Getting Started With Zoom
Zoom is a web conferencing application that is integrated with Brightspace and Kaltura/MyMedia, and allows you and your students to meet online through high-quality audio and video. Features include screen sharing, whiteboard, breakout rooms, chat, and meeting recording.
Zoom is utilized for USM's synchronous online class meetings and appointments and is supported by the University of Maine system. You can also use Zoom (or Kaltura) to pre-record lectures, and your students can use either option to pre-record class presentations.
ATTENTION
Always use your maine.edu credentials (email) to start and join USM-Related classes and meetings, and ask your students to do the same.
Using Zoom in Your Class?
Add a link to CTEL’s Zoom Guide for Students in your Brightspace course and Syllabus to help students get started and connect them with support resources.
Set up Your Zoom Account
Everyone at the University of Southern Maine has access to a pro-level Zoom account. If you haven't used Zoom with your maine.edu credentials (email), sign into Zoom to activate your account. Zoom can be accessed directly from the MaineStreet LaunchPad or maine.zoom.us.
Your user name is the "first.last" part of your email address, without “@maine.edu,” and you'll use your UMS password. The first time you log in, your Zoom account will be activated, and your account settings will be displayed.
To start or join meetings, always use your maine.edu account and the Zoom Desktop software or Tablet/Mobile App, rather than the browser. Ask your students to do the same. This ensures secure access to class meetings and pre-assigned breakout rooms.
Zoom App Downloads
The first time you start or join a Zoom meeting on any device, the app will download automatically, but don't wait until your first class meeting. Download and install Zoom's software and test your audio and video well in advance.
Click here to download the Zoom mobile and tablet apps, the Chrome and Firefox extensions, or the Microsoft Outlook Add-in.
Learn how to download the latest update or check your version.
Zoom Settings
Edit your maine.edu Zoom settings via the Zoom LaunchPad button in the MyUSM Portal, or at maine.zoom.us, which will also display a "Download Now" option if you haven't downloaded the Zoom Desktop app.
Limit Zoom browser use to changing settings or customizing your profile.
Use the app to start and join all class meetings.
Getting to Zoom in Brightspace
Brightspace's Zoom integration is the most efficient option for scheduling, recording, and publishing your Zoom classes. This integration makes scheduling (and publishing) recurring or recorded meetings easy.
You and your students can access Zoom directly from the Brightspace Navbar by clicking Tools, then Zoom.
Set Expectations During the First Class Session
Ask your students to practice patience – with themselves, with you, and with their classmates. You're all still learning about this new way of interacting.
Notify students that all class meetings are being recorded, if applicable.
Ask students to keep their microphone muted when others are speaking, and to not type while unmuted.
You may wish to ask students to use the Raise Hand feature to ask questions.
During Each Meeting
Start your class meeting via Tools > Zoom in Brightspace, or use the desktop, tablet, or mobile app signed in with your maine.edu credentials.
Click the Participants icon to verify attendance.
Verify the students can see and hear you.
If you didn't enable recording when you set the meeting up, you can click Record during the meeting. Choose Record to the cloud.
Remind students that the meeting is being recorded, if applicable.
Remind students to keep their microphone muted when others are speaking, and to not type while unmuted.
Where can I learn more about Zoom?
Zoom provides a wealth of online support information you can consult to learn more about its features. You can also schedule a meeting with a CTEL Learning Designer if you’d like more personalized assistance.
Visit Zoom’s Video Tutorials page to view a series of short videos on its features.
If you prefer reading text tutorials, visit Zoom’s Help Center.
Visit Zoom’s Privacy Policy page to learn how it protects your privacy.
Visit Zoom’s Accessibility Features page to review features for diverse users.
Zoom FERPA Compliance
Zoom sessions can be expected to be FERPA compliant, and Zoom recordings that are made to the cloud will be FERPA compliant.
The processed recordings are to only be posted to a platform accessible by students enrolled in the class or those who need to see the recording in order to perform their job (e.g., not posted to public web sites or social media, etc.).
Please refer to the UMS FERPA Compliance Guidelines for more information.