Zoom downloads automatically when you join your first Zoom meeting, but it is recommended that you manually download Zoom from the Download center. (Hosts must have a Zoom account and the app in order to host.): https://zoom.us/download
If this is your first time using Zoom, create an account on the Zoom login page by clicking “Sign Up Free”: https://zoom.us/ or use your email and password to sign into your Zoom account
Become familiar with Zoom
On the Zoom website, click on “Your Account” in the top right-hand corner to manage your profile
In the “Profile” tab, you can edit your profile details such as your name, picture, meeting ID, password, and time zone
In the “settings” tab, “Meetings” section, you can adjust your default settings such as whether your video is automatically enabled when you – or participants – join a meeting, whether audio is automatically enabled upon joining, etc. This is also where you can toggle on/off muting all participants when they join.
Also in the “Settings” tab is the “In Meeting (Advanced)” section. This section allows you to toggle closed captioning on/off and is also where you’ll find the toggle to have attendees request permission to unmute. (Please note that when these permissions are given, it applies to all meetings scheduled by the same person.) Also, make sure “Enable live transcription service to show transcript on the side panel in-meeting” is checked off if it isn’t. This allows for closed captioning.
The “Settings” tab, “Recording” section allows you to adjust whether meetings are automatically recorded or not and whether you provide a disclaimer to let participants know they are being recorded.
The “Settings” tab, “Telephone” section is where you can adjust controls for dial-in participants.
There are several ways to join a Zoom meeting
If joining by computer or mobile
Zoom link invitation: Click the invitation link provided. Enter password if prompted. The meeting will automatically open and allow you to join. (You may be asked to accept permissions to use your camera and microphone.)
If you can’t run the Zoom app for some reason, you can join a meeting with your web browser. To do this, sign into your Zoom account: In the “Join a Meeting” space, enter the Meeting ID or link name of the meeting and enter the password if or when prompted
If someone is having trouble locating a Zoom link, you can find the meeting invitation by clicking “Participants” at the bottom of the window and selecting “Invite” in the Participants box. The ID is found at the top of the invitation window and passwords are located in the bottom right-hand corner.
Host Controls (bottom of your screen if you aren’t screen sharing)
Mute/Unmute – allows you to mute your microphone
Audio controls (^ next to the Mute button) allow you to change the microphone or speaker that Zoom is using on your computer
Start/Stop Video – allows you to start / stop your own video
Video controls (^ next to the Start/Stop) allow you to select which camera you’re using
Security – gives access to meeting security options
Polling – allows you to create, edit, and launch polls
Share Screen – allows you to select the desktop or app you want to share, screen sharing controls are at the top of the screen, but you can click and drag to another location
Screen Share controls (^ next to Share Screen) allow you to select who can share during the meeting – including only the host or a certain participant
Whiteboard option allows you to use your screen as a whiteboard for things like drawing tools and planning sessions with participants
Chat – allows you to access the chat window
Record – allows you to start or stop a recording
Closed Caption – gives access to closed caption options
Breakout Rooms – for users to break up into groups
More – gives access to additional options
Live on Workplace by Facebook – Broadcast to Facebook
Live on Custom Live Streaming Service
End – ends meeting for all or allows you to leave meeting with a prompt to assign a host so the meeting can continue
Managing session views: Speaker or Gallery view (located at top)
You can adjust your own meeting views in gallery view, which organizes everyone into a grid layout or speaker view, which makes the speaker larger (speaker view is default)
Managing Participant Muting during Session
To mute a participant, click “Participants” button, a Participants box will appear on the right for the attendee list. Hover over the participant’s name and select Mute/Unmute.
Removing Attendee
To remove an attendee, click the “Participants” button. Hover over their name, select “More,” and then select Remove. The participant will not be able to rejoin the meeting by default.
Locking a Meeting
If, for any reason, you need to keep individuals from entering a meeting, you can click “Security” and then select “Lock Meeting.”
Background Noise Suppression
By default, Zoom sets noise reduction to auto, which does a moderate noise reduction, but it can be changed to be more or less aggressive by clicking on the “Settings” icon, selecting “Audio,” and then using the drop down menu to select Low (minimal — only low levels of persistent noise), Medium (common noises such as fans or pens tapping) or High (paper crunching or keyboard typing).
Audio also allows you to adjust Echo Cancellation for any feedback that may occur from multiple audio sources. The default is set to auto, but if it continues, set it to Aggressive.
