Virtual Meeting Platforms: Zoom, Teams, More

Michigan State University centrally supports Zoom and Microsoft Teams as virtual meetings platforms. On this page you will also find resources for Miro, a collaboration tool that can be used with either Zoom or Teams. 

7525.jpgZoom

Zoom is a versatile, cloud-based platform designed for video and audio conferencing, online meetings, mobile collaboration, and webinars. It delivers high-quality video and sound across MacOS, Windows, iOS, and Android devices, and also supports traditional phone lines for audio-only participation. 

MSU users have access to Zoom Pro Meeting license which allows staff to offer meetings for up to 300 participants, and the Zoom Webinar license which allows for up to 1,000 participants.

  • Easy Scheduling. Zoom integrates with Outlook Calendar, making it simple to schedule, join, and manage meetings.

  • Screen Sharing and Collaboration Tools. Participants can share their screens, annotate content, and use whiteboards to collaborate in real time.

  • Breakout Rooms. Participants can be split into smaller groups during meetings for focused discussions or team activities, then reconvene in the main session.

  • Webinars and Large Events. Zoom supports hosting webinars with features like registration, Q&A, polling, and attendee management.

MSU Zoom Web Login: https://msu.zoom.us/

Teams Logo.pngMicrosoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is a powerful collaboration platform designed to streamline communication and productivity for staff across departments and locations. It serves as a centralized workspace where you can manage conversations, files, meetings, and tools—all in one place.

  • Communication. Teams allows users to chat with colleagues one-on-one or in groups, and participate in organized discussions within channels dedicated to specific projects, units, or initiatives.

  • File Management. Users can upload, share, and co-edit documents directly within Teams.

  • Virtual Meetings. Easily join virtual meetings with built-in video conferencing, screen sharing, and calendar integration.

Microsoft Teams: https://spartan365.msu.edu/

Miro (Collaboration Tool)

Miro is a digital whiteboard platform designed to help teams collaborate visually and creatively, no matter where they’re located. It provides an interactive canvas where staff can brainstorm, plan, and organize ideas in real time whether you are using Zoom or Teams. 

  • Visual Collaboration. Miro allows participants to create diagrams, flowcharts, mind maps, and sticky note boards to visualize ideas and processes.

  • Real-Time Co-Editing: Multiple team members can work on the same board simultaneously, making it ideal for meetings, workshops, and project planning.

The Online Tool Templates for Online Facilitations are organized into categories that serve different facilitation needs. Instruction and introduction templates provide clear structures for orienting participants and framing the purpose of the session. Engagement tools include parking lots, community agreements, ground rules, and ToP consensus to ensure inclusive participation and shared understanding. Environmental scanning tools, such as social processes triangles, situational assessment, and the wave, help participants analyze broader contexts. Divergent tools—like fishbone diagrams, mind maps, and bridges—encourage creativity and idea expansion. Convergent tools, including paired comparisons, criterion grids, dot voting, anonymous prioritization, and weighted ranking, assist with filtering and decision-making. Multipurpose tools are flexible options that can be adapted throughout the facilitation process, supporting both exploration and consensus-building.

If you want to use any of these templates, simply select the template of your preference and copy and paste into your Miro board. If you experience any difficulties, feel free to contact the NCI team at nci@msu.edu and someone will reach out to you shortly.

  • Please note that Miro is not a part of the MSU Approved Software list and users will need to create an account with their MSU NetID.
  • Users should not enter any confidential or sensitive data into this tool.