How to Manage a Teams Video Chat

Tags teams

Teams allows the creator of a group chat or meeting to control how the attendees can interact.  Each video meeting still includes a chat window we well as screen share capabilities.  This article assumes you'll be conducting a meeting with multiple attendees and will outline what you, as a presenter, can control.

 

1.  Going to the calendar and clicking on the meeting you're hosting will bring up the informational page for that specific meeting.  It will show you the link that was sent to attendees as well as those you've invited on the right pane.  Aside from the obvious scheduling options, clicking the highlighted 'meeting options' link lets you select some options that won't be available once the meeting has started.

2.  Clicking that link will open a web page and eventually you'll end up on a page that looks like the following.  While you don't want to change the option for bypassing the lobby, you may want to configure the presenter options to be 'only me'.  This will configure everyone but you as an attendee that can share video and audio, but will not be able to share a screen.

  • Call time counter
  • Camera enable/disable
  • Mic mute/unmute
  • Screen Share
  • Additional Meeting options
  • Chat pane hide/unhide
  • Participants pane hide/unhide
  • End call

 

4.  In the above picture, the "dot dot dot" menu is shown.  Of particular interest is the "video with blur" that will essentially actively blur the background behind your face for your attendees.  It is also possible to turn off incoming video if you don't want attendees webcams to show during a lecture or meeting (audio will still work).  It's also possible to record the meeting and it will be saved to your computer when it's done (it isn't great, but works in a pinch).

5.  The screen sharing function is extremely useful but can be confusing.  Just be aware that if you Share one of the 'Desktop' screens, anything in that you drag into that screen will be shown.  On the other hand, sharing a 'Window' will only show that specific window.  i.e. a web browser will only show the tabs open in that specific window.  The red outline indicates this window is being shared.

 

 

The remaining functions are fairly straight forward and intuitive.  You can upload files, but that process is a little clunky and it might be easier to just share the window/screen the document/presentation is on.

Details

Article ID: 121860
Created
Fri 12/4/20 10:00 AM
Modified
Thu 1/7/21 11:23 AM