Before You Start
If you’re using Zoom on a phone, see these instructions:
To participate in a Zoom meeting, you’ll need:
The Zoom app
Instructions on downloading and signing into the Zoom app: Zoom - Download App & Sign In
A Zoom link from the meeting host, which can usually be found in the calendar invitation or event.
An internet connection
A webcam, microphone, and speaker (either built into your device or plugged into it)
Join a Zoom Meeting
Click the Zoom link provided to you by the host.
Depending on your device settings, this link will either open the Zoom app directly, or open a new tab in your internet browser asking to open the Zoom app (click Open or Launch Zoom if you’re directed to the internet browser).
Wait for the meeting to start.
Selecting Microphone, Speaker, and Camera
After joining a Zoom meeting, you might need to select or change your speaker, microphone, or camera if you cannot hear the other people in the meeting, or others cannot see/hear you.
Locate the microphone icon in the Zoom menu bar and click the small upward-facing arrow next to it.
Under Select a Microphone, click the appropriate microphone for your device. Do the same under Select a Speaker. If you’re not sure which microphone/speaker is the right one, select Test Speaker & Microphone.
Locate the video icon in the Zoom menu bar and click the small upward-facing arrow next to it.
Under Select a Camera, click the appropriate camera for your device. You can also choose to blur your background or choose a virtual background in this menu.
Using the Zoom Menu Bar
The Zoom menu bar usually appears at the bottom of the Zoom window once the meeting begins. If you don’t see the menu bar, move your mouse slightly and the bar will appear (The bar disappears after a few seconds when in full-screen mode.)
Your menu bar may look slightly different dependent on the meeting settings. However, in general you should have the following options:
Function | Icon | How do I use it? |
---|---|---|
Mute/unmute audio | Turn your audio on or off. If you mute yourself, you’ll still be able to hear others in the meeting. | |
Stop/start video | Turn your video on or off. If you turn video off, the others in the meeting won’t be able to see you. | |
Participants | View a list of participants in the meeting. | |
Share | Share your desktop (everything you have open) or specific applications (like Google Chrome or Microsoft Word) so everyone in the meeting can see. | |
Chat | Send a message to one person (private chat) or to all participants in the meeting. | |
Reactions | Provide nonverbal feedback to the host, such as applause, yes/no, or raise your hand. | |
Leave | Leave the meeting. |
Share Your Screen
Join or Leave a Breakout Room
Zoom Etiquette
Unless you are speaking or about to speak, mute your audio so background noise does not interrupt or distract the other people in the meeting.
In a meeting with many participants, use the Reactions button to “raise your hand” to speak.
Support
Nonverbal Feedback During Meetings | To provide nonverbal feedback to the host of the meeting: Click the Participants button Click one of the icons to provide feedback to the host. Click the icon again to remove it. You can only have one icon active at a time Feedback options include: Raise Hand / Lower Hand Yes No Go slower Go faster Agree Disagree Clap Need a break Away Your icon choice will appear next to your name in the participants list. |
Screen Sharing | Zoom allows for screen sharing on desktop, tablet and mobile devices running Zoom. You will only have the ability to share your screen if granted by the host. Click the Share Screen button located in your meeting controls. Select the screen you want to share. You can also choose an individual application that is already open on your computer, the desktop, a whiteboard, or an iPhone/iPad. If sharing video use the “Share computer sound” and “Optimize for full screen video clip” at the bottom of the window. Click on the screen or program you want to share and click “Share” in the bottom right corner. |
Setting Suggestions | In the top right-hand corner of your screen, click Gallery view, to view the participants in a grid format. You can only view up to 49 participants per screen Alternatively, click Speaker view to view the current speaker enlarged, with other participants in a ribbon above. Click on the Participants button located on the bottom of the screen Tip: By not having your screen in “Full Screen Mode” the Participant list will dock to the right-hand side of your screen. If you are in Full Screen mode, the Participant list would appear in a pop-up window. Click on Chat also located on the bottom of the screen Tip: By not having your screen in “Full Screen Mode” the Chat feature will dock to the bottom right-hand side of your screen right below the Participant list |
Joining a Breakout Room | Breakout rooms are sessions that are split off from the main Zoom meeting. They allow participants to meet in smaller groups. Breakout rooms can be used for collaboration and discussion. Note: Users joined into the Zoom meeting from the Zoom Desktop Client or Zoom Mobile App devices can participate in breakout rooms. Users joined via the web client, or Chromebooks/Chrome OS are unable to join Breakout Rooms, but the main room can be used as an alternative session for these users. The host will need to invite you to join the breakout room. Click Join. If you choose Later, you can join by clicking the Breakout Rooms option in your meeting controls. Click Join Breakout Room. | |
Participating in the Breakout Room | Once you've joined the breakout room, you will have full controls similar to the meeting. You can: | |
Mute/Unmute to speak Start/Stop Video Participants - view the Participants list Share screen - read more about screen sharing Chat - type messages to the other participants in your breakout room Record - you can record the Breakout Room locally if the host gives you recording permission. Read more about local recording. Ask for Help - request help from the meeting host |
Asking for Help | If you click Ask for Help, it will notify the meeting host that you need assistance and they will be asked to join your breakout room. Click Ask for Help in the meeting controls. Confirm that you would like assistance by clicking Invite Host |
Leaving the Breakout Room | You can leave the breakout room and return to the main meeting session at any time, or you can leave the meeting entirely from the breakout room. Click Leave Breakout Room. Choose if you want to leave the breakout room or the entire meeting. When the host ends the breakout rooms, you will be notified and given the option to return to the main room immediately, or in 60 seconds. |