Before the Zoom Video Conference (Faculty/Staff/Students)
Posted by Christy Mattingly on 12 April 2018 09:10 AM
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Before the Zoom Video Conference
- Determine how you will communicate with the remote location in case of issues with the video conference connection.
-Share cell phone numbers -Plan to open the Zoom chat in case there is no audio -Use Google Hangouts chat (It is a good idea for instructors to create a class group in Hangouts.) -Know how to connect to Zoom audio via phone.
- Reboot the computer and make sure all updates have been applied to the operating system as well as for Zoom. Rebooting the computer is helpful to ensure memory is free and no processes are "stuck" when running video conference software such as Zoom.
- Use a wired connection when possible via Ethernet cable. Avoid using public wireless such as at a coffee shop or hotel wireless. If hotel Wi-Fi is the only option, definitely test using Zoom via the hotel wireless to make sure you have a strong wireless signal.
- Options for Zoom: schedule the conference for a specific time time through the Zoom website, https://augsburg.zoom.us, the Zoom app, or Zoom for GSuite in the Google Calendar.
- If recording, Zoom will alert participants that the session is being recorded. They must agree or leave the meeting. If a recording of a class will be shown to an audience outside of that particular course section, then students must sign a release form. See the Augsburg Registrar site for the form. A release is not necessary if the recording is being made for students who are missing the class.
- Consider the environment: angle of the camera, reduce background noise, appropriate lighting (sit near indoor lighting, close curtains - outside light creates contrast).
- Hosting? Think through the video choreography. How will you transition from one activity to the next? For example, when moving from a slide show to writing on the whiteboard you need to consider what the camera "sees". Try the "New Share" option to seamlessly transition.
- Conserve bandwidth so it is available for Zoom. When connecting from a non-Augsburg location it may be best to ask others in your home to refrain from using your home Internet service for streaming movies, playing games, music, etc. Zoom will display the message "Network connection is unstable" when bandwidth is too low.
- Always have a back-up plan by posting materials online, knowing options for connecting via phone, etc.
- Practice using Zoom with a peer or host a department meeting before teaching with Zoom.
Related knowledgebase articles:
Zoom Overview (Sign in, set up a meeting, learn the interface): http://go.augsburg.edu/zoomhowto
http://go.augsburg.edu/zoomprep
Updated: 2020/07/08
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