What you need to know
- Microsoft Teams has a new assignments experience and several new features.
- There's a new assignments layout which makes data more accessible.
- Several features help educators send information out to students and to get work from students.
Microsoft Teams has a new update, and it's just in time for back to school season. Microsoft Teams has a new assignments experience with an improved interface and several features to help educators and students communicate regarding assignments.
Microsoft outlines all of the changes and new features in a blog post. Here's a quick list of the changes:
- A faster, more streamlined design
- It's easy to assign engaging learning activities
- Add assignment resources from any team
- See what your students see
- Add Close dates to your assignments
- Assign content from your favorite education apps using the Share to Teams button
- Use Immersive Reader to read assignment instructions and feedback
- Bring Microsoft MakeCode computer science activities to your classroom
- Review student work in a snap
- Grading that goes with you
- Deter plagiarism and grade in one step with Turnitin
The new assignments experience enhances how assignments work from start to finish. Educators can add assignments more easily, preview how students will see assignments, add a closing date to assignments, review students' work easily and on the go, and make sure that work isn't plagiarized. Additionally, educators can create assignments using the Share to Teams button.
In addition to the improvements to the assignments process, assignment instructions are more accessible thanks to Microsoft Teams' Immersive Reader.
Many of these new features were initially announced earlier this year, but are rolling out in time for the beginning of the new school year.
Microsoft Teams allows you to collaborate with colleagues, upload files, send messages, and chat through video. It integrates with Office 365 and several other cloud services.
Portable (and affordable) power accessories we love
Each and every one of these charging gadgets will keep your favorite gear and gadgets going for longer, and none of them costs more than $30.
VisionTek 8,000 mAh micro-USB power bank ($13 at Dell)
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Panasonic eneloop AA batteries (From $13 at Dell)
Panasonic's rechargeable batteries are among the best available, and just a couple of them will keep your favorite remote, mice or other peripherals powered up when you need them. They're also eco. And the company's affordable charger fits and charges both AA and AAA batteries at the same time.
Belkin Qi Wireless Charging Pad ($30 at Dell)
This unobtrusive Qi wireless charging pad looks good (and kind of like a UFO …) and easily charges all your Qi-compatible device up to 5W. Its LED indicator lights up when you're charging. And it costs just $30.
