Best Practices for using Microsoft Teams in your Class

Maximize Clarity • Reduce Confusion • Support Student Success

Use Moodle.unbc.ca as Your Course Hub

Students expect one central place to find everything for your course. Keep Moodle as that anchor:

• Post all course materials in Moodle.unbc.ca: syllabus, readings, slides, handouts, and links.
• Host all assessments: assignments, quizzes, discussion forums, and grades.
• Share meeting links in Moodle.unbc.ca: Add your Teams meeting links directly to your weekly modules or calendar.
• Send announcements through your Course Announcements in Moodle.unbc.ca: This ensures consistent communication.

Why? Students check Moodle daily and use it for all their courses. It’s structured, searchable, and consistent.

Use Microsoft Teams for Live Sessions Only

Treat Teams as your replacement for Zoom—not a second course platform:

• Use Teams to host live lectures or office hours. 
• Record sessions (if appropriate) and share the recording link in Moodle.unbc.ca.
• Avoid uploading files or announcements to Teams—this splits your course presence and confuses students. UNBC students are accustomed to using Moodle for finding course content, assignments, quizzes, and discussions.
• Don’t rely on Teams chat or posts to share critical course info.

Keep it simple: Moodle.unbc.ca = Course Content, Teams = Live Sessions.

Tips for a Smooth Experience

• Tell students upfront how and where you’ll use each platform in your Syllabus and during the class introdction.
• Label Teams meeting links clearly in Moodle with the dates (e.g., “Weekly Lecture – Wednesdays 10am”).
• Use the Teams calendar via Outlook to schedule recurring sessions with ease.
• Practice screen sharing, polls, and breakout rooms in Teams ahead of class time if you plan to use them. Remember to give students instructions in class on how to use these functions as many students may not have used Teams before.

Avoid These Common Pitfalls

• Posting files in both Moodle and Teams → Students miss updates. Only post updates in Moodle Announcements – they will go directly to student UNBC e-mail addresses.
• Hosting discussions in Teams instead of Moodle → Lost threads and grading confusion.
• Relying on Teams notifications → Students may not see them.

Need Help?

Contact the CTLT at ctlt@unbc.ca for support with setting up Moodle or Teams, or visit the Instructor Guide to Teaching with Technology for how-to guides and templates.