiple companies, clients, or nonprofits, you’ve likely been invited to more than one Microsoft Teams organization (aka “tenant”). While Teams is a powerful tool for collaboration, switching between orgs isn’t always intuitive—and can slow you down if you’re not set up properly. In this blog, I’ll walk you through how to manage and switch between multiple organizations in Microsoft Teams smoothly—on both desktop and mobile. What Is an "Organization" in Teams? Each Microsoft 365 account is tied to a single organization (or tenant). When you're added to another org’s Teams environment, you're technically a guest there. Teams allows you to toggle between these orgs, but the interface isn’t always user-friendly, and you can easily miss notifications or messages if you're not careful. How to Switch Organizations on Teams Desktop App Open Microsoft Teams (desktop or web). In the top-right corner, click on your profile picture. Under your name, you’ll see a list of all the organizations you’re a member of. Click the name of the org you want to switch to. Teams will reload in that environment. Note: Each time you switch, Teams refreshes—so it can take a few seconds. switched organization shown below Switching Orgs on the Teams Mobile App Tap your profile picture in the top-left corner. Under your name, tap the dropdown arrow to view other organizations. Select the org you want to access. Note: On mobile, switching is usually faster than on desktop, and it’s a good backup when you cannot access your computer. Other Tips for Managing Multiple Orgs ✅ Use the Web App in Parallel Open teams.microsoft.com in a browser for one org while using the desktop app for another. This is especially helpful if you're constantly jumping back and forth. 🔔 Don't Miss Notifications Teams doesn’t show notifications from orgs you’re not actively in. Use the Activity Feed in each org to catch up when you switch. On mobile, you can enable notifications for all orgs (Settings > Notifications > Accounts). 💼 Keep Track of Which Org You're In Customize your Teams theme for each org to help visually differentiate them. Add org initials or emojis in team names (if you’re an admin) to make switching less confusing. 🧹 Leave Orgs You No Longer Use If you’re no longer collaborating with a tenant, go to myaccount.microsoft.com/organizations and remove your access. 🧠 Bonus: Using Multiple Desktops or Profiles If you’re more advanced, consider: Creating browser profiles (Chrome/Edge) for each org. Running Teams in multiple desktop user accounts or Microsoft Edge side-by-side mode. Wrapping Up Switching orgs in Teams is a necessary evil for consultants, volunteers, and cross-org collaborators. With the right habits—like using browser tabs, enabling notifications, and customizing views—you can stay productive without missing a beat.📢New in Microsoft Teams: Introducing Storyline – A Fresh Way to Share Updates & Stay Connected
Microsoft Teams has just rolled out a new feature that blends professional updates with a social media twist—meet Storyline. With hybrid work here to stay, staying visible and connected across distributed teams is more important than ever. That’s where Storyline comes in—a space within Teams where you can share posts, articles, and updates just like you would on LinkedIn or Yammer, but directly inside your organization. Here’s what you need to know. What is Storyline in Microsoft Teams? Storyline is a personal feed designed to help users: Share professional updates and experiences Follow leaders and coworkers for insights and news Create content that others in the organization can engage with Unlike chats or Teams channels, Storyline is tied to individuals, giving you a dedicated space to share your work wins, reflections, lessons learned, or even shout-outs to teammates. 🛠️Key Features Follow Updates in Activity You can follow coworkers and leaders in your org, and their Storyline posts will appear in your Activity feed—just like posts on a social platform. Post Articles and Updates Have something to share? Storyline lets you create posts (similar to blog updates or short articles) that reach your audience and followers across the company. Your Storyline = Your Self Chat Your Storyline content is viewable in your chat with self—a neat way to reflect on your personal journey or manage your posts in one place. 💡Why It Matters Storyline brings a new layer of internal visibility to Teams. Whether you’re: A manager sharing leadership updates A teammate highlighting project progress A new hire reflecting on onboarding Storyline helps you build a digital presence and stay connected with your org beyond meetings and team channels. Getting Started Once enabled by your IT admin, you’ll see a prompt like the one above in your Teams app. Just click “Got it” to activate and begin sharing. 🔒Admin Tip: Managing Storyline for Your Org Admins can control Storyline availability in the Microsoft Teams Admin Center. If you're not seeing the option, check with your IT team—it may need to be enabled. Manage and set up storyline in Viva Engage Manage Viva Engage experiences in Microsoft Teams Final Thoughts Storyline brings a lightweight, human-centered way to share knowledge, updates, and personal growth moments across the organization. Think of it as your internal LinkedIn wall—right inside Teams. Try it out, follow a few teammates, and make your first post. Your future self (and your coworkers) will thank you.Integrating Moodle with Microsoft 365 for a Seamless Learning Experience (part 1)
For nonprofits using Moodle on Azure, integrating it with Microsoft 365 can enhance collaboration, file management, and reporting. By connecting Moodle with Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, and Power BI, educators and administrators can streamline the learning experience, making it more interactive and data-driven. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of integrating Moodle with Microsoft’s powerful tools. I. Why Integrate Moodle with Microsoft 365? ✅ Single Sign-On (SSO) – Enable Microsoft Entra ID [renamed from Azure Active Directory (Azure AD)] for authentication so users can log in to Moodle using their Microsoft 365 credentials. ✅ Collaboration with Microsoft Teams – Allow students to access Moodle courses directly within Teams and join live video sessions. ✅ Seamless File Management with OneDrive – Let teachers and students upload, store, and share files through OneDrive, eliminating the need for manual downloads. ✅ Advanced Reporting with Power BI – Use Moodle’s learning analytics in Power BI to track student progress and course performance. II. Setting Up Microsoft 365 Integration in Moodle (This is specific to the integration offered, and not the built in features with M365) Step 1: Enable Microsoft Entra ID for Single Sign-On Microsoft Entra ID integration allows users to log into Moodle using their Microsoft 365 accounts, making authentication seamless. 🔹 Go to Moodle Admin Panel → Navigate to Site Administration > Plugins > Authentication 🔹 Enable OAuth 2 Authentication → Click OAuth 2 Services and select Microsoft 🔹 You may need to enable OAuth2 first before it appears in the Plugin menu: Go to Plugins > Authentication > Manage Authentication 🔹Register Moodle as an App in Microsoft Entra ID: 1️⃣ Sign in to the Azure Portal 2️⃣ Navigate to Microsoft Entra ID > App registrations > New Registration 3️⃣ Add Moodle’s URL as the Redirect URI 4️⃣ Generate an Application (client) ID and paste it into Moodle’s OAuth settings 🔹 Save changes and test login with a Microsoft 365 account. Step 2: Setting Up OpenID Connect in Moodle OpenID Connect is a standard authentication protocol that provides single-sign-on (SSO) functionality using configurable identity providers. The OpenID Connect plugin for Moodle is part of the Microsoft 365 suite of plugins and is used to connect Moodle to Microsoft Entra ID for seamless authentication. How to Set Up OpenID Connect in Moodle: 1️⃣ Ensure Moodle is registered as an App in Microsoft Entra ID (Step 1 above). 2️⃣ Enable OpenID Connect in Moodle: 🔹 Log in to Moodle as an Admin 🔹 Navigate to Site Administration > Plugins > Authentication > Manage Authentication 🔹 Enable OAuth 2 Authentication and select Microsoft as the service 🔹 Go to Site Administration > Plugins > Authentication > OpenID Connect 🔹 Paste the Application ID and Key generated in the Azure Portal into Moodle’s OAuth settings 🔹 Save changes and test login with a Microsoft 365 account. By setting up OpenID Connect, nonprofits ensure a secure, user-friendly login experience for their educators and learners. III. Benefits of Microsoft 365 Integration for Nonprofits By integrating Moodle with Microsoft 365, nonprofits can: ✅ Improve Security – Utilize Azure AD authentication to enforce role-based access control. ✅ Leverage Microsoft’s Nonprofit Benefits – Use Azure credits and Microsoft 365 grants to keep LMS costs low. IV. Conclusion: Take Moodle to the Next Level with Microsoft 365 Integrating Moodle with Microsoft 365 offers nonprofits the tools to create a more engaging and collaborative learning environment. Beyond the technical setup, these integrations also enable nonprofits to unlock Microsoft’s nonprofit benefits, reducing costs and ensuring long-term sustainability for their learning management system. Ready to transform your nonprofit’s e-learning experience? Start integrating today and take your Moodle platform to the next level with the full power of Microsoft 365. Now, lets delve into Connecting Moodle with Microsoft Teams, and the Teams bot. Integrating Moodle with Microsoft 365 for a Seamless Learning Experience (part 2) | Microsoft Community HubUnlock the Power of Webinars with Microsoft Teams for Nonprofits (With Video Tutorial)
Webinars are an excellent way to engage with your audience, share knowledge, and promote your brand. Microsoft Teams makes it easy to create and manage webinars with its robust features and seamless integration with Microsoft 365. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started, based on resources from Microsoft Learn. Step 1: Set Up Your Webinar Open Microsoft Teams: Launch the Microsoft Teams application on your device. Navigate to the Calendar: Click on the Calendar icon on the left-hand side of the Teams interface. If the Calendar option is not visible, click on the three dots (ellipsis) on the left-hand side to access additional applications. Create a New Webinar: Click on the arrow next to "New meeting" and select "Webinar" from the dropdown menu. Step 2: Customize the Registration Form Enter Webinar Details: Fill in the title, date, start and end times, and a description for your webinar. Add Co-organizers: Specify who will help you manage the webinar Add Presenters: Specify who will present during the webinar by adding their email addresses in the "Presenters" field. Step 3: Configure Event Options Set Meeting Options: Configure the meeting options such as mics, Q&A. Click on Edit more options to control who can bypass the lobby, Production Tools and other settings to ensure a smooth webinar experience. Step 4: Set up Presenter Bios To set up presenter bios in Microsoft Teams, follow these steps: Go to Presenter bios under the Setup section. If you haven't already added a presenter, you'll be prompted to go add one Find the presenter you want to add a bio for and select Edit. Fill in details about the presenter, such as their image, email, job title, and a description about them. When you're finished, select Save. Step 5: Set up Your Theme Click on Theming to set up your logo, Banner image and Theme color. Step 6: Set up Configurations for registrations Event Limit: Set a maximum number of registrants to manage the size of your webinar audience. The maximum capacity for a webinar is 1000 Registration Form: Add fields to form to gather information about potential attendees and understand your audience better. Step 7: Publish your registration site View Registration Page: By selecting 'View Draft,' you can thoroughly review and verify all details to ensure everything is accurate and ready before going live. Publish the Event: Once you've filled out the webinar details and registration form, publish it to make it discoverable by potential attendees. Share the Registration Link: Copy the registration link from your Teams calendar and share it via email, social media, or your website to gather an audience. Conclusion Creating a webinar in Microsoft Teams is a straightforward process that allows you to connect with your audience effectively. By following these steps, you can set up, promote, and host a successful webinar that engages your audience and achieves your goals. Whether you're a business professional, nonprofit educator, or event organizer, Microsoft Teams provides all the tools you need to deliver a seamless and impactful webinar experience. References Overview of meetings, webinars, and town halls - Microsoft Teams | Microsoft LearnMicrosoft Town Hall Meetings: What They Are and How to Set One Up (With Video Tutorial)
Microsoft Teams offers a robust platform for hosting town hall meetings, providing features that facilitate large-scale, interactive events. Town hall meetings are ideal for company-wide updates, community engagement, and open forums where participants can ask questions and share feedback. Here’s a comprehensive guide and video tutorial on Microsoft Town Hall Meetings and how to set one up. Video Tutorial: Written Guide: What is a Microsoft Town Hall Meeting? A town hall meeting in Microsoft Teams is designed for large-scale, interactive discussions. These meetings can host up to 10,000 attendees, or up to 50,000 attendees with Teams Premium. Town hall meetings are optimal for sharing content across large audiences, making them perfect for organizational updates, milestone celebrations, and extensive event coverage. Key Features of Microsoft Town Hall Meetings Presenter Spotlight: Highlight up to seven presenters' video feeds at once, ensuring key speakers are front and center. Translated Captions: Break down language barriers with live translated captions available in multiple languages. Q&A and Engagement: Engage attendees through Q&A, chat, reactions, and hand raises. Recording and Reports: Publish event recordings and access post-event attendee reports to gain insights into participation and engagement. Steps to Set Up a Microsoft Town Hall Meeting 1. Schedule the Town Hall Open Teams Calendar: Go to your Teams calendar. Select Town Hall: Click the arrow next to "New meeting" and select "Town hall" from the dropdown menu. Enter Event Details: Fill in the event title, start and end date, description, and designate presenters. 2. Configure Meeting Options Add Co-organizers and Presenters: Search and select co-organizers and presenters from your organization. You can also add external presenters. Set Event Access: Choose whether your event will be available to your organization, the public, or specific people and groups. Customize Meeting Options: Adjust settings such as enabling the Green Room, managing attendee engagement through Q&A, and setting security options. 3. Send Invitations Invite Attendees: Search and select people you want to send event invites to. You can add distribution lists, Microsoft 365 security groups, and individual email addresses. Publish the Event: Save and publish the event to schedule it and send invitations to attendees. 4. Prepare for the Meeting Test Equipment: Ensure all technical equipment, such as microphones, cameras, and internet connections, are working properly. Set Up the Green Room: Use the Green Room to prepare with other presenters before the event starts. 5. Start the Meeting Join the Meeting: Go to your Teams calendar, select the town hall event, and click "Join". Start the Meeting: Once you are ready, select "Start meeting" to bring attendees into the event. The event recording will start automatically. 6. Manage the Event Engage Attendees: Use features like Q&A, polls, and live captions to engage attendees during the event. Monitor Participation: Keep track of attendee engagement and manage any issues that arise during the meeting. 7. Post-Event Activities Access Reports and Recordings: After the event, access attendee reports and recordings. Publish the recording to share with attendees. Follow-Up: Send follow-up emails with meeting minutes, action items, and any additional information discussed. Conclusion Microsoft Teams offers a comprehensive suite of tools for hosting town hall meetings, making it easier to engage large audiences and share important updates. By scheduling the event, configuring meeting options, sending invitations, preparing for the meeting, starting the event, managing engagement, and conducting post-event activities, you can ensure a successful town hall meeting that meets your goals and resonates with your audience. Start planning your Microsoft Teams town hall meeting today and create a platform for meaningful conversations and community building!Transform Your Virtual Meetings: Unlock the Power of Avatars in Microsoft Teams
Why Use Avatars in Microsoft Teams? Nonprofit organizations often operate with diverse teams spread across various locations. Virtual meetings can sometimes feel impersonal, and not everyone may feel comfortable using their video cameras for a variety of reasons. Avatars offer a middle ground, allowing participants to present a digital version of themselves that reflects their individuality while maintaining privacy. Here’s how avatars can make a difference: Encourage Participation: Team members who are camera-shy or working in less-than-ideal settings can actively engage in meetings without the pressure of being on camera. Boost Team Morale: Customizable avatars add a fun and creative dimension to meetings, encouraging interaction and reducing virtual fatigue. Promote Inclusivity: With diverse customization and accessibility features, avatars ensure that everyone feels represented. Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Avatars in Microsoft Teams Follow these steps to create and customize your avatar in Microsoft Teams: 1. Get the Avatars App To start creating your avatar, first ensure you have the Avatars app installed in Microsoft Teams. If it’s not already available: Open Microsoft Teams and navigate to the "Apps" section from the sidebar. Search for "Avatars" and click "Add" to install the app. 2. Open the Avatar Creation Interface Once the app is installed, access it directly within Teams: Locate the Avatars app from the sidebar and open it. This will take you to the avatar creation interface, where you can begin customizing your avatar. 3. Customize Your Avatar Now comes the fun part—customizing your avatar to reflect your personality or align with your professional image. The Avatars app offers a wide range of options, including: Facial Features: Adjust skin tone, facial shape, eyes, eyebrows, and more to create a look that represents you. Hairstyles and Colors: Choose from various hairstyles, lengths, and colors to match your real-life or imagined look. Clothing and Accessories: Pick outfits and accessories that align with your organization’s values or your personal style. Backgrounds and Props: Add backgrounds and props that resonate with your work, such as a library for education-focused nonprofits or a garden for environmental organizations. 4. Save and Preview Your Avatar Once you’ve customized your avatar, save your changes and preview it to ensure it meets your expectations. You can make adjustments at any time to refine its appearance. 5. Use Your Avatar in Meetings To activate your avatar during a meeting: Join a Microsoft Teams meeting as you normally would. Before turning on your camera, select the "Avatar" option instead. Your avatar will appear on screen, complete with animations and gestures. Real-Life Examples: The Impact of Avatars on Collaboration Nonprofit organizations have embraced avatars in creative and impactful ways. Here are a few examples: Team Bonding Sessions: A youth-focused nonprofit used avatars during virtual icebreaker sessions. Team members customized avatars to showcase their hobbies and interests, sparking conversations and building stronger connections. Inclusive Meetings: An accessibility advocacy group incorporated avatars to accommodate team members who preferred not to use their cameras. This ensured everyone felt comfortable participating in discussions. Volunteer Training: A disaster relief organization created avatars for their volunteers, using props and backgrounds that aligned with the organization’s mission. This added an engaging and personal touch to virtual training sessions. Exploring Customization and Accessibility Features Accessibility and representation are crucial for nonprofit teams. Microsoft Teams avatars offer features that cater to a wide range of needs: Inclusive Design: Avatars allow for the representation of different body types, ages, and cultural identities, ensuring everyone feels seen and valued. Ease of Use: The intuitive interface makes it easy for team members of all tech skill levels to create and use avatars. Assistive Technology: The avatar feature is compatible with screen readers and other assistive devices, enabling an inclusive experience for team members with disabilities. Next Steps: Resources for Further Exploration To help your nonprofit get the most out of avatars in Microsoft Teams, here are some resources to explore: Microsoft Support: Visit Microsoft’s official support page for detailed documentation and tutorials on avatars in Teams. Webinars and Training: Check out webinars hosted by Microsoft or nonprofit technology organizations to learn best practices. Community Forums: Engage with other nonprofits in online forums to exchange tips and insights on using avatars effectively. Conclusion Avatars in Microsoft Teams are more than just a fun feature—they’re a powerful tool for fostering inclusivity, creativity, and connection. For nonprofit organizations, they offer a way to engage team members, volunteers, and stakeholders in a manner that’s both personal and professional. By following the steps outlined in this blog and leveraging the customization and accessibility features, your organization can unlock new potential in virtual collaboration. So why wait? Start creating your avatars today and take your virtual meetings to the next level.
