Yammer: Student Guide

Yammer has just changed its ‘cog wheel’ and ‘3 dots’ menus, which are
now combined. We will be updating this guide with new screenshots and
instructions. In the meantime, be aware that the ‘cog wheel’ menu is now
near the top left corner, and this menu allows you to access Yammer’s
key functions.

Table of Contents

Getting started:
● What is Yammer?
● Joining your class Yammer network
● Privacy
● Update your profile
● Download the app
● “Log In” don’t “Sign Up”
Getting the most out of Yammer
● Manage Notifications
● Move between networks
● “Follow” people
● #TagIt! Add topics to posts
● Follow conversations
● Tag people you want to respond
● Bookmark conversations
● Accessibility
● Create groups
Acknowledgements
What is Yammer? 
Yammer is a Microsoft social networking tool used by many large organisations
around the world to facilitate communication and collaboration.

It works similarly to Facebook (you can like comments and follow and tag
people), but content is not public.

Yammer allows students to more easily share ideas and learning experiences.

Joining your class Yammer network 

Your convenor will email you an invitation to join the course’s Yammer network.
This will be sent to your Griffith student email address.

After selecting the link in the email you will be guided through the steps of
becoming a member, including the option of adding a photo to your profile.

Your login is based on your email address, so make a note of which email
address was used in the invitation. (See ​Changing your Profile​ for information
on changing your email address.)

Privacy 
If you have any concerns regarding your personal privacy when using Yammer,
or indeed any online tool where your name is visible to others, please contact
your course convenor. One way of protecting your identity is to edit your name
in your Yammer profile, perhaps using just an initial for your last name. See the
next section on how to do this. More information on privacy is available in the
University’s document, ​Protecting Student Privacy (pdf)​.
Update your profile 
1. Select your photo or name in the bottom left hand corner of the screen

2. Select ​Edit profile​ button in the top right corner

3. Change details including name, email address, and job title

Note:

● What you add to your profile, including your email address, is visible to
other network members.

Download the app 

The ​Yammer app for mobile devices​ allows you to be connected to Yammer
conversations on-the-go.

These opportunities for learning moments can help you maintain the
momentum needed to successfully complete your course.

   
“Log In” don’t “Sign Up”
If you click the Yammer network link and you are not signed into Yammer, you
will see a home screen. As the below screenshot shows, the Log In link is
inconspicuous, whereas the Sign Up link shouts for attention.

It is almost automatic to enter your email address into the large “Sign Up” field,
but you need to select the Log In link to access your course network.

   
Manage Notifications 
A busy Yammer network can feel overwhelming. Know how to keep up and
manage your own participation.

Use the following steps to check your notification

settings and make sure that they work for you.

1. Open the ​Settings ​menu by selecting​ Edit

Settings​ (cog) button near the bottom left
of the screen

2. Choose ​Settings ​from the menu

3. Choose ​Notifications ​from the menu

Move between 
networks 
1. Open the ​Settings ​menu by
selecting Edit Settings (cog)
button near the bottom left of
the screen

2. Select a network from the list

 
“Follow” people 

1. Hover over a person’s name and click ​Follow

or
2. Click on a person’s name to see their conversations - then click ​Follow ​in
top right corner

#TagIt! Add topics 

to posts 
Topics help link conversations
together. You can search for topics
using the Yammer search function.

1. Underneath a post, click the

More ​(3 dots) menu

2. Choose​ Add topics

Follow 
conversations 
1. Underneath a post, click
the ​More ​(3 dots) menu

2. Choose​ Follow in Inbox

Tag people you want to respond 
When you type a post or a reply, type a name and Yammer will suggest people
to you.

You can also tag members where is says “Add people to notify” underneath the
comment field.
Bookmark conversations 
You might read a conversation and think, “I really need to remember that!”

You can bookmark conversations in Yammer and refer to them later.

To bookmark a conversation:
1. Click the ​More ​menu (3 dots)
underneath the first comment

2. Choose Bookmark

To see bookmarked conversations:

1. Go to your profile (click on your name in

bottom left hand corner)

2. Choose ​Bookmarks ​tab

Accessibility 

● Tab ​will open links to accessibility tips for using Yammer with a screen
reader, and “Skip to main content”

● ?​ will show a list of “in context” shortcut keys

● See also ​Microsoft information on using Yammer with a screen reader

Create groups 
You can create groups within your course networks. Groups can be used for:
● Group assignment
● Location-based networks
● Specific interest groups

To create a group:

1. Select the link in the bottom left hand corner of the screen “+ Create a new group”
2. Give your group a name, and decide whether the group is Public or Private (Private would
be appropriate for group assignment discussions).
3. You can add members to your group when creating it.
4. Click “Create Group”.

Acknowledgements 
• Screenshots have all been created by the author

• The Yammer logo is in the public domain and was accessed via ​Wikimedia
Commons

• This resource has been developed by Griffith Online, Griffith University