Please note: Champlain College no longer provides Zoom accounts to faculty unless there is an exceptional need approved by a Dean. Google Meet is the platform provided by the College, and we have many Meet tutorial articles available. We have preserved this article as a useful resource.
Ready to Learn Zoom for the Classroom?
Zoom is an excellent choice for live videoconference class sessions. Many tutorials are available (see below for some highlights). If you’re new to Zoom, this video is a great start:
Zoom FAQs
Basics
I need a Zoom account. Whom do I talk to?
Free (Basic) Zoom licenses are available to members of the public. You may sign up for a free account here. (Note, we recommend using your Champlain email address to create a free Zoom account. It will make for a smoother experience with students.)
Champlain no longer supplies “Pro” Zoom licenses to faculty, except on a very limited basis for situations where videoconferencing is necessary and Google Meet, our default and preferred videoconferencing tool, cannot meet a specific need. To request an institutional Zoom license, please speak to your Dean to explain your needs. Once you have done so, you can use Champ Support’s instructions for setting up your institutional Zoom license.
Champlain no longer supplies “Pro” Zoom licenses to faculty, except on a very limited basis for situations where videoconferencing is necessary and Google Meet, our default and preferred videoconferencing tool, cannot meet a specific need. To request an institutional Zoom license, please speak to your Dean to explain your needs. Once you have done so, you can use Champ Support’s instructions for setting up your institutional Zoom license.
I’m a beginner. Where do I start?
Try the following resources:
Zoom Meetings for Education (training video by Zoom)
Scheduling a Zoom meeting and inviting your students (training video by Josh Blumberg)
Quick start guide for new users
Google Calendar add-on
Zoom Meetings for Education (training video by Zoom)
Scheduling a Zoom meeting and inviting your students (training video by Josh Blumberg)
Quick start guide for new users
Google Calendar add-on
How do I set up a Zoom call for my class?
Please see our instructions on setting up Zoom meetings, including recurring meetings and adding them to calendar events, in this tutorial video.
Managing the Call
What happens if I, the host, get disconnected from the call?
This can happen! Don’t panic. The meeting has not been cut off. Just rejoin the call and your students should still be there. If they are in breakout rooms, they may not even notice your absence.
I want to record my class. How do I do that, and how do I distribute the recording to students later?
To learn how to record a Zoom session, check out this official tutorial:
https://youtu.be/lZHSAMd89JE
We recommend only recording lecture and review portions of the class, especially if you are teaching from a classroom. In most cases, you will probably want to avoid recording student discussion.
https://youtu.be/lZHSAMd89JE
We recommend only recording lecture and review portions of the class, especially if you are teaching from a classroom. In most cases, you will probably want to avoid recording student discussion.
Should I disable the Chat feature?
The Chat feature is a powerful tool! Learn about how to enhance your classes with videoconference chats.
Note that when you use Chat in your classes, no one will be able to see chats that were sent before they entered the session or breakout room.
Note that when you use Chat in your classes, no one will be able to see chats that were sent before they entered the session or breakout room.
I’m worried about Zoom-bombing (having my class invaded by outsiders who post offensive material). How do I prevent it?
It’s difficult to entirely prevent Zoom-bombing, but here are some pointers on securing your Zoom call. These pointers are geared toward K-12 educators and some are overly strict for college or constrain important pedagogical tools like the chat. However, many — like not posting the link to your meeting online and considering using a waiting room if you’re worried — will help you strategize.
If you experience Zoom-bombing, you can quickly evict the offending user. Bias-related incidents involving Champlain College students should be reported using the College’s normal bias reporting system.
If you experience Zoom-bombing, you can quickly evict the offending user. Bias-related incidents involving Champlain College students should be reported using the College’s normal bias reporting system.
Using Breakout Rooms
What are the technical requirements for using breakout rooms with my students?
To use breakout rooms, the meeting host (you) must be signed in to Zoom with a licensed (paid) account. If you are using a Basic account or you are not logged in as the host, you will not be able to use breakout rooms. If you join a meeting you’ve already created using the link (for example, from the calendar event), you will not be logged in automatically. To solve this problem, go to your Zoom account, sign in from there, and then join the meeting.
How do I use breakout rooms during a Zoom meeting?
Please check out Zoom’s intro video and platform-specific instructions on running breakout rooms.
I want to pre-assign people to breakout rooms. How do I do that?
This is a function Zoom has. Unfortunately, it requires all participants to have Zoom accounts, which students typically do not. During a meeting, you can set up breakout groups manually (ie, you set the participants) or automatically (Zoom randomly sets the participants). With practice, this does not take long. Make a list of your desired groups in advance of class, and practice using the manual assignment tool with colleagues. We are sorry there is not a better solution for this problem.
What are breakout rooms like for students?
In a breakout room, students can converse independently by both video call and chat (the breakout room chat is confined to that room), and they can share their screens if you have permitted it. They cannot record unless you have manually granted individual students permission to do so (there is rarely a reason to record breakouts, so this should not be an issue for most meetings). They also cannot end the breakout session, although they can leave the breakout room at any time. If students have questions, they can use the “Ask for Help” button to request that you join their room, rather than the “Raise Hand” tool.
Why is there a lag for me or my students when I start or end a breakout session?
This issue may span Zoom’s capacity, individual internet and computer speed, and other factors. Unfortunately, patience is the only solution.
Additional Resources
- Effectively using the chat feature to enhance your meetings (guide by Liz Allen-Pennebaker)
- Top 20 Zoom resources
- 3 Tips to Own the Classroom with Zoom (Bill Hoogterp, Own the Room)
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