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What is Zoom and what does it do?
What is Zoom and what does it do?
Zoom allows you to hold a class 'live' where you can see and talk to each other.
It has various features that are very useful for teaching, including:
Gallery view, where you can see up to 29 students on the screen
Screenshare, where you can show documents, videos etc. from your computer
A whiteboard that you and your students can write on
Breakout rooms for small group work
Live transcription (new), which is key for students with hearing loss
What equipment do I need?
What equipment do I need?
You will need:
a laptop with a built in camera, microphone and speakers, or a desktop computer with these added separately. A headset is often best. (An ipad, tablet or phone is not sufficient)
a good internet connection
one of the following web browsers: Google Chrome, Edge, Linux, Safari or Firefox.
you will need to download Zoom from www.zoom.us to your computer. Your students do not need to download Zoom.
if they do not have a laptop, your students can join using a tablet, ipad or iphone. This works, but they will be more limited in what they can do.
How is a Zoom session organised for my class?
How is a Zoom session organised for my class?
Every tutor at City Lit is allocated their own Zoom account. The user name is your City Lit email address and you will create your own password. You will receive an email explaining how to set up your account before you start to teach. You use this account to start and host your online class.
The Zoom link for students and meeting password is sent to your students automatically by email at 7 pm the day before each class. It will also automatically be included in your Google Classroom before the class starts. Please do not create your own meetings, or send links to students.
10–15 minutes before your session is due to start, sign in to your Zoom account and start your session. To see how this is done click on the video link Sign in and Start your Meeting on the right.
If you teach two or more sessions in a row, you can stay signed in, end one class then start the next at the appropriate times.
How to sign in and start your meeting on Zoom
Using Zoom - the basics
Using Zoom - the basics
This video shows you all the controls on Zoom and their functions. It's quite quick, so its a good idea to practice finding and using these before your first session. Set up a meeting with a friend or colleague, and try them out!
Using automatic captions on Zoom
Using automatic captions on Zoom
Zoom now provides live transcription/captions automatically. This is very useful for people with hearing loss.
As host, click on the 'Live Transcript' button at the bottom of the screen. Then select 'enable auto-transcription'. To adjust the size of the text, click on the arrow to the right of the icon, then choose 'subtitle settings', and move the slider.
Students cannot turn on live transcription themselves - they must ask you to do it. They can adjust where it is on the screen by clicking and dragging.
If a student is relying on subtitles, you need to slow down a little and speak clearly. There is more advice below:
Using captions on Zoom
Using Zoom - more advanced
Using Zoom - more advanced
Using Breakout Rooms
Using Breakout Rooms
In this video, Russell explains how to use breakout rooms in Zoom for small group work.
Making your sessions interactive
Making your sessions interactive
One of the most challenging aspects of online learning is ensuring all your learners participate and interact with you, and each other. This video addresses these issues very well - from setting up your environment to drawing people in.
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