Zoom is a cloud-based video conferencing platform similar to tools such as Google Meet and Microsoft Teams, that allows teachers and students to meet and work together “face to face” when meeting in person isn’t possible. It can be used for conference meetings, audio conferencing, webinars, meeting recordings, and live chat. Zoom can be used on laptops, desktops, tablets, and smartphones, giving students many ways to access a class session.
The platform has features that allow teachers to share their screens, applications and files with students for straightforward learning experiences. Zoom also has breakout rooms to break up students into small groups for projects and Q&A tools to monitor student progress.
Zoom video conferencing provides an online learning environment in which teachers can live stream class sessions. Students can join Zoom meetings in-person, via webcam or video conferencing camera, or via phone. Teachers and students can use Zoom for blended and online learning synchronous sessions, professional development, office hours, and other student services. Zoom integrates with a number of Learning Management Systems (LMSs) through LTI Pro and other apps. This means teachers can seamlessly schedule and start meetings directly within Blackboard, Canvas, Clever, Desire2Learn, Moodle, and Schoology.
Zoom can be used for:
Managing classes
Teachers can utilize Zoom settings to prevent students from unmuting or renaming themselves to limit distractions. Additionally, teachers have the ability to turn off student video, place students in a Waiting Room, or remove students from meetings. Students removed from meetings will be unable to rejoin.
Communication
Zoom allows students to join a meeting from only one of each type of device (only one computer, one tablet, and one phone at a time). It is important to remember this if teachers plan to join Zoom via personal device while in the classroom.
Creativity and innovation
Teachers can use the features of Zoom to guide different types of interactive activities. These activities offer variety to break up long Zoom meetings, and they offer different means of expression.
Accessibility
Teachers can enable closed captions and live transcription. Live transcription transcribes the meeting automatically and allows real-time viewing of the full transcript in the in-meeting side panel. This feature can also be used in breakout rooms.
Hybrid learning:
Teachers can use Zoom as a tool during in person instruction for hybrid learning. Here are a number of ways to Zoom for hybrid learning:
Zoom comes with numerous security features designed to manage virtual classrooms, prevent disruption, and help educators effectively teach remotely. Zoom is compliant with the US Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), and detailed information can be found in their Children’s Educational Privacy Statement. They also support compliance of US customers in the K-12 and postsecondary education sectors with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Teachers can take advantage of Zoom’s accessibility features to meet students’ individual needs and make the most out of every Zoom meeting. Zoom accessibility features include: keyboard accessibility, screen reader support, closed captioning and live transcription, multi-pinning (pin multiple videos to keep the most important content in place).