Zoom: Planning a Successful Session

As you’re considering using Zoom to reach and engage with your students or colleagues, consider these easy steps to plan for a smooth and successful session.

Get to know Zoom

Knowing how to use Zoom and practicing are two of the best things that you can do to ensure a successful session.

Click here to visit Zoom’s excellent support site that offers videos and step-by-step instructions on all aspects of their technology.

Additionally, take some time to practice. Connect to a Zoom session via a couple of different devices, for example on your laptop and your phone, or invite a TA or colleague to join so that you can see how the meeting looks to participants.

As you’re practicing, ensure that you know how to do the following things:

  • How to set up your audio and video
  • How to mute your audio, and how to mute your participant’s audio
  • How to share/hide your video, and how to do the same for the participants
  • How to see a list of participants
  • How to see the chat window
  • How to share your screen
  • How to call in from a phone if your audio has issues
  • How to start, stop and pause a recording

Consider your Technology and your Environment

Planning ahead and having backup options are the keys to successful Zoom sessions. Before your session…

  • Plug in your device so that you don’t have to worry about battery issues.
  • If possible, consider connecting directly to the internet with an ethernet cable.
  • Shut down any programs on your computer that you won’t need during your session, including anything that may display notification popups. This is especially important if you’re planning on sharing your screen.
  • Open all resources that you will need during your session.
  • Keep a cellphone near by in case you have difficulty connecting with your computer audio. Click here to learn how to call in to a Zoom meeting.

Additionally, consider your environment.

  • Choose a quiet location without noisy distractions.
  • If you’re planning on using your camera, choose a location with good lighting and raise your device to eye-level if possible. Consider what students may see in the background.

Click here to read more articles in our series on Zoom.