How to use Zoom (Student Guide)

Zoom is an online communications video and audio conferencing tool for laptop, desktop, and mobile operating systems. This guide will go over the basics of the Zoom platform for students. Some SPC classes, like Live Online classes, use Zoom to host weekly course meetings. For fully online or in-person classes, instructors may use Zoom to meet with students one-on-one or as a group, or to host drop-in office hours. As a student, you can also use Zoom outside of a regularly scheduled classroom meeting. Examples include meeting with group members for projects and assignments, working on homework with classmates, or recording a presentation to share with others.

Days before the Zoom meeting:

• Confirm that you have the Zoom meeting Link: Your instructor will provide a link to your class-related Zoom meetings. Your instructor may communicate the Zoom link to you by:
  • Creating an event in the Canvas Calendar
  • Sending it via Canvas Inbox message
  • Placing it inside a Module
  • Posting it as an Announcement
• Install the Zoom App: When you click to join the meeting, it will attempt to launch the Zoom meeting. It may prompt you to Open the Zoom application. If you don’t have the Zoom desktop application installed, you may need to click the link in the window that says, “Download and run Zoom.” If you have issues installing Zoom using that method, you can visit https://zoom.us/download and install the application from their website.
  
  
• Test Zoom: Visit Join Meeting Test to verify that your computer, webcam, mic, internet, etc. are all working correctly with Zoom.
  
  

• Review Zoom instructions found sent by your instructor. More information can also be found on Zoom's Getting Started page.
  
  

• If you have a disability and need accommodations, contact SPC's Accessibility Services for support. You will need to contact them several days before your meetings to schedule the appropriate accommodation or service. 

Minutes before the Zoom meeting: 

• Find a quiet space with a strong, uninterrupted internet connection. Make sure it is free of distractions. You can test your internet speed using sites like SpeedTest.net or Fast.com.
  
  
• Close unrelated windows or programs on your device. This focuses your device's power to provide the best Zoom meeting experience possible. It also can prevent potentially embarrassing moments if you happen to share your screen. 
  
  
• Click on the Zoom meeting link sent by your instructor. Test your audio, microphone, and camera settings. You may need to give Zoom permission to access your camera and microphone beforehand. Typically, the request for permission will appear in a pop-up window the first time you open a Zoom Meeting. You may need to adjust your device's permissions. 
  
  
• Adjust your Audio/Video Settings. See the Zoom - Getting Started guide for more information on settings.
  
  
• Adjust your Display Name. When you join an SPC Zoom meeting, you may be asked to enter your first and last name. Please enter both your first and last name as this is the name faculty use to take attendance. You can also rename yourself in a Zoom meeting via the participant list by selecting the ellipses, and then selecting Rename. 
  
  

During the Zoom Meeting: 

NOTE: Depending on how your instructor has configured your Zoom meeting, some options may not be available.

• Microphone Icon: Mute and unmute your microphone. Click the up arrow next to the mic icon to see additional Microphone and Speaker options and select your audio source. You can test your microphone or speakers in the additional options. 
  
  
  
  
• Video Icon: Click the Start Video button to begin broadcasting your video from your webcam connected to your computer, smartphone, or tablet. Click the up arrow next to the video icon to see additional video settings, select virtual backgrounds, and see video filter options. 
  
  
  
  
• Participants: Open and close the participant window showing you a list of participants who have joined the meeting.
  
  
  
  
• Chat: Click the Chat bubble button to ask questions via text, share links to websites, and keep up with the class's back-channel discussion. You can chat with everyone in the meeting, a specific person, or just the professor.
  
  
  
  
• Share Screen: Share your screen (if the host has enabled it) with the participants in the meeting. You will have the option to share your entire desktop screen, a whiteboard, a connected mobile device, a specific window, document, or application that you have open on your desktop.
• Record: If the host has enabled this function, clicking the button will allow you to record the meeting locally to your computer or the cloud.
  
  Note: If you do not see all the buttons on the Zoom toolbar at the bottom of the screen, try making your window wider.