Webconferencing tools are available for use in classes and meetings.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft (MS) Teams is an enterprise-wide collaboration suite within Mason’s Microsoft 365. At its core, MS Teams provides chat, audio calling, video calling, screen sharing, and more with individuals and groups inside a Team structure.
MS Teams is available via web browser, desktop application, and mobile app.
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Key Features
Within the structure of a formal Team, Team members have access to chat, audio calling, video calling, and screen share, as well as several Microsoft 365 shared features:
MS Teams is a self-service application. Training and support provided by ITS are limited to account access questions. Additional training is provided via online tutorials and collaboration with other users.
Accessibility
Information on MS Teams accessibility features can be found at Accessibility support for Microsoft Teams.
Getting This Service
Eligibility
Microsoft Teams is part of Microsoft 365 and is automatically available to all active faculty, staff, and students.
Note: Retirees, Alumni, and Generic accounts are not eligible for this service.
Accessing MS Teams
On the Web
Access MS Teams through the application launcher on your Mason Office 365 account at https://mso365.gmu.edu via supported browsers.
On a Desktop
ITS recommends using the MS Teams desktop application for full functionality. The application is available for direct download at https://products.office.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/download-app.
On Mobile
Get the MS Teams mobile app for Apple or Android from the app stores or https://products.office.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/download-app from a browser on your mobile device.
Linux Users
Microsoft has retired the Linux desktop client for MS Teams. All Microsoft Teams Linux desktop client users will have to transition to the web or Progressive Web Apps version.
Using MS Teams
Review the following information for an overview of the MS Teams structure and roles: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/teams-channels-overview.
Team Owners
The Team Owner creates the team and controls who has access, including adding members and other owners.
Teams must have more than one owner to ensure any team members who are no longer active faculty or staff are removed from active Teams.
MyHub App
Mason uses MyHub for MS Teams to manage existing teams and create new ones. Access MyHub from Teams by clicking on the MyHub icon in the left navigation or via myhub365.gmu.edu.
Teams Renewal Process
Teams workspaces must be renewed periodically to help ensure Teams are being maintained and retired when appropriate. Team owners will be notified when it is time to complete the renewal process, which includes archiving old or no longer-needed workspaces and confirming that the owner/member information is still correct. See MyHub Renewal Policies for more details.
Guests
For information and eligibility for adding guests to teams (members who do NOT have accounts on Mason's Microsoft 365 system), see, Adding Guests in MS Teams.
Training
Microsoft Teams Training
Recorded sessions of MS Teams training are posted in the Files tab within the Collaboration Collective. See Additional Information for details on how to join the Collaboration Collective.
Microsoft Training Videos
The following information can help you familiarize yourself with MS Teams and prepare to collaborate with other MS Teams users.
Additional Training Opportunities
Additional training is available via Mason’s Subscription to LinkedIn Learning. Visit https://lil.gmu.edu, log in with your Mason credentials, and search for Microsoft Teams. The Microsoft Teams Essential Training provides a popular overview.
Microsoft offers free instructor-led training webinars. See Instructor-Led Training for Microsoft Teams for a list of training topics and to register for sessions.
Recording Retention Policy
MS Teams recordings are stored with expiration dates attached to them. The default expiration period for MS Teams recordings may vary between 30 and 120 days. Check the expiration date on your recording to confirm the default expiration period. See MS Teams Recording for more information.
Zoom
Zoom, available at gmu.zoom.us/signin, is a cloud-based web conferencing tool for video and audio conferencing, collaboration, chat, and webinars across mobile devices, desktops, telephones, and room systems. It provides collaboration with people inside and outside Mason. Zoom allows you to meet face-to-face using HD video conferencing and share your desktop, documents, or individual applications with everyone in the meeting.
Zoom is available via web browser, desktop application, and mobile app. To access your Mason Zoom account, you will need to sign in using SSO.
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Training and support provided by ITS for Zoom are limited to account access questions. Additional training is provided via online tutorials and collaboration with other users.
Key Features
Getting This Service
Eligibility
Active students, faculty, and staff are eligible for Zoom products. Zoom Meetings accounts are automatically established for each person on their first log-in at gmu.zoom.us. When employees and students are no longer active at George Mason University, they can no longer access their Mason Zoom account.
Note: Retirees, Alumni, and Generic accounts are not eligible for this service.
Getting Started
If you have used Zoom before:
Go to zoom.us/profile and log in. Select Sign Me Out From All Devices located at the bottom of your profile page. Log out of the web session. Then go to gmu.zoom.us/signin and log in using your NetID and Patriot Pass Password to join the Mason institutional license.
If you are new to Zoom:
Go to gmu.zoom.us/signin and log in using your NetID and Patriot Pass Password to join the Mason institutional license.
Employees
Employees are granted a Pro Zoom account. This allows hosting of up to 300 participants for a maximum of 24 hours per meeting. If your business needs require additional Zoom features, click the Request Help button to submit a request. Identify your need in the "Request Description" field of the form.
Students
Students are granted a Basic Zoom account. This allows hosting of up to 300 participants for a maximum of 40 minutes per meeting. If you require more than a Basic account, you may request an upgraded account. Click the Request Help button and identify your need in the "Request Description" field of the form.
Download the App
Install the Zoom App, available from Software Center (PC) or Self Service (Mac), for additional integration with Outlook to schedule meetings directly from the Outlook email client. You may also download software at https://zoom.us/download. Smartphone users may download Zoom from their app store.
Availability
Zoom status updates can be found on https://status.zoom.us/.
Training
Please visit Zoom’s Help Center for information, instructions, and to register for or review recordings of live training sessions. There is no charge for this service.
Visit LinkedIn Learning for Zoom online courses and training.
Additional Information
Information for Linux and ChromeOS App Users
Linux Users can find detailed instructions for installing or updating Zoom on Linux on Zoom's site.
ChromeOS App Users should use the Zoom progressive web application (PWA), which is available in the Google Play store, or by going to pwa.zoom.us/wc (click the install option in the Chrome address bar).
Policy
This service is intended for work-related public use data only. The University Data Stewardship Policy defines data classified for public use. Users are responsible for understanding and complying with this policy. For more information about data usage and classifications, reference the following: