Before You
Attend
Useful information for People Attending Online Courses
We want to make your online learning experience as useful, relevant and informative as possible.
Check your IT prior to the event to help you engage fully with the session.
And remember, if you can’t get the tech to work, please do not worry. We expect technical hiccups. You will not be judged. We are, after all, child carers and not IT experts! We will help you figure out what you need to do.
Getting Your IT Ready for Online Training
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How We Deliver Training
Our online sessions are delivered using Microsoft Teams.
If you’ve never used Teams before, please don’t worry – it’s straightforward and you do not need to be “good with technology” to take part.
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Using Teams for the First Time
You can join a Teams session:
- on a laptop or desktop computer
- on a tablet or smartphone
-without creating an account if you prefer
All you need is: an internet connection the meeting link we send you
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Joining the Meeting
When it’s time for the training, you’ll receive an email with a “Join Microsoft Teams meeting” link.
Click the link in the email
You’ll be given a choice to:
Join on the web (no download needed), or
Download the Teams app (recommended if you’ll attend regularly)
Enter your name and click Join now
That’s it – you’re in.
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Do I Have to Download Teams?
You don’t have to, but many people find it easier.
No download: you can join in your web browser (Chrome or Edge work best)
With download: the app tends to be more stable for longer sessions
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Using Teams on a Phone or Tablet
If you’re joining on a phone or tablet, download the Microsoft Teams app from:
the App Store (iPhone/iPad)
Google Play (Android)
Once installed, click the meeting link in your email and the app will open automatically.
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Before The Session Start Time
Try joining 5–10 minutes early so you can check your sound
You can turn your camera on or off – either is fine
If you’re not speaking, please mute your microphone to reduce background noise
If something doesn’t work, stay on the screen – we can usually help you in
Information for First Time Users of Teams
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How to Speak During the Session (mute and unmute)
When you join the session, you’ll see a microphone icon on the screen.
What the microphone icon means
Microphone with a line through it = you are muted (we can’t hear you)
Microphone with no line = you are unmuted (we can hear you)
How to unmute yourself
Find the microphone symbol on the screen
Click or tap it once
Wait a second, then speak
Tip: If nothing happens when you speak, check that:
- your microphone is not muted on your laptop keyboard
- you haven’t got headphones plugged in that you’re not wearing
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If Your Microphone isn’t Working...
If people say they can’t hear you:
Try these steps in order:
- Check your microphone icon is not crossed out
- Speak loudly and clearly for a moment
- If using headphones, unplug them and try again
- Click the three dots (⋯) on the Teams screen
- Choose Settings
- Go to Audio
Make sure the correct microphone is selected (for example “Internal Microphone”)
Teams sometimes picks the wrong microphone (for example, one from an old headset).
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How to Turn Your Camera On (or Off)
You’ll see a camera icon on the screen.
Camera crossed out = camera off
Camera showing = camera on
You are not required to have your camera on — either is fine.
If your camera won’t turn on
- Close any other programmes that might be using the camera (Zoom, WhatsApp, browser tabs)
- If using a laptop with a built‑in camera, check nothing is physically covering it
- Click Settings → Video and make sure the correct camera is selected
Common problem:
Teams is trying to use a camera that isn’t plugged in (for example, a USB camera you don’t have). -
If You Can’t Use Chat or “Raise Hand”
If you:
- can’t find the chat box
- don’t know how to raise your hand
- are using a small screen
That’s absolutely fine.
What to do instead:
- Simply unmute yourself and speak
- Or wait for a pause and say your name first
“It’s Sarah here — can I ask a question?”
We will guide the conversation; you won’t be expected to manage the technology.
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If You Can Hear Others But They Can’t Hear You
This usually means your microphone isn’t selected properly.
Try this:
Click the three dots (⋯)
Choose Settings
Click Audio
Under “Microphone”, choose a different option
Speak and test again
If it still doesn’t work:
- leave the meeting
- re‑join using the same link
- try joining using a web browser instead of the app
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If You Can’t Hear Anything
Check:
- your computer volume is turned up
- you’re not muted on the speaker icon (not just the microphone)
- headphones are fully plugged in (or unplug them and try speakers)
In Teams:
go to Settings → Audio
make sure the speaker is set to the correct device