1a: New to Zoom? Download the desktop client or application.

On a Laptop

• Go to Zoom’s download page (or to your institution’s zoom account page) and download the desktop client.

On a mobile device 

• Search your app store for the Zoom app.

Customize your profile

• Log in to the Zoom account and customize your profile.
  • Enter your complete name and institution to display on the screen when participating.
  • Include your pronouns in your display name.
  • Add a profile picture that displays when you have your camera off - this helps make the experience a little friendlier for the presenters and other participants.

1b: Already using Zoom: Update your Zoom Client 

If you already have Zoom downloaded, be sure you have the most recent version. Several new features have recently been added to Zoom which will greatly enhance your experience in the virtual environment.

Be sure you have the most recent version downloaded. See these instructions on how to update your current version of Zoom.

Tips for a Successful Conference Zoom Experience

• • Familiarize yourself with the tool ahead of time.
  • Use “Side-by-Side: Speaker” or “Speaker View” so you can always see who is speaking. This can be toggled in the upper right-hand corner of the Zoom screen.
  • Use a laptop or desktop instead of a mobile device for fullest engagement - consider a 2nd monitor even if possible to help watch the chat as well as the presentation.
  • Consider taking notes during sessions (on computer or written) to help you maintain focus.
  • Turn off your camera when not speaking to minimize bandwidth.
  • Minimize the number of others in your house on the internet.
  • Use a hardline (instead of wifi) whenever possible.

What is Sched?

Sched will be the FTTC schedule and program platform for 2022. Registered attendees should watch their email for an invitation and more details closer to the conference.

To see a preliminary version of the schedule check out our website. Opportunities to customize your schedule will be available through Sched. The platform and full program will be available in July 2022.

Fatigue from attending web conferences is a real thing. You have probably figured this out already if you are teaching classes with a web conferencing tool such as Zoom or if you have had days full of meetings. There are many strategies you can use to help mediate this exhausting effect.

Read this short article from the Harvard Review on How to Combat Zoom Fatigue. To learn more about why web conferences can be more exhausting than in person meetings, see these articles from the Chronicle of Higher Education and the National Geographic.

In addition to engagement within concurrent sessions there are lots of other ways to engage and network with FTTC participants at the conference.

• Be sure to “check in” in the Sched app so you can use the messaging and discussion tools within the application.
• Review the morning Welcome video each day to learn more about conference logistics and organization.
• Share your experiences on Twitter and Facebook tagging our account @FTTCStl.
• Join the networking sessions at the end of each conference day (see details in conference program).
• Pop into the Registration and support Zoom room where breakout rooms are available to connect with other participants (Zoom link will be found on our conference email correspondence and will provide live support during conference hours).
• Make arrangements with other participants to join the “connections” room at any time during the conference.

Stuck on any of these steps? Feel free to reach out for help in any of the following ways.

• Prior to the conference email fttc@umsl.edu
• During the conference join the Registration and support Zoom room (Zoom link will be found on our conference email correspondence and will provide live support during conference hours).