Zoom

Zoom logoZoom is a videoconferencing tool but its features allow you to do so many things that we consider it our Swiss Army knife of tools. Zoom's record feature allows you to make screencasts, voice over PowerPoints, film yourself talking, and use the whiteboard function to create tutorials. Below are some examples. We should note, however, that Zoom is really good at what it was designed to do, videoconferencing. At the very bottom of the page you will find links for how to setup breakout rooms and schedule a recurring meeting for office hours.

 

ZOOM FOR EQUATIONS AND OTHER DRAWINGS

Faculty frequently request a tool that will allow them to create Khan Academy-style Links to an external site. videos, a tool that allows them to explain equations or other types of handwritten material at the same time they are writing. One of the easiest ways to do this is to attach an iPad to your computer and then open up a Zoom meeting. Once you're in the meeting, click on "Share" and then choose the iPad as what you want to share. The recording above uses the notebook function on the iPad. Once recorded, Zoom will download the result as an mp4 when the meeting ends. You can then upload it to Arc and replace the thumbnail (optional). Here is a Download Help Guide

for using an iPad with Zoom for setting up the iPad but we are happy to help. You are always welcome to use one of CDLI's iPads Links to an external site..

 

ZOOM FOR DEBATES

Instructors sometimes lament that there is no way to carry over the debate assignments from their face-to-face classes. But there is! Students can debate in Zoom and record their debates. Even better, student debates can be uploaded into Arc and then shared within a commenting framework so that classmates can comment on specific parts. The trick is to change the video layout so that all  debaters get the same amount of screen real estate. Actually, it's not much of a trick; it's pretty easy. Here is how to change the video layout Links to an external site..

 

RECORD A PODCAST WITH ZOOM

For assignments like Interview an Expert or Reader's Theater, Zoom is a great way to record a podcast. Another handy use for Zoom is to create a Guest Speaker podcast that you can include in a Canvas course. A podcast often has the benefit of feeling less stilted than a person trying to talk to their webcam.

 

ZOOM BREAKOUT ROOMS FOR GROUP WORK

There may be times when you would like to meet synchronously with your students via Zoom. However, depending on how many students are in your class, this can seem a bit daunting and unlikely to provide fruitful discourse. The answer is to use Zoom breakout rooms. It's easy to send people off to rooms, call them back, and visit each room as needed while students are working.

In addition, here is how to: