Supporting Differentiated Instruction with MS Teams

Facilitator(s): Miguel Guhlin | Twitter: @mGuhlin | TechNotes Blog | 4/10/2019

Meet Justin Chando

Learning is not one-size-fits-all. Discover how you can use MS Teams to differentiate content and your teaching process to support students with different learning modalities and abilities.

Microsoft Teams is a digital hub that brings conversations, meetings, files and apps together in a single experience in Office 365 Education.

Using Teams, teachers can move quickly and easily from conversations to content creation with context, continuity, and transparency.

Let's Meet Justin Chando, guest host


  • Faster grading and submission of grades into the district’s Student Information System (SIS). The SIS connection happens via the Grade Sync tool.
  • Grading can happen via iOS and Android apps.
  • Quicker creation of new assignments and ability to categorize assignments
  • A Class Materials space that supports sharing of reference materials to guide students. This space prevents students from removing content.
  • Creation, import, and export of rubrics in Teams
  • Makes it easier for students to enroll in a class (a.k.a. “Team”) using a class code to engage in student-to-teacher chats.
  • Send audio messages in Teams
  • Calendar App in #MicrosoftTeams allows you to explore 3 new types of calendar views, the ability to go back or forward in time to see past or future meetings, and new key actions.

What is MS Teams?

Microsoft Teams saves time and simplifies everyday logistics, leaving educators free to dedicate themselves to their students.

  • School Data Sync automatically populates classes with student rosters connected to the school’s information system.
  • OneNote Class Notebooks are built into every class, allowing teachers to organize interactive lessons and deliver personalized learning right from Teams.
  • Apps integrate into the classroom experience, so teachers can quickly access the Office 365 apps they already use – like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Planner – and customize their classroom with education apps.
  • End-to-end assignment management in Teams enables teachers to move quickly and effortlessly from creation and distribution to grading and feedback.

Getting Started Guides

Find the following Getting Started Guides online for Educators, School Leaders and/or IT Admins. You can also take advantage of this Teams Demo Site. You can also complete this free online course, Introduction to MS Teams in the MS Education Community online course.

Teams Video Tutorials and Walkthroughs

Microsoft Teams' T-Bot: Get Just-in-Time Assistance!

With the T-Bot, you can get just-in-time support. To access T-Bot, click on the CHAT icon on the far left, then VIDEOS underneath T-Bot (as shown left). Some of the videos you will see include:

    • Welcome to Microsoft Teams
    • Overview of Teams and Channels
    • Create instant meetings with Meet Now
    • Work in Channels
    • Add tools with tabs
    • Start chats and make calls
    • Get your team up and running
    • Manage meetings
    • Go-to Guide for team owners and more....

Resources