This page covers the basics of getting started with Zoom. It’s a good idea to check out the items on this page prior to trying out Zoom for the first time. Request a Zoom account here.
For computer audio, you must have a working microphone, such as the built-in microphone, a USB microphone or an inline microphone on a headset, headphones, or earbuds.Instructions
1. After joining or starting a meeting, click Join Audio by Computer to connect your computer’s speaker and microphone to the Zoom Meeting. If using your computer’s speaker and microphone is your preferred audio method, check the option “Automatically join audio by computer when joining a meeting”.
2. You can test your audio connection before joining by clicking the Test Computer Audio link. The audio preferences will open.
– You can test the volume and output of your speaker device by selecting Test Speaker. If you cannot hear, change the output source by selecting a different speaker device.
– Speak at a normal level and check the Input Level meter to see if your computer is registering your voice. A green bar will raise and lower as you speak if it is working correctly. If the audio is not registering, change the input source by selecting a different microphone from the drop down list. – You can also select Test Mic to playback your microphone input.
– You can select “Automatically adjust microphone settings” to adjust the microphone level based on your speech level.
3. If you would like to check your audio connection while already in a meeting, click the arrow next to the microphone on the left hand side of the in meeting toolbar and follow the directions above.
Meeting Controls & Features
Check out the video below for a quick rundown of Zoom’s interface and the various controls at your disposal. You can find more detailed instructions for the features described in this video on the Using Zoom’s Features page (link to Using Zoom’s Features page).
- In the module where you wish to add a link to a Zoom meeting, click the + icon as pictured below. This button allows you to add an item to a module.
2. In the Add Item to Course Module window that appears, click the menu icon indicated below and select External Tool from the options that appear in the drop down menu.
3. From the list of items that appear, scroll until you find Zoom Conferencing, then select it by clicking on it. Once selected, click the green Add Item button.
4. Once the new item is published, users who are logged into Zoom will be able to click the Zoom Conferencing item in the course module to launch Zoom and join a meeting. Students and users in other roles will not have to log in separately to Zoom before clicking the link in order to join the meeting – in their case, just clicking the link will suffice.
5. Like with other module items in Canvas, you can change the title from Zoom Conferencing to anything else you would like the title to be by clicking the gear icon on the right side of the item. A good use of this function is to add a time and date that you intend to meet with your students in Zoom.
If you have integrated Zoom into your Canvas course, there’s no need to manually send invites to other participants in that course; they can simply click the links you’ve provided. However, if you’d like to use Zoom outside of a course setting, there are other ways you can invite people to your meeting. To schedule a meeting ahead of time outside of a Canvas course setting, follow the steps below.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you need to schedule a meeting with more than 50 participants, contact the CIL with your name, email address, course number, name, and section, and semester information to request that we temporarily upgrade your Zoom account to allow for more than 50 participants. Please fill out our Zoom Request form here.
- Open the Zoom interface, then click the Schedule button.
2. Enter a meeting title in the Topic field
3. In the When options, enter a Start time, Duration, and Time Zone
4. Choose from the following options:
Video: Host and Participant video appearing when joining a meeting
Audio: Telephone, Voip Only, or Both
5. Select additional Meeting Options, including Require meeting password, if desired
6. Select which Calendar type you wish to create the invitation with. Note: Selecting Other Calendars will allow you to copy and paste the meeting information into any calendar program.
7. Click the blue Schedule button
8. Your meeting will be scheduled. Click the Copy to Clipboard button, then paste the information in your desired calendar program (e.g., Outlook) in order to invite other participants.
Joining a meeting
Watch the video below to learn how to join a meeting in Zoom, or follow the written directions below the video.
1. Select Join a Meeting. Note: You can join a meeting with or without signing in.
2. Enter the Meeting ID number and input your name. Also select if you would like to connect audio and/or video and select Join.
