U of T is currently working to replace its current phonebook directory with a more modern, accurate and mobile-friendly website – it’s a development that will provide users with a completely revamped and accessible interface, available on tablets and phones.

Since fall 2019, Information Technology Services along with Human Resources & Equity have worked to improve data accuracy and have also conducted extensive research, design and usability testing across all three campuses.

Similar to Google, the site will take the guesswork out of searching by providing autosuggestions, and will guide people through the searching process with helpful tips. It will also display helpful information from all three campuses, including emergency, media and safety contacts.

Users will be able to search for staff, faculty members and faculty or department information on a public site.

The directory allows you to easily search for people, faculties and departments by keyword, and filter your results by campus.

When staff and faculty log in to the website, using their UTORid, they will be able to see additional information and change their contact information. They’ll also be able to download search results if they want to compile a list of department contacts. Business officers will continue to update individuals’ official information and they’ll also be able to edit departmental information.

You can search for one or more keywords, or choose one of the suggestions that appear to guide your search.

One of the key benefits of the project includes data accuracy due to faster data exchanges with U of T’s VoIP provider, University of Toronto Scarborough, University of Toronto Mississauga and U of T’s Human Resources Information System.

In the future, the phonebook could integrate with other university systems and the final product is scheduled to launch this summer.

Stay tuned for more details!

University of Toronto (U of T) staff and faculty members have taken the transition to remote work in stride, with many in the U of T community using cloud-based productivity applications like OneDrive and SharePoint for the first time. Using Microsoft Teams for meetings and collaboration has also become the norm, with a combined 2,382 meetings and calls taking place between colleagues over the month of March alone. 

As Teams use has increased, so has the comfort level of individuals who use this tool in their day-to-day work lives. EASI’s Digital Workplace support staff will continue to provide support through online training, resources and documentation. Here are five tips and tricks from EASI’s Digital Workplace for regular Teams users. 

Tip #1. You can test your devices 

If you are using a new audio or video set-up, you can test your devices within Teams to ensure they are working properly by making a test call. To do this, simply click on your user icon in the top right corner of Teams and go to Settings. 

When you open your settings, click on Devices and then Make a test call.  

This will initiate a call with Teams Echo, the test call bot. During this call you can see if your video is enabled and can record a message to test the call quality. Once the call is complete, Teams will generate a report that lets you know how your microphone, speaker, video and internet connection performed. 

Tip #2. Change your status to disable Teams notifications during presentations 

If you are presenting your screen on Teams and need an environment free from notifications, you can disable them with the click of a button by changing your status to Do not disturb. This means that you will only get notifications from priority contacts. 

To enable the Do not disturb status, click on your user icon in the top right corner of Teams and select Do not disturb. Remember to turn it off when you are ready to receive notifications again! 

Tip #3. Upload a PowerPoint presentation directly to Teams to present with others 

If you are presenting a slide deck with other presenters, you can upload it directly to Teams instead of sharing your screen. This option allows other presenters to navigate through the deck for their part of the presentation. 

To add a PowerPoint deck to the meeting, click on the screen sharing button. You will see a column labeled PowerPoint. To find the presentation you want to present on your computer, click Browse. 

Once you have selected your slide deck, Teams will upload it to the meeting so that everyone can view it. You will see a menu with arrow buttons that let you navigate the slide deck. Presentation attendees can also use the arrows to move through the presentation at their own pace (unless you disable it by clicking the eye icon). 

Other presenters can also request to take over the presentation navigation when it is their turn by clicking Request control. You can also assign control to a presenter by clicking Give control. 

When the presentation is over, simply click the screen sharing button again to stop sharing the presentation. Please note that this feature is only available via the Teams desktop app. 

Tip #4. Share your system audio 

Sometimes when you are presenting, you need to share audio with your meeting attendees: maybe you have video or sound embedded in a PowerPoint presentation. When you share audio during your meeting, you want to make sure that you are not sending the audio through your computer’s microphone. Instead, you want to share your system audio directly to meeting attendees. 

To share your system audio when you are screen sharing or presenting, click Include system audio before you start sharing your screen or upload your slide deck. 

This will ensure that high quality audio will be delivered during your presentation or meeting. 

Tip #5. Change your background when video is enabled 

When you are in a Teams video call and you prefer to keep your surroundings private, you can enable background effects. This lets you choose the background that appears to others in your call; it will still show your face, but your background will be what you select. 

To enable background effects during a call, click on the three dot menu and select Show background effects. 

You will see several backgrounds to choose from. Select the background of your choice by clicking on it. When you are ready to apply it, click Apply. If your video is not on yet, click Apply and turn on video. 

Your background will be applied. Please note that this feature is only available to Teams desktop users, and that computers must meet certain graphics requirements. 

Interested in learning more about Teams?

Visit EASI’s Connect+Learn page for a list of upcoming training sessions. You can also subscribe to the Connect+Learn newsletter for updates, and view slides and recordings from previous presentations.