In a recent email I explained that we had been investigating different ways to make the children's home learning experience more interactive and that we had decided to introduce Microsoft Teams from 4th May 2020, to coincide with the release of the third set of SJF Home Learning tasks.
I confirmed that we would continue to share learning activities via our SJF Home Learning Portal, but explained that some of these will direct the children to learning opportunities only accessible via 'Microsoft Teams'.
Here is a recap of the benefits:
- the children can communicate and collaborate with each other as well as with teachers
- set tasks, challenges and activities can be accessed easily, downloaded and uploaded to the class group or via an email to class email address
- teachers can upload videos more easily to help and guide pupils e.g. to complete activities in a certain area of a subject
- the children will be able to keep in touch with each other safely using 'video call' through the available secure chat functions
- children will only be able to send and receive emails within the @stjohnfisher.org group - also subject to Admin monitoring
- signing up gives households access to the 'Microsoft Office' products that we use at school, e.g. PowerPoint
A reminder that teachers can be contacted, though they will not respond after 5.00pm and at weekends or when they have a statutory holiday.
If you go to the SJF Homepage (https://www.st-johnfisher.org/home/) you will find the following guides to help you:
- How Microsoft Teams works
- How to login into Office 365
Children will each receive a unique school email address in order to access the platform, which has been posted today with their (AP2) Interim School Report. This should be with you in due course. My advice is to following the guidance and sign up as this will
Though we will not be using Microsoft Teams until Monday 4th May 2020, our advice is to sign up as soon as possible. Not only will this give you time to become familiar with Microsoft Teams but when you sign up you will have immediate access to Microsoft Office for up to five devices at home!
Thank you
