Here you will find information about the purpose of this tool, what to consider when implementing, and helpful resources to get started.

What is Zoom? Things to Consider Getting Started Checklist Helpful Tutorials

On a tight schedule? ⏰ Click the links above for quick access to the topics found on this page.

What is Zoom?

Zoom is a cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars. Meetings can be recorded locally or to the cloud with searchable transcripts. Zoom has built-in collaboration tools that allow participants to share their screens simultaneously and co-annotate for a more interactive meeting.

Below are some ways to use Zoom within your online course. Note, there is an endless list of things you can do with Zoom outside of the suggestions below. If you ever want to brainstorm some ways you can use Zoom within your online course, you can always schedule an appointment with the DEeL team via our booking tool:

⏰ Virtual Office Hours

Most instructors share their contact information such as email and even days of the week that they can be reached, but a more personal way to have virtual office hours is to meet with your students online synchronously.

📍DEeL Tip: You can create one Zoom link at the beginning of the semester with your virtual office hours in Canvas.

💻 Live/Recorded Asynchronous and Synchronous Lectures

Whether your course is asynchronous or synchronous, you can have your lectures live with your students on Zoom or use Zoom to record your lectures ahead of time to share with your students later.

🧑‍🎓 Virtual Student Showcase

Hosting a virtual student showcase via Zoom allows your students to present their research, utilize their communication and presentation skills, and connect with other students.

🧠 Breakout Room Sessions

Zoom allows you to create virtual breakout rooms for your students to collaborate. You can float around and join rooms to check in on the discussion, post an announcement to all rooms, or even place a time limit on them.

Getting Started with Zoom Checklist

Within the "Helpful Tutorials" section below, you will find additional resources to help you get started with Zoom, but here is a quick checklist of the tasks you will need to do to access Zoom at UNCW successfully:

Step 1: Browser Check ✅

Use UNCW's recommended browsers, Firefox and Google Chrome.

Step 2: Zoom Account Activation 💻

Activate your UNCW Zoom account using the UNCW Zoom link: https://uncw.zoom.us/

Step 3: Schedule a Zoom meeting 📅

Sign in to your UNCW Zoom account to set up a Zoom meeting.

Things to Consider

To save yourself from some technical headaches, here are some things to keep in mind when using Zoom:

Tip 1: Make sure you are using UNCW's Zoom License 🔒

At UNCW, there is a unique Zoom link for UNCW faculty, staff, and students. To use your full UNCW Zoom license you have to go to "uncw.zoom.us" not "zoom.us". When signing in or activating your Zoom account, please use the following link: https://uncw.zoom.us/.

📍DEeL Tip: Bookmark "uncw.zoom.us" on your browser to make it easier to locate.

Tip 2: Safety First ⚠️

Before having a Zoom meeting, it is important to make sure your Zoom meetings are following the 3 S's (Secure Settings, Suspend Session, and Seek Support) for Zoom security. To learn more about the ways to secure your Zoom meetings, please check out UNCW's self-paced Canvas course that provides quick and easy information related to :

- The "3 S's" for Zoom Security
- How to configure your Zoom meeting for security
- What are key settings to ensure maximum protection
- Secure methods of distributing class-related Zoom sessions to students
- Suggestions for communicating Zoom behavior expectations and Consequences to students
- What to do should a disruptive situation occur
- How to seek assistance, report a disruptive situation, and follow-up protocols

Tip 3: Closed Captioning ♿

All your videos and audio files must be captioned when sharing videos and audio within your course. Captioning is not just about compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is all about making your content inclusive, which will enhance learning and allow for a significant number of students with diverse learning needs to access a variety of media content.

As part of UNCW's commitment to providing accessible course material, UNCW Distance Education and eLearning offers FREE closed captioning and transcription services for your course video and audio files in English and many other languages. To begin the captioning process, you will first need to submit a CC request to the DEeL team.

Helpful Tutorials

The resources listed below provide both UNCW's internal resources and curated external resources that may help you as you use this tool within your online courses. These pages will continue to evolve as additional resources are identified.

Accessing Zoom at UNCW: Step-by-step instructions for activating and accessing your UNCW Zoom license.

Setting up Zoom Meetings: Zoom offers a variety of features to enhance your video conferencing experience while using Zoom Meetings. This support resource provides a quick guide on how to use meeting features, and how to create, schedule, and start Zoom meetings.

Using Zoom in Canvas: Zoom is also integrated with Canvas. This support resource provides a quick guide on how to use the Zoom tool within your Canvas course.

Zoom Technical Support: Sometimes unexpected issues pop up when using technology so it is always important to know what resources are available to you and your students. This support resource provides technical support resources for you and your students.

Zoom Support Center: This support resource provides additional Zoom resources for faculty, staff, and students.

Zoom Learning Center: The Zoom Learning Center offers a growing list of on-demand courses, live training, and short videos designed to give you just what you need when you need it.

Don't see what you are looking for on this page? No worries, DEeL is here to help! You can schedule an appointment with us today by clicking the "Contact DEeL Team" button down below or you can email us directly at elearning@uncw.edu.

🧭 Contact DEeL Team

For technical assistance, please contact UNCW Technology Assistance Center (TAC).

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