Getting Started with Spark
Getting Started
This guide is an introduction to Cisco Spark and how to get started using in your class. This guide is meant for viewing and use by UW-Whitewater Faculty and Instructional staff and is not meant to be duplicated or altered.
1 Getting Started 2 Signing In
2.1 Profile 2.2 Settings 2.3 Health Checker 2.4 Exit Cisco Spark 2.5 Signing Out 2.6 Do Not Disturb 3 Creating a Team 3.1 App Grid 4 Message Tool 4.1 Moderator 5 Share Screen 6 Sharing to a Space 7 Making a Call 8 Updating Spark
Signing In
1) To get started, first download Cisco Spark from the app store on your device (Link to another page). 2) Then Click on the blue Get Started button.
4) Spark will validate your email address and then you will be taken to a screen where you must enter your Net-ID and Password and click Login.
Profile
If you click on the circle next to your name in the upper left-hand corner, you will see a variety of options, the first of which is Profile.
Here you can change your profile picture to whatever you would like. We recommend choosing a photo so that your students will recognize you or that will tell your students something about you.
Settings
Below “Profile” in the menu is the Settings option. You can select this if you would like to adjust your, audio, video, notification, calling, and general Spark settings.
Health Checker
If you are having trouble establishing a connection, connecting to the cloud or having trouble with any other services, Spark has the Health Checker
option, located right below Settings. If everything is functioning as it should, your health checker should look like the image below.
When you are finished with Spark you can exit out of it by either clicking the X in the upper right corner of the window or by clicking on your profile picture and selecting Exit Cisco Spark.
Note: If you just exit out of Spark you will remain signed in the next time the program is opened.
Signing Out
If you would like to allow someone else to sign in to Cisco Spark or you just would like to make sure no one else accidentally signs into your Spark account, click on your profile picture in the upper left corner of the window and select Sign Out when you are finished with Spark.
Do Not Disturb
If you are working and you would like to not be disturbed by frequent messages or notifications, you can set a Do Not Disturb time.
Creating a Team
The second symbol on the navigation bar represents the Teams tab. When you click on this you should see one or more colored boxes that represent the different teams that you are a part of.
To create a new Team, click on the +New Team button a window will appear where you can give your new team a name and description of what your team is about.
Click on the blue Create button when you are finished.
You should now be able to click on your team and enter it. By creating a new team, you become Moderator of that team. You can add other Moderators if you would like by clicking the Add Team Moderator button.
Once you have added everyone that you would like to click on the Spaces Tab. You will see that a General Space has been created for everyone on your team to message in and use.
If you have added other team members can break your team into groups by adding new spaces and giving specific team members access to them. To create a New Space within your team, click the +New Space button.
Click on the General space to get started messaging your team. Located in the upper right corner of the messaging window, there are a few other tools that you should be aware of.
App Grid
All of the different messaging tools will then be revealed on the left.
You can click Message to return to the messaging window.
Call will start a call with everyone in the Spark Space. Meetings is where you can schedule
and create meetings for the People within your Space.
Whiteboard displays all of the
whiteboards created and shared within your group Space.
People shows the list of everyone in your Space. It is also where
you can add new members to your Spark Space by clicking on the + button.
Add People
Files displays all of the files shared
within your Space.
You also have the option to Archive Team, if you would no longer like the Team to be active, and to Leave Team if you wish to no long be a part of the team.
Message Tool
The Message tool is where you can find and create Spaces; add contacts, schedule meetings, share files and screen captures; and of course, send
To send a message, you need to either select a Space or another Spark contact from the left panel in the window. Your chat will appear in the right panel of the window.
If the person or group that you would like to message is not there you can click the plus ( + ) symbol in the left panel and either select Contact a Person
or Create a Space.
You can sort the information in the left panel by clicking the drop-down arrow next to All. You then have the option to sort by Unread, Favorites, @Mentions, and Flags.
Once you have selected or created your space, you are ready to send a message. Type whatever you would like in the space at the bottom of the panel.
If you would like to include any special formatting, make sure Markdown is enabled by either typing (Ctrl +M) or clicking the Markdown Symbol (Insert
Then make sure that the box is checked. If it is, you may apply any of the special characters to give your text
Symbol Here). Markdown Enabled
(Example: To make your text Italic, add _ before and after_ the text)
Send attachments to your group by clicking the paper clip symbol on the far left of the messaging toolbar and selecting a file from your computer.
You can also send a screen capture to your group by clicking the (Insert button here) symbol in the messaging toolbar at the bottom of right panel.
You can direct comments or messages to individual group members by using the @Mention tool. This alerts only the mentioned person separately, but others can still view the comment. Just use the @ symbol before a group member’s name to use this function. These will also appear under the left panel under @Mentions.
Once you have sent your message and received a reply, you also have the option to Flag a message. You can do this by clicking on the flag symbol on the far right of your message. This will mark the message for follow up and it will place the message under the Flags Section of your sort.
Moderator
As a moderator you have a few other powers that you should be aware of. Within a Space you can click on the “i” button in the upper left of the messaging panel. A moderator has a few additional options than the other team members.
Moderator Options Team Member Options
You can edit the space at any time by clicking Edit Space.
You can Favorite the Space so that it appears under your favorites list.
You can adjust your Notifications for this space here, giving you the ability to choose what and how you would like to be notified about any actions that take place in the Space.
You can click the Add Integrations and Bots link which will take you to the where you can add various helpful and interesting
Cisco Spark Depot
integrations like Google Drive and bots like the Dictionary bot.
(A favorite bot in our office is the Catbot, which sends you Cat Gifs whenever you would like them.)
You can also choose to Archive Space here, which will hide if from all other team members.
Share Screen
If you would like to share your screen to the Spark board, click on the Share screen button in the upper right corner of the window.
Select the room that your board is in. If your device is already connected to the Spark board it should connect, but otherwise you will have to search for your room number.
Sharing to a Space
To connect your Space to the Spark board, you will first want to locate and enter the Space that you would like to connect to. Once you are in your desired Space, click on the "App Grid" in the upper right corner. In the bottom of the App Grid Menu, you should see a link titled "Open on Spark Board"
You will know that your Space is connected when the link displays "Close on Spark Board" in red.
Once you have Shared your Space to a Spark Board you will be able to interact with the board in additonal ways.
If you would like to Share a file with you Space, you can either drag and drop that file into the Space of your choice.
You can also share a file by clicking the Attachment button (Paper clip symbol) in the message box.
Making a Call
If you would like to make a call using Spark, click on the Call button in the Navigation Bar.
You can Dial a number using the Dial Pad. When you have finished typing the number and choosing how you would like to place the call, hit the green Cal
button.
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Updating Spark
Every so often, Spark will have to be updated. You will know if there is an update ready for you to install when you see a little Update ready symbol (pictured below). When you are ready to update Spark go ahead and click on that button and your Spark will begin updating.
