Microsoft Education is a comprehensive suite of digital learning tools and services that integrate seamlessly with Learning Management Systems like Blackboard to enhance teaching and learning experiences. The platform includes tools for real-time collaboration, video meetings, and file sharing—all designed to create more engaging, personalized learning experiences without requiring students or faculty to leave their familiar Blackboard environment. Think of it as bringing the best of Microsoft's educational technology directly into your existing course structure.


Tools Available via Microsoft Education


Microsoft Education for Blackboard provides several tools directly within your online course. Below is a list of the tools and some helpful tutorials to get you started.


First Time Configuration Steps


To begin using most Microsoft Education tools in Blackboard, you must first enable them in your course. Follow the steps below to configure Microsoft Education in your course:

  1. Go to your iLearn (Blackboard) course.
  2. On the Content page of your course, under the Details and Actions menu on the right, click Enable Microsoft Education.


  3. If this is the first time you’re using the Microsoft Education tool, you will need to select Sync with Microsoft Education. 


  4. The sync may take a few minutes to complete. Refresh the course Content page. The link at the bottom of the Details and Action menu will change to Open Microsoft Education.


  5. Open Microsoft Education from the Details & Action menu and select Continue setup.


  6. On the Course settings page, you will see options to enable OneDrive and Meetings. OneDrive is always enabled, and Meetings is optional. You can enable both. Then click Done. 


    Note: Set up may take a few minutes to complete. 


Instructors and students can return to Microsoft Education at any time to use OneDrive or Meetings tools.


Additional Note: Once these steps are complete, a Class Team will be automatically created in the background and will sync with the class roster. The Class Team is currently not visible to students unless it is activated by an instructor. However, it does NOT need to be active for OneDrive or Meetings to function in your course.