1.5 – Digital Tools: Zoom (Optional)
Using Zoom
Zoom is a virtual learning platform. (Virtual means communication that happens on a computer or phone instead of in-person.)
- Do any of your classes use Zoom?
- What are some virtual meeting platforms?
YOUR TEACHER WILL SEND A ZOOM INVITE LINK TO YOUR EMAIL
Activity 1: Joining a Zoom meeting
- Read the paragraph.
Zoom for Virtual Learning
A virtual meeting platform is a computer or phone app you can use to talk with people over video using the internet. Some popular virtual meeting platforms are Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet.
Many classes use Zoom to connect and learn. There are different ways to join a virtual meeting. The most common way is to use a join link (also called an invite link). When you click on a join link, the link takes you to an internet page for the meeting or opens the meeting app on your device. Your teacher will share an invite link through text or email.
2. Watch the VIDEO Part 1 [0:00-4:50]
3. Open your email. Find and open the email from your teacher. Click on the join link. Follow the steps to join the meeting.
Activity 2: Zoom settings
- Read the paragraph.
Video and Sound
Sometimes, there will be a lot of students in a virtual class meeting. If everyone talks at the same time, it can be hard to hear. Often, teachers will ask students to keep their microphones muted. Muted means the microphone is off. The mute button allows you to turn your microphone off and on. When it is a student’s turn to talk, they can unmute. Unmute means to turn the microphone on again. In some classes, the teacher can mute and unmute students if they need to.
You can also turn off your video so people can’t see you. Turning off video can be helpful if the internet is slow. However, some teachers want students to keep their video on. This way, they can make sure each student is participating in the lesson.
2. Practice these skills while in Zoom.
- Click the mute button. Can others hear you?
- Unclick the mute button.
- Click the camera button. Can others see you?
- Unclick the camera button.
Activity 3: Sending Chat Messages
- Read the paragraph.
Another feature many teachers use in a virtual meeting platform is the chat. The chat is a place where students can type a message to send to the whole class, another student, or just the teacher. Students might share ideas, answers to questions, or ask a question in the chat. In the chat, lots of students can silently share answers at the same time. Teachers expect students to be respectful in the chat. Teachers can see all messages shared in the chat.
2. Practice these skills while in Zoom.
- Click on the chat button to open the chat.
- Write a message, say “hi”.
- Read the messages from your classmates.
- Close the chat. Click the X.
Activity 4: Changing Screen View
There are different screen views you can use in a virtual meeting. Some screen views focus on the person who is speaking, and other screen views show everyone in the meeting.
- Practice these skills while in Zoom.
- Click on the view button.
- Click speaker. Who do you see?
- Click gallery. Who do you see?
- Click full screen. What do you see?
Activity 5: Responding in Zoom
1. You can raise your hand, clap, or share a smiling face in a Zoom meeting. Zoom includes many emojis, or small pictures, that you can use to share a feeling or communicate with the class.
Watch VIDEO Part 2 [4:49-6:34] to learn about sharing feelings and responses.
2. Practice these skills while in Zoom.
- Raise your hand. Then lower your hand
- Show that you agree with a comment (You can use clap or thumbs up emojis).
Activity 6: Troubleshooting
Watch VIDEO Part 3 [6:34-9:49] to learn about fixing problems during a meeting.
