Alpha Connect Tech Support November 2026
Tech Support: Your Free Microsoft 365 Student Guide
Your Alpha Career College email is more than an inbox. It is a key that opens a whole set of free school tools: email, class meetings, cloud storage and office apps. They work in a web browser and on your phone. This guide shows you, step by step, how to sign in for the first time, set up the Microsoft Authenticator app (the step most students find tricky) and use your apps every day.
- What you get
- First sign-in & Authenticator
- Learning Portal & Student Portal
- Set up your phone
- Everyday how-tos
- Stay safe
- Fix common problems
What you get with your school account
Your account comes with a Microsoft 365 education licence (Office 365 A1). That means you use the online versions of the apps in a web browser, plus the mobile apps on your phone. The full desktop apps you install on a computer are not included, but you do not need them for school.
Outlook
Your school email and calendar.
Use it to: read college messages, reply to instructors, see your schedule.
Web: outlook.office.com
Teams
Your online classroom.
Use it to: join class meetings, chat with classmates, find class files.
Web: teams.microsoft.com
OneDrive
Your online backpack for files.
Use it to: save assignments safely and open them on any device.
Word
Write documents.
Use it to: type essays, assignments and your resume.
Excel
Work with tables and numbers.
Use it to: make charts, track hours, build a budget.
PowerPoint
Make slides.
Use it to: create presentations for class.
OneNote
A digital notebook.
Use it to: take class notes, add pictures, organise by subject.
Web: onenote.com
One sign-in for school systems
The same school account also signs you in to the Learning Portal (a.k.a. Moodle) with Login with OpenID Connect , and the Student Portal (Orbund) with Sign in with Microsoft .
Web: learn.alphacareercollege.com
Web: alpha.orbundsis.com
First-time sign-in and Microsoft Authenticator setup
The first time you sign in, Microsoft will ask you to set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) . MFA means two checks: your password, plus an approval on your phone in the Microsoft Authenticator app. This is the step where most students get stuck, so take it slowly and follow the steps in order.
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Find your login details
Open your personal email (for example Gmail or Yahoo). Search for Microsoft Azure AD Account credentials and open that email. It contains:
- Your school username, for example Firstname.Lastname@alphacareercollege.com
- Your temporary password
Can't find it? Check your Spam or Junk folder.
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Install Microsoft Authenticator on your phone
Microsoft Authenticator
Free app published by Microsoft CorporationPhone: Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
Install it now, before you start signing in. When you first open it, tap Allow for notifications, so you can receive sign-in approvals.
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Sign in on your laptop or tablet
On your computer or tablet, open a browser and go to login.microsoftonline.com or portal.office.com.
Enter your school email, for example Firstname.Lastname@alphacareercollege.com , click Next , then type the temporary password from your email and click Sign in .
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Start the Authenticator setup
You will see a message such as More information required or Let's keep your account secure . Click Next .
Choose Microsoft Authenticator , then keep clicking Next until a QR code appears on your computer screen. Leave this screen open.
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Pair your phone by scanning the QR code
On your phone, open the Authenticator app and:
- Tap the + sign at the top right.
- Choose Work or school account .
- Tap Scan QR code and allow the app to use your camera.
- Point your phone at the QR code on your computer screen.
Your Alpha Career College account now appears in the app.
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Approve the test notification
Back on your computer, click Next . Microsoft sends a test sign-in to your phone.
Your computer shows a number . Type that same number into the Authenticator app on your phone and tap Yes . When the computer says the notification was approved, click Next .
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Add your mobile number as a backup
When asked for a second method, choose Phone , select Canada (+1) , enter your mobile number and choose Text me a code . Type the one-time code you receive by text and click Next . This backup helps you get in if your Authenticator app is not available.
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Create your new password
You will be asked to create a new password to replace the temporary one. Choose a strong password that you do not use anywhere else, and keep it private. Depending on Microsoft's screens, this step may come before or after the Authenticator setup.
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Open your school inbox
You're in! Open Outlook . You will find emails waiting for you, such as your welcome message , class enrollments and your class meeting invite . Accept the calendar invitation so your class meetings appear in your Outlook and Teams calendars.
Web: outlook.office.com
Sign in to the Learning Portal and Student Portal
Use the same school email and password for the college's two student systems. You will approve each new sign-in in the Authenticator app.
Learning Portal (a.k.a. Moodle)
- Go to learn.alphacareercollege.com.
- Click Login with OpenID Connect .
- If asked, enter your school email ( Firstname.Lastname@alphacareercollege.com ) and the password you created.
- Approve the sign-in in the Authenticator app.
- Click My Courses at the top to open your program modules and your Class Portal .
Student Portal (Orbund)
- Go to alpha.orbundsis.com.
- Choose Student .
- Click Sign in with Microsoft .
- Pick your school account and approve the sign-in in the Authenticator app.
- Use the portal for your student records and the Finance section for payments.
Set up the apps on your phone
The phone apps are the easiest way to get class reminders and messages on the go.
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Install the apps
Start with Outlook , Teams and OneDrive . Tap a button to download each app. Only install apps published by Microsoft Corporation .
Microsoft OutlookPhone: Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
Microsoft TeamsPhone: Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
Microsoft OneDrivePhone: Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
Want Word, Excel, PowerPoint or OneNote too? Their download buttons are in the app cards at the top of this guide.
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Sign in once
Open the app and sign in with your school email ( Firstname.Lastname@alphacareercollege.com ) and password. Approve the sign-in in the Authenticator app. Most Microsoft apps will then remember your account, so the next app may sign you in automatically.
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Turn on notifications
When the app asks, tap Allow notifications for Outlook and Teams. Now you will see new college messages and class meetings right away.
Everyday how-tos
Check your email
- Open Outlook .
- Look in your Inbox . Bold messages are new.
- Click a message to read it, then Reply to answer.
- Check Junk once a week so you do not miss anything.
Join your class meeting
- Open Teams and tap Calendar .
- Find your class at today's time.
- Tap Join , check your camera and microphone, then Join now .
- Mute your microphone when you are not talking.
Save a file to OneDrive
- Open OneDrive and click + Create or upload .
- Choose Files upload and pick your file.
- Make a folder for each course, for example Assignments .
- Your file is now safe, even if your phone or laptop breaks.
Write and hand in an assignment
- Go to office.com, open Word and choose Blank document .
- Type your work. It saves by itself to OneDrive.
- If your instructor wants a PDF: File → Save as → Download as PDF .
- Upload that file where your instructor asked, such as the Learning Portal (a.k.a. Moodle).
Share a file with a classmate
- In OneDrive or Word, click Share .
- Type your classmate's school email.
- Choose Can view or Can edit , then Send .
- Only share school work, never private information.
Take class notes
- Open OneNote and create a notebook, for example PSW Notes .
- Add a section for each module.
- Type, add photos of the whiteboard, or draw.
- Your notes appear on your phone too.
Web or phone: where to find each app
| App | On the web | On your phone | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outlook | outlook.office.com | Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play | Email and calendar |
| Teams | teams.microsoft.com | Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play | Class meetings and chat |
| OneDrive | office.com/launch/onedrive | Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play | Saving and sharing files |
| Word, Excel, PowerPoint | office.com | See the app cards above | Assignments and presentations |
| OneNote | onenote.com | Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play | Class notes |
| Authenticator | – | Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play | Approving sign-ins |
Stay safe online
Do
- Use a strong password you do not use anywhere else.
- Approve sign-ins only when you are signing in.
- Lock your phone with a PIN or fingerprint.
- Sign out on shared computers.
- Check the sender before you click a link.
Don't
- Share your password, even with a friend.
- Approve a sign-in request you did not start.
- Open surprise attachments or "prize" emails.
- Save client or patient information on your phone.
- Use your school account for personal shopping or sign-ups.
Fix common problems
I can't find my Microsoft Azure AD Account credentials email
Search your personal email for Microsoft Azure AD Account credentials and check your Spam or Junk folder. Still missing? Email support1@alphacareercollege.com from the personal email you gave the college.
The Authenticator app won't scan the QR code
Make sure you chose + → Work or school account → Scan QR code and allowed camera access. Turn up your computer screen brightness, wipe your camera and hold the phone 20 to 30 cm from the screen. If it still fails, click Can't scan image? on the computer and enter the code and URL shown into the app.
I'm not getting the approval notification on my phone
Open the Authenticator app; the request often appears when the app opens. Check that notifications are allowed for Authenticator in your phone's Settings , that you have internet, and that your phone's date and time are set automatically. Then try signing in again.
My phone asks for a number, but I don't see one
The number appears on the screen where you are signing in (your computer or tablet), not on your phone. Type that number into the app and tap Yes . Never approve a request if you are not signing in yourself.
I got a new phone, or I lost my phone
Email support1@alphacareercollege.com. LMS & Tech Support can reset your sign-in methods so you can pair Authenticator on your new phone. Keep your old phone until you are set up again, if you still have it.
I forgot my password or I am locked out
Do not keep guessing, because too many tries can lock your account. Email LMS & Tech Support at support1@alphacareercollege.com and we will help you get back in.
It keeps signing me in to my personal account
Sign out of the personal account first, or open a private (incognito) window. Then sign in again with your @alphacareercollege.com email.
I can't hear or be heard in a Teams class
Check that your microphone is not muted and that your browser or phone allowed Teams to use the microphone and camera. On a phone, look in Settings → Teams → Permissions . Leave and rejoin the meeting if needed.
I deleted a file by mistake
Open OneDrive on the web and go to Recycle bin . Select the file and choose Restore .
I'm not getting email notifications on my phone
Open your phone's Settings , find Outlook , and turn on Notifications . In the Outlook app, also check Settings → Notifications .
Can I install Word or Excel on my laptop?
Your student licence includes the online versions (in your browser) and the mobile apps, not the full desktop apps. The online versions have everything you need for assignments.
Your first-day checklist
- I found my Microsoft Azure AD Account credentials email.
- I installed Microsoft Authenticator on my phone.
- I signed in on my laptop or tablet and paired the app by scanning the QR code.
- I added my mobile number as a backup and created a new password.
- I opened my school inbox and accepted my class meeting invite.
- I installed Outlook, Teams and OneDrive on my phone and turned on notifications.
- I signed in to the Learning Portal (a.k.a. Moodle) with Login with OpenID Connect .
- I signed in to the Student Portal (Orbund) with Sign in with Microsoft .
Need a hand?
LMS & Tech Support can help you sign in, set up Microsoft Authenticator, pair a new phone or find a lost file. Email support1@alphacareercollege.com .
Based on the Microsoft 365 apps included with Alpha Career College student accounts (Office 365 A1). App names and screens can change when Microsoft updates them.
