Getting started with Microsoft is a quick, easy, and free way to stay connected and begin your online tutoring with Piqosity. It is necessary to complete these three tasks for communication and material obtention before your first session:

  1. Create a Microsoft Account

  2. Download Microsoft Teams

  3. Download Microsoft Whiteboard

We recommend doing them one after the other in one sitting, which should not take more than 15 minutes. 

Click here to create a new Microsoft account


  1. Using a New vs. In-Use Email Address

    1. You are able to create a new Outlook email if you do not have a personal one you would like to use for this set-up.

    2. You do not need to create a new email in order to get started with us if you have one you already use. 

    3. The process is the same & free regardless of which you choose, though if you use your current email address, you will be prompted to verify it with a code sent to your inbox.

  1. Create a password 

  1. Input your first & last name, country of origin, & birthday

  1. Complete the short task to prove you are human

  1. Optionally include a phone number for further verification


Now that you have your email ready, we need to set up the method of communication in which it will be used: Microsoft Teams. Teams is where you will meet and collaborate with your Piqosity tutor for sessions. With the Microsoft account you just created, Teams is free to use on both Mac & PC. 


Start Teams by downloading the application

  1. For Mac:

    1. Go to the Microsoft Teams download page here

    2. Click the "Download for desktop" button.

    3. Locate the downloaded Teams installation package (usually a ".pkg" file).

    4. Double-click the package and follow the installation prompts.

  2. For PC (Windows):

    1. Go to the Microsoft Teams download page here

    2. Click the "Download for desktop" button.

    3. Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions.

  3. Sign in with your Microsoft account username and password (may automatically sync)


Web-based Teams should automatically sign you in after the creation of your Microsoft account, and downloading the application integrates all of your information and access onto your Microsoft account page for better organization.  


Meeting with your Tutor on Teams


In order for your tutor to hold a virtual session, they will have to send you a meeting link via your teams personal chat or email. 


While the set-up process is virtually the same for Mac & PC, some viewing and usage aspects may vary:


  1. User Interface

  2. There may be slight differences in the user interface to accommodate the design principles of each operating system. For example: menu layouts, buttons, and interface elements may appear slightly different on a Mac compared to a PC.

  1. Performance

    1. The performance of Microsoft Teams can vary based on the hardware specifications of your Mac compared to a PC. Factors such as processor speed, RAM, and available disk space can impact the overall performance and responsiveness of the application. 

  2. Shortcuts

    1. Keyboard shortcuts may differ between the Mac and PC versions of Teams due to differences in keyboard layouts and conventions between macOS and Windows.

  3.  Updates 

    1. Microsoft may release updates and new features for Teams on different schedules for Mac and PC users. While the core functionality remains the same, there may be variations in the availability of certain features or the timing of updates between the two platforms.


Now that you have full access to teams through your Microsoft account, the last step is to utilize Microsoft Whiteboard. You can share a whiteboard to make it available to all participants in a Teams meeting, and the same whiteboard is simultaneously accessible on Windows 10, iOS, and the web. You and your Piqosity tutor can both collaborate on the same whiteboard, no matter the method of usage. 


Downloading Microsoft Whiteboard

  1. Android

    1. Available as an app for Android devices running Android 6.0 Marshmallow or later. 

  2. iOS 

    1. Available as an app for iOS devices (iPhone, iPad). 

  3. Web Accessible through a web browser. 

  4. Windows

    1. Available as an app for Windows 10 and Windows 11.


Just as you had done before, sign in using the same email username and password to sync Whiteboard to your account for Microsoft & Teams. If you do this process in order as we suggested, you should already be signed in and should automatically be able to access Whiteboard.

You can bounce back and forth through your Microsoft apps, including Teams & Whiteboard, by clicking the dots in the top left corner of your Microsoft Account page and scrolling or searching for them. 


Connecting and Testing your Microphone, Speaker, & Camera


When it's time to meet with your tutor, make sure your camera, speaker, and microphone are connected to the correct devices and working on both your end and your tutor's end. Here's how to test them beforehand:


  • Click the three dots in the top right corner to take you to Settings

  • Go to the "Devices" tab

  • Select the camera, speaker, and microphone you plan to use for sessions

    1. If you plan to use a webcam or speakers other than the ones on your computer, they will pop up to be synced either in the live session or in settings.

    2. Your computer will always be the default choice for these devices: you must manually choose separate devices for preferred access.


You can also test your speaker & microphone functionality and camera visibility within a meeting by clicking on the individual icons in the menu. Here you are able to adjust the volume levels and camera settings so that they are of optimal viewing and hearing for both parties once you begin.