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Microsoft announced the June 1, 2023 add-on availability of Teams Premium for Education customers. This new add-on has the same set of features as the Teams Premium Commercial add-on, but its pricing has been adapted to Education including discounted licensing for students.Â
In the realm of education, effective communication and collaboration play a crucial role in student engagement and academic success. Recognizing the unique needs of educational institutions, Microsoft has introduced Microsoft Teams Premium for Education—an upgraded version of the popular collaboration platform tailored specifically for the education sector. In this article, we will explore the key features and benefits of Microsoft Teams Premium for Education and how it can revolutionize teaching, learning, and collaboration in educational settings.Â
Extended Meeting Duration and Large-Scale Conferencing
Microsoft Teams Premium for Education offers an extended meeting duration of up to 24 hours, allowing educators to conduct lengthy virtual classrooms, workshops, and collaborative sessions without time constraints. This feature fosters in-depth discussions, facilitates project-based learning, and supports student-teacher interaction beyond traditional class hours. Moreover, Teams Premium allows for up to 1,000 participants per meeting, making it suitable for large-scale webinars, virtual conferences, and school-wide assemblies, enabling educational institutions to bring together students, teachers, and guest speakers from across the globe.
Advanced Classroom Management Tools
Educators benefit from advanced classroom management tools within Microsoft Teams Premium for Education. These tools empower teachers to create a structured and engaging virtual learning environment. With features such as class insights, educators can gain valuable analytics on student engagement, participation levels, and individual progress, enabling personalized instruction and intervention when necessary. Additionally, educators can utilize breakout rooms to facilitate group work and collaborative projects, promoting teamwork and peer-to-peer learning within the virtual classroom.Â
Enhanced Security and Compliance
Data security and student privacy are of utmost importance in educational settings. Microsoft Teams Premium for Education offers enhanced security and compliance features to protect sensitive information. The platform includes advanced threat protection, ensuring a safe digital learning environment by mitigating risks related to malware and phishing attempts. With data loss prevention (DLP) capabilities, educational institutions can prevent the accidental sharing of confidential student data, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations such as FERPA and GDPR.Â
Integration with Learning Management Systems (LMS)
Microsoft Teams Premium for Education seamlessly integrates with popular learning management systems (LMS), providing educators with a unified digital learning environment. This integration allows for streamlined workflows, enabling educators to manage assignments, grade submissions, and course materials within the LMS while leveraging the collaborative features of Teams. The integration enhances efficiency, reduces administrative burdens, and creates a seamless experience for both educators and students.Â
Dedicated Customer Support for Education
Educational institutions using Microsoft Teams Premium for Education benefit from dedicated customer support tailored to the unique needs of the education sector. Microsoft provides educators with priority access to support teams, ensuring timely resolution of technical issues and expert guidance. This support helps educators maximize the potential of Teams Premium for Education, enabling them to focus on delivering quality education while leveraging the platform’s full capabilities.Â
Microsoft Teams Premium for Education represents a powerful tool for educational institutions seeking to enhance learning, collaboration, and student engagement. With extended meeting durations, large-scale conferencing capabilities, advanced classroom management tools, enhanced security features, seamless LMS integration, and dedicated customer support, Teams Premium for Education offers a comprehensive solution for virtual learning and collaboration. By leveraging this platform, educators can create dynamic and interactive virtual classrooms, foster collaboration among students, and provide a secure and engaging learning experience that prepares students for success in the digital age.Â