Tips for Virtual Family Classes with Microsoft Teams

After reserving your spot for a Y virtual class, you’ll receive an email from the instructor typically on the day before your scheduled class. The email will give you information on how to access your specific class meeting.

We recommend giving yourself a few extra minutes to get logged on and settled before the class starts.

You’ll have two options to join the meeting, either via the Microsoft Teams link  or by calling in and using a conference id. We recommend using Microsoft Teams so you get the full audio visual interactive experience!

Microsoft Teams

Once you click on the purple Join Microsoft Teams Meeting link in your email, you'll be asked to download the Windows app, or if you're on a desktop, you'll also have the option to continue on a browser. If you use a browser, we've had feedback that users struggle to use Microsoft Teams with Safari. You might try Chrome instead. 

Microsoft Teams will ask for permission to use your microphone and camera. We recommend that you click allow for the full audio visual interactive experience.

Next, you’ll enter your name! Please enter the name of the primary participant(s) so that the instructor can speak directly to them by name.

Class Tips

During the class, you'll interact with the instructor but there will also be a moderator behind the scenes to help. The moderator will mute you when it's time to listen so that all participants can hear the instructor. But when it's time to interact, the instructor will ask you to unmute yourself and join in! 

You can also post questions, comments, cheers, and more in the chat box. The instructor may not read these until class is over, but the moderator and other participants can respond to you.

Tool Bar

Hovering over the screen with your mouse gives you a set of tools!

From left to right, the tools operate as follows:

1. Elapsed time of meeting

2. Turn your video off and on.

3. Mute or unmute yourself

4. Share screen (not available in a Y class)

5. Additional tools, including the option to enter full screen. 

6. Raise or lower your hand - Our instructors probably won't see your hand raised, so if you have a question, ask it in the chat area and the moderator will respond.

7. Chat - Send a message to the moderator or other participants.

8. Participants - See who else has joined our class.

Challenge by Choice

We invite you to keep your video on and interact with the instructor and other participants as much as your are comfortable with. Virtual Family Classes give us the opportunity to play, learn, and connect with our Y community, from the safety of home!