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Zoom: Meeting Online in Real Time

Zoom is a video conferencing tool, which means you can meet with your instructor, advisor, or other students from your home or other location. Zoom allows you to see and hear each other and send typed messages. You can access Zoom from your computer browser or a mobile device (phone, tablet). Some instructors may have synchronous/live meetings (meaning everyone logs into Zoom at the same time) or may record a lecture for you to view later. For more information on using Zoom, please check out the links below. 

 Learning How to Use Zoom

 Zoom offers live training Monday through Friday. The 30-minute Getting Started sessions include real-time Q&A. You can also watch recorded training sessions.

 Zoom Quick Guide Installing ZoomJoining a MeetingBest Practices

  • Device with a good internet connection
  • Headphones or earbuds with microphone (optional, but highly recommended)
  • Web camera (optional, preferred for face-to-face contact) 
  1. Go to https://umsystem.zoom.us and sign in using your campus username and password.
  2. Edit your Zoom account profile as desired.
    1. Upload a professional profile picture. Participants in your meetings see your picture if video is not enabled.
    2. Personal Meeting ID: You may leave this as default or you may change it. We recommend using your university phone number as it’s easier to remember.
    3. Personal Link: You can create a custom link that can be shared with your meeting participants at any time.
  1. Download and install the Zoom client on your desktop or laptop: https://umsystem.zoom.us/download 
  2. Sign in using the SSO sign-in option.
  3. Enter umsystem as the domain.
  4. Enter your username and password to log in.
  5. Click the Start with Video button. For more info, please see the Zoom topic at http://teachingtools.umsystem.edu.

Click to download Zoom iPhone app from App Storegoogleplay.png

  1. Go to https://zoom.us/download and install the Zoom Mobile App from the App Store or Google Play.
  2. Sign in using the SSO sign-in option.
  3. Enter umsystem as the domain.
  4. Enter your username and password to log in.
  5. If you have an iPhone or iPad, you can also install the Zoom Client Plugin to allow you to share your iPhone or iPad screen with remote meeting participants during the Zoom meeting.

Preparing for a Zoom Meeting

  • Remember to download and install the Zoom launcher (PC/Mac) or the app (iOS/Android) in advance, as it can take several minutes to complete.
  • Review Zoom instructions here or via the external Zoom link found in your Moodle or Canvas course. More information can also be found at Zoom's Getting Started page.
  • Join a Zoom Test Meeting (found by clicking here) to confirm your computer or device's capabilities. In your test meeting, practice using the Zoom features listed below under "Views to Choose From" and "The Zoom Menu."
  • Contact the UMSL Helpdesk or the Learning Resource Lab to resolve any technical issues if your test meeting fails.
  • Find a quiet space with strong WiFi that is free of distractions. You can test your internet connection speed by visiting Zoom's suggested third party bandwidth tester, Speedtest. 

  • Open Zoom via the link you were given on your computer, Zoom app, or through the Zoom module link in Canvas. Your instructor will share and communicate the link with you.

  • Test your headphones, microphone, and camera to make sure the class can hear and see you (and vice versa).
    • To test your microphone, click "Test Computer Mic & Speakers" in the pop-up window that appears when first opening a test meeting or beginning your scheduled meeting. More information on audio testing can be found here.

    • To test your camera, just look at the Zoom window to see that you are clearly visible, non-pixellated, and can move and speak without noticeable delays. Click here for more video testing tips.

    • 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, and will carry over to future meetings. If you declined permissions in the past, you will need to go into your PC or Mac's settings to allow Zoom to access your camera and microphone. 

  • Close any windows or programs open on your device that are unrelated to your meeting. This focuses your device's power to provide the best Zoom meeting experience possible, and prevents potential embarrassing moments if you happen to share your screen. Do you really want your professor to know how many cat videos you actually watch?

  • Reminder: Dress as you would for an in-person class meeting. 
  • Click Start Video to begin broadcasting from your webcam. 

  • Click the Chat bubble 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, just the professor, or a specific person. 

  • Find out who else is in the meeting by clicking Participants. This is also where you can "raise your hand" to ask a question, answer a question, or start an intense philosophical debate. What you do with this power is up to you.

  • Be prepared to share your screen with the class. They can see the tabs you have open. (Italicized for emphasis, fam.)

  • At the end of the class, click Leave Meeting.

Zoom Campus Support

(855) 675-0755

teachingtools@umsystem.edu