5. Online meetings using Zoom

• Join a Zoom meeting
• Change your Display Name in Zoom
• Cameras and virtual backgrounds
• Microphones
• Reactions
• Chat

In a post-COVID world, videoconferences have become a necessity to maintain hybrid working conditions. There are many applications that can facilitate video conferences such as Zoom, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams. The videoconferencing application will vary with each organisation. For example, Charles Sturt uses the Zoom platform for online video and audio conferencing.

Join a Zoom Meeting

 There are several ways you can join a zoom meeting. Joining a Zoom Meeting (YouTube, 3m30s) provides a detailed overview:

Change your Display Name in Zoom

The Display Name is the name that appears on your profile across the Zoom platform. Depending on the type of meeting you are in, you may want to change your display name to include, for example, the organisation you are representing.

 How to change your Zoom display name (YouTube, 1m17s) presents a quick and easy way to change your display name on your computer, iPad, and mobile devices.

Cameras and virtual backgrounds

At university, it is likely that you will need to participate in online classes. While in most classes it is optional to have your camera off, there may be some instances when you will be required to turn it on, particularly during class presentations or breakout room discussions. To turn on your camera, simply click the “start video” icon at the bottom left of your screen. Ensure that you are professionally presented while in an online meeting.

You may want to change or blur your background whilst your camera is on.

 Zoom Virtual Backgrounds and Video Filters (YouTube, 2m52s) shows you how you can change and adjust your Zoom background.

Microphones

In most meetings, it is polite to mute yourself when another person is presenting. This prevents any noise from interrupting the speaker. You may turn on your microphone when it is your turn to speak or if you want to address or answer a question. To turn on the microphone click the ‘unmute’ button at the bottom left of your screen.

Reactions

Reactions are used to provide non-verbal feedback to contribute to the Zoom discussion. To use Reactions, simply click the ‘reactions’ button at the bottom of the screen and then choose your preferred icon. You have the option to choose from all emojis. The standard ones are:

• Clapping hands 👏
• Thumbs up 👍
• Heart ❤️
• Tears of Joy 😂
• Open Mouth 😯
• Party Popper (Celebration) 🎉

Chat

The chat function allows you to communicate with other members in the Zoom call via messages. You can choose to send your message to a particular member within the call or to everyone on the call. To send a chat, simply click the ‘chat’ button at the bottom of the screen. If you wish to send a message to a particular participant, select their name in the chat pop-up to privately message them.