PrePALS Technology

Getting Started with Zoom

Zoom is a video conferencing tool that allows you to meet in real time with someone in another place. The tool uses your computer or mobile device's camera to share video and your device's microphone to share sound. It's also possible to share your screen with others so you can collaborate despite the distance. Using Zoom, you can meet with one person or many people at the same time.

Joining a Zoom Meeting

How to join a Zoom meeting and navigating the options within the meeting are important skills for using Zoom as a Western student.

Directions: Watch the video below to become familiar with how to join a Zoom meeting. 

Using the Controls in a Zoom Meeting

There are many different options and controls within a Zoom meeting, but we'll just look at the most commonly used tools here.

Audio

In a meeting, it's possible to mute your microphone so that others can't hear what you're saying or unmute your microphone so that others in the meeting can hear what you're saying. You'll change between these options by clicking on the microphone button on your screen. 

Video

In a meeting, it's also possible to turn your video on or off so that others in the meeting can see you or can't see you. You'll turn your video on or off by clicking on the video button on your screen. 

Meeting Chat

The chat allows you to send text-based messages within a meeting. You access the chat by selecting the chat bubble icon on the screen. If you type and send a message, by default, it will be sent to everyone in the meeting. You can also read any chat messages that others have sent.

Screen Sharing

Screen sharing allows you to display the contents of your screen to everyone in the meeting. To use this feature, select the Share Screen button, then choose whether you want to share your entire screen or a specific program or window, and click Share.

Directions: Now ask your PrePALS instructor to set up a Zoom meeting and send you a link to the meeting with you so you can practice joining a Zoom meeting and using the meeting controls. 

(optional) Creating a Zoom Account

If you want to be able to host your own Zoom meetings, you'll need to create a free Zoom account. 

Directions: Open a new tab, navigate to https://zoom.us/, and create a free Zoom account. You can find step-by-step instructions for how to do this at the link below. 

Now that you're familiar with the basic functions of Zoom, practice your skills using the following activities. You may need your PrePALS instructor or a friend to help you with these:

1. Ask your PrePALS instructor to set up a Zoom meeting link and email it to you. Access the Zoom link from your email and join the meeting. 
2. While you are in the meeting, practice turning your camera on and off.
3. While you are in the meeting, practice turning your microphone on and off. 
4. While you are in the meeting, send a message to your PrePALS instructor using the Chat. 
5. While you are in the meeting, ask your PrePALS instructor to share their screen with you so you can see how that works. Now practice sharing your screen with your PrePALS instructor. 
6. Practice leaving the Zoom meeting. 

Your PrePALS instructor may also give you additional assignments or activities.