zoom classes

How to Successfully Attend Class via Zoom

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When preparing for a Zoom class, the 15 minutes before it begins are crucial for setting yourself up for success. In these final moments, finding a quiet, well-lit space with a strong internet connection is key. Ensuring your camera, microphone, and environment are ready will help you avoid any distractions or technical difficulties during class. With everything in place, you can focus on fully engaging in the session, confident that you’re ready to participate seamlessly.

15 Minutes Before Class Starts

  1. 15 minutes before class starts, find a quiet place with strong internet that is free of distractions. Remember that everyone in the class will be able to see you! Find an appropriate background and make sure the room is well-lit. Make sure that you have your device plugged in so you don’t need to worry about battery issues mid-class

  1. Open Zoom. You can open Zoom by clicking the link your professor sends you or downloading the Zoom app or program on your device. If you have headphones, plug them in now

  1. Test your microphone and camera
    • To test your microphone, click “Test Computer Mic & Speakers” in the pop-up window that appears when first opening a test meeting or beginning your scheduled meeting
    • To test your camera, just look at the Zoom window to see that you are visible, non-pixellated, and can move and speak without noticeable delays
    • You may need to permit Zoom to access your camera and microphone beforehand. Typically, the request for permission will appear in a pop-up window the first time you open a Zoom Meeting, and will carry over to future meetings. If you declined permissions in the past, you will need to go into your PC or Mac’s settings to allow Zoom to access your camera and microphone
  2. Close any windows or programs open on your device that are unrelated to class.

During Class

  1. Click Start Video to begin broadcasting from your webcam

  1. Use the Chat bubble as appropriate. You can chat with everyone in the meeting, the professor, or a specific person

  1. Find out who else is in the meeting by clicking Participants. This is also where you can “raise your hand” to ask or respond to a question

  1. Be prepared to share your screen with the class (If you do so, we will see all tabs you have open. We could also see your email, messages, etc. Please ensure that anything you would like to keep private is closed before class begins)

The Zoom Menu

The Zoom menu contains several features that can be used during class meetings. For laptops, PCs, and Macs the menu can be found by hovering over the bottom of the Zoom window. In the Zoom app, the menu can be accessed by tapping the bottom of the app window. Here is a picture of the menu bar.

Zoom Menu Bar Image Example
  • Mute: Silences and unsilences your microphone. Your professor will “Mute” the whole class to reduce background noises, but if you’d like to speak, you need to click “Unmute” first
  • Share Screen: Allows you to share a variety of windows and applications. Participants can share views of their desktops and specific windows currently open on their computer, write on a digital whiteboard, and even share a screen directly from their iPhone or iPad
  • Chat: You can send messages to everyone, just the professor, or a specific person

General Zoom Etiquette

  • Getting a clear video is a lot like taking a good selfie. Light your face more brightly than the background to make it easier to see you
  • Remember that everyone else can see you
  • Be yourself, move physically, and make facial expressions
  • Microphones pick up all ambient noise, so keep your mic muted until it’s your time to speak.
  • Remember that when on camera, other activities such as eating, drinking, shuffling papers, etc are extremely distracting

If you’re having trouble joining a Zoom meeting or class, refer to the article below for troubleshooting tips.

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Trouble Connecting to Zoom

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If you are scheduled to attend class using Zoom and you run into technical difficulties, here are some steps you can take.

Common Fixes for Zoom Connection Issues

  1. Do. Not. Panic. This shift to distance learning is a sudden change. We will do everything we can to support your learning
    • Try your best to progress through the steps and troubleshooting resources below. Join when you are able. You can use the chat or hand-raising function once you join the class to let the faculty know if you have questions.
  2. Try to exit Zoom and open it again
  3. Try to restart your device and re-open Zoom
  4. Check that you do not have pop-ups blocked. Also check that you have “allowed” the Zoom browser extension to operate, if needed
  5. Try on a different device, if you have access to one. If you do not have access to a different device, proceed to step 6
  6. If you still cannot access Zoom after taking these steps, please contact the University Technical Assistance Center (UTAC) with a description of the problem (e.g., error message that you received). Please also bring the issue to the attention of your instructor so they can let you know what you missed in the class session that you were unable to attend

More Resources for Troubleshooting with Zoom

The following troubleshooting guide gives support for all devices that Zoom supports.

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Ways to Lead Productive and Inclusive Zoom Classes

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Here are 5 ways to lead productive & inclusive Zoom Classes with your students.

  1. As facilitator, plan ahead. Identify partners to help fill Zoom Class roles. If you can, identify a:
    • Co-host in case you have technical problems
    • Moderator: to monitor and respond to chats
    • Coordinator: to keep track of time and take notes
  2. Share rules of engagement at the start of your class
    • Keep your video on
    • Mute yourself unless speaking
    • Introduce yourself before you speak
  3. Ensure all students have equal access to shared content
    • Share content ahead of class or by using Zoom chat
    • Think agenda, slides, notes, reference materials
  4. Be sure students have an equal chance to engage
    • Invite student s to speak up, and do this at multiple points during the class
  5. Be intentional about class activities
    • Conduct activities that work for all students, ensuring a similar experience
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