Using Zoom
for Virtual Meetings
Remember that each piece of technology has unique aspects that suit it to a specific kind of learning. For Zoom, we see the purpose as one of community and interaction. Find creative ways to make these engaging and interactive. Put simply, if something can be done asynchronously -- say, direction instruction -- do it asynchronously. Use Zoom for what it can do best instead of using it as your platform for direct instruction, even if you're recording it.
Helpful Resources
Tips for Efficient Zoom Use
Create recurring meetings so links can be reused.
This is probably the most efficient use of your time. The meetings can be used at any time of the day as long as the link doesn’t get deleted. However, if you need to hold separate Zooms with a co-teacher, for example, schedule those separately as the need comes up.
Check your settings before creating the meeting & know how to change the settings once the meeting begins.
Visit https://zoom.us/ and sign in with your Google account to access all of the available settings for Zoom.
Consider different ways that you can structure your Zoom meetings to keep students engaged.
Exploration; think, pair, share; share-out
Bell-ringer; asynchronous instruction, while you stay on the Zoom for Q and As; exit ticket
Bell-ringer; jigsaw in breakout rooms; share-out
Divide the class into 20 minute small-group Zoom meetings
Homework recaps/mini-presentations
Make good use of the chat feature.
Attendance
Open Q and A
Flood the Chat or 3, 2, 1 GO!
Ask a question. Students type their response but DON'T send it.
You say, 3, 2, 1, go, and all students flood the chat.
This might prevent some anxiety.
Let them know they can send you an individual chat
When you're done, let me know in the chat.
Investigate using other Zoom features.
Whiteboard
Pause Share
Reactions
Add the Zoom scheduler extension for Chrome?
This extension allows you to quickly schedule or start a Zoom meeting from the top of your Chrome browser. Link to Chrome Webstore
Zoom FAQ
What's the most efficient way to take attendance?
Have everyone type their name in the chat. Copy/paste that into another doc.
Take a screenshot of the participants' names once everyone is in the room.
Print out a roster. Cross-check this with your participants list.
Have your first intro activity be a breakout room. Use that time to take attendance, and then pop into rooms.
How do I add a link for a Zoom meeting to a hyperdoc?
Highlight the text or image you want to be the link on your hyperdoc and "insert the link" for your Zoom meeting.
Can students use virtual backgrounds?
No, if they are on their Chromebooks virtual backgrounds don't work because they don't technically have a desktop. If they are working from a home computer or other device they may be able to use them.
Can students use reactions and where do they show up?
Students on Chromebooks can use the reactions in the participants list only if the host has the setting enabled. The students would see these icons at the bottom of the participants menu and most of their selections would show up next to their names in the participants list. Only the "raise hand" icon would show on their camera image.
Also, students would need to open the participants list as the meetings don't default to this view.
Can I add links and files into the chat for students?
Not really...when you paste links into the chat, they are not "live" to students on Chromebooks. The students would need to copy/paste the link into a browser to visit the resource. Also, files added to the chat do not appear for students on a Chromebook. Best bet is to link all necessary materials to your weekly schedule or hyperdoc so students can access them from there.
Can students see if I am recording a Zoom?
Yes, there is an icon that appears in the upper left corner so participants know that the meeting is being recorded. Keep in mind that only the main meeting is recorded and breakout rooms are not.
How do I keep my students from changing their names in Zoom?
There is a setting which allows hosts to decide if they would like to allow students to rename themselves or not. Check this setting before starting a meeting.
Can I use breakout rooms with my students?
Yes, if you enable that setting in advance of the meeting. At this point, there is not a good way to pre-assign students into breakout groups, you will need to manually move students around if you have specific groups you want them to work in.
Can I kick someone out of a meeting?
Sometimes an unruly participant manages to slip through the cracks. As the meeting host, you do have the power to kick someone out of a call or put them on hold.
To kick someone out: During the call, go to the Participants pane on the right. Hover over the name of the person you want to boot and when options appear, choose Remove. By default, an ousted guest cannot rejoin.
What to do if you make a mistake? You can allow a booted party to rejoin. Enable this feature by going to the web portal and navigating to Settings > Meeting > In-Meeting (Basic). Toggle on the setting called Allow removed participants to rejoin.
Can I lock a meeting once my participants have joined?
Yes, while the meeting is running, navigate to the bottom of the screen and click Participants. The Participants panel will open. At the bottom, choose More > Lock Meeting.
Where do the video recordings get saved and how do I share them?
The recordings should automatically save to a Zoom folder in your documents on your device. These files can be uploaded to your Google Drive and removed from your device hard drive to save space. Once the files are in your drive, they can be shared with others using the share link or adding the link to Schoology.
Are there keyboard shortcuts that students can use during a meeting?
Yes, check out the image to the right of the Zoom keyboard shortcuts.
