Zoom is a widely popular video conferencing platform in use by many educational organizations globally.
Zoom. “Zoom Meetings” [0:46]
Explore the below resources to learn more about the features of Zoom, and how we use them in support of teaching and learning here at Conestoga. Reach out to Teaching and Learning if we can support your teaching in the synchronous online mode. Contact the IT Service Desk for any troubleshooting issues when using Zoom.
Sign in to The Zoom Portal
Zoom meetings on the IT Support home page.
Creating your Zoom link, changing your account settings, and setting up polls, whiteboards and breakout rooms all happen in the Zoom web portal. Access the portal from the IT Support home page. You’ll need to sign in with your college email and password.
In the Zoom portal, you can customize your account settings, and generate meeting links to post in your course. Conestoga does not have licenses for Zoom webinars.
Zoom. “Navigating the Zoom Web Portal.” [2:45]
Many settings in Zoom are preconfigured by IT Services. There is no need to supplement the defaults set on security parameters.
However, you might choose to enable settings that will impact how you teach, such as:
Choosing whether to Allow participants to join before host. This will let you admit students from the Waiting Room when you’re ready. Typically, allow students to join at least 5 minutes before the start of class, so they can also feel comfortable in the synchronous online class.
Determining whether you’d like to restrict the chat to just public conversations or allow private messages among students.
Allowing Non-verbal feedback. This allows students to use icons to use signals to communicate their presence, such as smiles, clapping, “yes,” “no,” or “on a break.” Consider using the coffee mug, for example, to have students indicate when they are away for break, and remove it when they return.
Allowing Automated captions. This ensures learners can see the captions in any of several languages.
To create a link for your class, schedule a meeting. Use the link generated to join your session, and post in your course in eConestoga for students to join your class. It’s recommended to schedule your meetings from the Zoom online portal.
Zoom. “Scheduling from the Web or Desktop.” [5:48]
Post your Zoom Meeting Link in eConestoga
Once you have your meeting link generated, post it in your course. Some people use a module, but often the best way to post your link is as a calendar event. This takes advantage of a specialty tool, developed by the Online Learning Center, which directly adds them to your course home page.
The Online Learning Center. “Adding Zoom Links to Calendar.” [3:26]
Host a Class in Zoom
These basic hosting skills should get you through the early days. This video covers checking your video and audio, managing participants, the chat and screen share, taking recordings, breakout rooms, reactions, and feedback.
It is recommended that you record all class sessions held via Zoom. You can use the recording to review your delivery, as evidence of what was shared with students, and you can also share the recording with students absent due to illness or emergencies. If your Chair requests that you record and post each class session, then do so. In some areas, this is the best way to support students.
Zoom. “Basic In-Meeting Navigation.” [4:08]
Manage Breakout Rooms
Breakout rooms offer flexible options for discussion, interaction and collaboration in Zoom. You can monitor students indirectly in these rooms, using the participant view of the breakout room menu, and collaborative docs in the OneDrive.
Zoom. “Using Breakout Rooms.” [5:34]
Generate Attendance Reports
After a meeting is concluded, Zoom can create an automatic report of those in attendance at meetings. Use this attendance report to inform your class observations, and help track attendance.
Teaching and Learning Conestoga, in collaboration with the Online Learning Center. “Generate Attendance Reports in Zoom.” [1:25]
Post your Recording
Zoom recordings are stored online. You can access the recording link in your Zoom account.
Teaching and Learning Conestoga in collaboration with the Online Learning Center. “Sharing your Recording Link.” [3:20]
Jesslyn is an Educational Technology Consultant at
Conestoga. An Ontario Certified Teacher, and holding a M. Ed.
and B.Ed., Jesslyn researches and promotes new technologies
for faculty to enhance pedagogical practices. She brings to
the role her experience as a Google and Microsoft certified
technology trainer and as a classroom teacher in South
Korea, Mongolia, and Ontario, focusing on special education
and assistive learning technologies. She is available for
workshops, consultations, and support with using technology
in higher education contexts.
