Tips for using Zoom

• The most important ingredient is a good internet connection. A slow connection will limit your ability to participate in class discussions. If your wifi connection seems slow, try using an Ethernet connection instead (if available). If someone in your house is downloading (like movies) or browsing internet, you might want them to pause during the class.
• If you don’t have access to a good internet connection, there is a phone option that can be used from anywhere (details provided below).
• Equipment. You can participate in these rooms with any computer or device. But it is essential to have a good headset with a microphone. Without a headset, people may not be able to hear you clearly, noises in your environment could be disruptive to others in the class, and you might be setting off an echo effect that makes conversation difficult. We can’t recommend strongly enough the need for a good headset.
• Do you have a slow connection? Here are two telltale signs:
  • Everyone suddenly looks frozen on the screen.
  • Voices are garbled.

If these things occur, try turning off your video. This may free up your bandwidth for voice transmission. Another option is to leave your video on, and use a phone connection instead of the computer audio. The phone connections are usually excellent, and this will allow you to continue to see everyone (and for others to see you). Remember to mute your mic before switching to the phone (see details below).

How to enter the room

After you click on the Classroom or Shine Room tab, you will see an image on the page. Click on that image, wait a moment, and there you are. The first time you enter the classroom, you will be asked to install a small app. If your internet connection is slow, you can connect by phone.

To connect by phone, read the instruction beneath the comet image. There you will find:

• the phone number for US and Canada
• a link to international access numbers
• and the meeting ID for your class

Classroom controls

There are several icons and buttons in the black border at the bottom of the window. From left to right, they are:

• Microphone Icon: Click on this icon to mute or unmute your mic.
• Audio button: This button opens a window that allows you to switch from computer audio to telephone. It also allows you to test your mic and speakers.
• Video icon. Click on this icon to stop or start your video.
• Settings button. This button opens a window that allows you to set a number of variables. These controls may not be necessary unless you are having technical problems.
• Chat button. This allows you to have a chat conversation with everyone in the class, or with just one person at a time.
• You can go into full screen mode by clicking the top right button.
• Click on the button just to left of the full screen icon to switch between speaker view and gallery view. Gallery view is best for group discussion. Speaker view is better if only one person is talking.