In an asynchronous online course we recommend that you offer synchronous office hours for your students to ask questions and gather feedback from their assessments. You may also find times when you would like to meet with your class to discuss course material or clarify concepts from your lecture topics. To accomplish these tasks you should choose a synchronous meeting tool that you are comfortable using.
Zoom is a feature-rich and accessible videoconferencing service that includes options for online meetings, chat rooms, webinars, and mobile collaboration.
Available for UM-Flint faculty, staff and students
HD video and audio
Built-in collaboration features
End-to-end encryption for all meetings
Recording and transcripts
Streamlined calendaring
Team chat
Visit the Zoom page for more information, or access the tool directly at zoom.umich.edu.
Call in to a Zoom meeting by phone at +1 646 876 9923, followed by the meeting ID when prompted.
Install Zoom for GSuite add-on to schedule meetings from Gmail and Google Calendar.
Watch (6min): Integrate Zoom into your Canvas course
Guide: Schedule a Meeting
Guide: Share a PowerPoint
Guide: Share a Whiteboard
Is this your first time using Zoom? Please see the following Quick Start Guides for help getting started.
Check out Common Tasks in Zoom to learn how Zoom can make your day to day tasks and meetings easier and more productive.
Learn how to secure meetings in Zoom to ensure meetings, classes, and community are protected
Learn about Zoom Accessibility features and live captioning during meetings and webinars.
Zoom and Ann Arbor ITS are partnering to offer UM-Flint faculty, staff, and students live training sessions along with two 30-minute drop-in Q&A sessions. For a complete list, check out Zoom Training & Drop-in Q&A Sessions.
Additional Assistance: Contact the OEL Helpdesk at oel-helpdesk@umich.edu or Submit a Work Ticket.
Recording lectures, discussion groups, and other similar course-related activities (collectively referred to as “Class Activity”) raises important privacy concerns. These answers to frequently asked questions aim to provide guidance for instructors facing common scenarios involving privacy and recordings of both in-person and remote/online class activities. Please look at the guidance provided by the University of Michigan Office of General Counsel.
State in your syllabus what types of involvement will qualify as attendance/participation for each synchronous session (e.g. using a webcam, asking or answering a question)
Our success as a synchronous online class will depend on the same commitment we all bring to the physical classroom. Therefore, think of an online synchronous meeting as a face-to-face meeting, and conduct yourself as you would if we were all present in the same room.
Wear classroom appropriate clothing.
Turn your camera on during the entire duration of the class so we can all see each other and create a better sense of community, connection, and accountability. For your classmates it is easy to feel disconnected when talking to a black screen, especially when working in the breakout rooms.
If there is a privacy issue, inform your instructor to get an exception.
If you do not want to show your surroundings, consider using a virtual background. The university has several available at https://its.umich.edu/communication/videoconferencing/zoom/custom-backgrounds
You can also set your own appropriate background. Zoom has instructions for setting images as virtual backgrounds https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/210707503-Virtual-Background#h_01ED77TMFJXBJGY9KKJBC916FK
Consider putting your picture in your profile so others know who you are.
Mute your microphone unless you are speaking.
Minimize your distractions:
Consider turning your cell phone off and storing it, unless your instructor requests you to use it.
Consider closing your email tab
Close browser tabs not required for participating in class
If your internet connection becomes unstable, dial in by phone for your audio connection.
Actively participate in class and in group discussions by asking and answering questions.
Finally, do not Zoom and drive, it’s illegal and dangerous.
You are expected to use appropriate language and discuss topics related to the class.
Each breakout room must have a designated note-taker (using the whiteboard, a shared document, or a static document)
Notes must be turned in to the instructor following each breakout room session.