Zoom is a tool that quickly gained popularity during the COVID-19 school closures. Zoom is easy to use and has many options for teachers when hosting meetings. Teachers can schedule meetings ahead of time and can share meeting information with students through their Google Classrooms. See below for more resources for using this platform with your students.
Check out these activities you can use with your students during your next Zoom or Google Meet session
Check out this resource from Zoom to get started with your students and also to see how to leverage some of the features in Zoom during your instruction
Important Note: Make sure you keep the default settings active requiring meeting passwords and waiting rooms when hosting Zoom meetings. These security features are enabled by default to ensure that only your students are able to join the meeting through your permission. Be sure to only share join links to students through your Google Classroom if you are using Zoom.
Important Note: Always make sure the Zoom app is up to date to allow for the most current security settings.
Important Note: Before using any web conferencing tool with your students, seek parent permission prior to use.
Using Zoom with your Students
Check out this video from A Diary of A Not So Wimpy Teacher, Jamie Sears, where she walks you through setting up an account, to creating a meeting, to hosting and managing participants in a meeting. Just remember to pay close attention to the settings when starting a meeting in Zoom to make sure the Waiting Room is enabled, participants are muted upon entry, and that you require a meeting password to join a meeting. You will also want to make sure that you only share links to meetings in secure areas such as Google Classroom. This will help protect your class from those pesky Zoombombers!
Additional Resources
Check out this resources to learn which settings to best manage the security of your virtual class
This resources shares some answers to some common questions when setting up your Zoom classes
Check out this resources for getting started with Zoom and also shares features that might be helpful such as whiteboard, breakout rooms, etc.
Use the checklist below to practice the Zoom features you will need to run your class. As you watch videos and learn, try out your new knowledge in Zoom.
Zoom Checklist:
Set up your Zoom account and enter the request for the temporary COVID-19 premium education features
Explore Zoom meeting settings to customize your meeting experience
Ensure you know how to enable waiting rooms and require a meeting password
Host a Zoom meeting on your own to learn the controls
Host a Zoom with your students
Practice sharing your screen
Record a Zoom and access the recorded video
Share a link to a Zoom with a colleague for a virtual PLC
Use the chat feature to communicate with attendees
Note: Always make sure you have waiting rooms enabled and that you have require meeting passwords selected