Zoom lets you type messages to the group during the meeting. Here's how to use the feature.
When you join the meeting, you will see a control bar at the bottom of your Zoom screen, as shown in the picture below. You might have to move your mouse or cursor a little to get that bar to appear. The Chat button is in about the middle of that bar, between the "Participants" and "Share Screen" icons.
Click on the chat button and a window will open up to the right of your Zoom screen, like the picture to the right of these words. The top section will show any chat messages that have been written already.
The place for you to write messages is at the bottom of that bar, where it says, "To Everyone", then "Type messages here..."
If you want to write a message, just place your cursor in the bottom box and start typing. Hit "Enter" on your keyboard when you finish writing and your message will get added to the list of chat messages above for everyone to see.
As more messages get added, they will automatically scroll down in the upper section of the window.
If you want to make the chat window on the right side disappear, just click on the chat icon again.
You can also set up the chat function so you just see chat messages appear on your screen as they are added, without the big chat window open. Instead of clicking on the chat icon, click on the little arrow to the right of the button. You will be able to turn "Show Chat Previews" on or off by clicking the box that pops up from the arrow.
Please contact Kathy if you have any other questions or suggestions about using Chat during our weekly meetings.