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Strategies for Success in Online Learning

Zoom

Instructional Technology - Zoom Intro

What is Zoom?

Zoom is a communication software that combines video conferencing, online meetings, chat, and mobile collaboration. Zoom allows for video and audio for all meetings, and it allows multiple participants to share their screens. Zoom can also be used to record and share webinars and trainings.

Do's and Don'ts of Video Calls

Things you should know:
  • Make sure you have signed in to your Zoom account with your UCR NetID and Password! It is very important that you login. Zoom security has been an issue, and this helps protect our meetings.
  • Your instructor will likely be recording your Zoom sessions. They should inform you of this beforehand, and they cannot force you to turn on your video or audio (though, if it is a small class or a discussion session, they probably will want to see you and interact with you! See the guidelines for participating in a meeting below).
  • All students have a Basic account by default. You can access your free basic account by going to https://ucr.zoom.us and logging in with your UCRNet ID and Password. These meetings allow up to 300 participants and video conferences up to forty minutes. (NOTE: Your instructors have Pro Accounts that will host meetings longer than 40 mins. The length of the meeting depends on the host's account).
  • One-on-one meetings do not have a time limit, so if you are collaborating with a classmate, your meetings can be longer. 
  • Make sure you have downloaded the software and checked your audio and camera before your first meeting.

Zoom is available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.

Zoom webinars: 

How to Join a Meeting

From the web

Your instructor will share a link with you, and that is how you will join their meeting. You might also be given a password. You may also be put in a waiting room (again, makes sure you've signed in with your UCR NetID).

From a desktop or mobile app

If you're using the desktop or mobile app, you will put in the meeting ID. If your instructor is requiring a password, you will put that in as well. Your instructor will share these with you via iLearn.

Guidelines for Zoom Participants
  1. The option for student/participant recording has been turned off. Students/participants and any student-hosted meetings are prohibited from a recording of any kind (see UCR Standards of Conduct 102.25)
  2. You can use Zoom’s virtual background feature, when available if you do not want to have your surroundings visible.
    • To use a Virtual Background, click the up arrow by the Zoom video icon and click on Choose Virtual Background.
    • Select only appropriate virtual backgrounds.
    • Be mindful of others in your remote location who may not wish to be visible or recorded in the background.
    • Ensure sensitive conversations cannot be overheard or work observed by unauthorized persons in the alternate work location.
  3. Make sure you are dressed appropriately, just as you would in a face-to-face class. 
  4. If your camera is on, avoid eating, moving from room to room, using the restroom, or engaging in other distracting activities while still engaged in the video session.
  5. To find out more about your rights to privacy, see this page from the Student Privacy Policy Office: Protecting Student Privacy While Using Online Educational Services

General Tips

  • If there are more than a few people, students should mute the mic when they are not speaking.
  • Use the chat function to communicate with your instructor.
  • Zoom displays a thumbnail of the person speaking. If you want to keep that thumbnail active (i.e., keep your instructor as the main speaker), you can “pin” it by clicking on it.
  • Only one person can share their screen at a time. If someone is sharing their screen, they will need to stop sharing for the next person to be able to share their screen.
  • Have zoom installed in your device days before your scheduled meeting.
  • At least 15 minutes before the meeting:
    • Find a quiet, distraction-free zone with strong Wi-Fi.
    • Give permission to Zoom to access your microphone and camera. Test them to make sure they work.
  • If you cannot use video, set a profile picture on your Zoom account. If your video is muted your profile picture will appear.

What devices can I use?

  1. Laptop/computer (PC/Mac) — recommended
  2. Tablet (Apple iOS, Android)
  3. Smartphone (Apple iOS, Android)

Zoom Breakout Rooms

Breakout Rooms are a great way to incorporate group discussions into a Zoom session. Your instructor might us Breakout Rooms to have private sessions with a single student without switching to a different Zoom session. 

Managing Zoom Breakout Rooms (opens in a new window)

Additional Zoom Guides