Zoom Student Guide

Zoom is the video conferencing tool used to attend live class meetings, lectures, or virtual office hours. This guide will help you prepare and become familiar with Zoom.

NOTE: If you prefer to download a copy of this information you can do so by clicking on the FCC Zoom Student Guide Links to an external site..

You can access Zoom in Canvas by clicking on Zoom in a course menu. Your instructor may also share a Zoom meeting link with you through email, Canvas Announcement or other communication, where you will be able to simply click on the link to join.

 
  

USING ZOOM FOR THE FIRST TIME

The first time you join a meeting from your computer, the Zoom desktop app will download to your computer. Every time after, when you join a Zoom meeting, there will be a pop-up to open the Zoom meeting through the desktop app.

  

Practice using Zoom in a Test Meeting

You can join a test Zoom meeting to familiarize yourself with Zoom and test your microphone/speakers before joining a live Zoom meeting. Visit zoom.us/test Links to an external site. and click on Join.

 

JOINING A ZOOM MEETING FROM CANVAS

Many of your instructors will already have scheduled Zoom meetings within their course. When you are in a course you can click Zoom on the course menu and a list of scheduled meetings will appear. Make sure to join the correct scheduled meeting.

 

You can also view scheduled Zoom meetings by clicking on the Calendar icon in Canvas and see any scheduled events or meetings for all your courses.

  

 

 

After you join the meeting, you will receive a prompt for audio options. If you have multiple mics or speakers on your device, make sure to select the correct one to be able to speak and hear during the meeting.

  

Once in the meeting there may be a shared screen or multiple boxed images of other participants. At the bottom of the screen you will see the in-meeting controls that allow you to participate with your instructor and other students.

 

ZOOM IN-MEETING CONTROLS

In a meeting you can access the meeting controls located at the bottom of the meeting window. If you are the host (person who scheduled the meeting) you will see more meeting controls. As a participant (person who joins a meeting) your controls may be limited depending on the settings from the host. Participant meeting controls will appear similar to the following.

 

  

 

Unmute: Used to mute and unmute your microphone. Clicking on the ^ arrow next to Mute/Unmute will give you access to change the microphone and speaker.

Start Video: Used to turn your camera on or off. Clicking on the ^ arrow next to Start Video/Stop Video will give you access to change cameras, if you are using more than one, and select a virtual background.

Participants: Used to see who is currently in the meeting. You can also change your screen name displayed and choose to share/unshare your pronouns.

Chat: Access the chat window to chat with other participants.

Share Screen: If the host allows, you will be able to start a screen share and select to share your desktop or an application from your computer.

Show Captions: If the host allows, click to start viewing either manual or automated captions.

Reactions: Allows you to communicate issues or feedback to the host without disrupting the meeting. Reactions include such items as nonverbal feedback and raise hand.

Leave: Leave the meeting.

 

ACCESSING ZOOM CLOUD RECORDINGS

Your instructor may record Zoom meetings and allow you to view the video at a time that is convenient for you. If your instructor provides a direct link, you can simply click on the link to view the recording. The recording will open a new tab where you will be able to play the video.

Another option is to click on Zoom in the course and select the Cloud Recordings tab.

 

Any recordings that your instructor has saved to the cloud will be listed here. To view a recording simply click on the Topic. This will open a new tab in your browser.

 

In the new tab, you will see the playback menu at the bottom of the screen [1]. This is where you can play and pause the video, adjust the volume and speed, enable the closed captions, or expand to full screen. On the sidebar you will also be able to view and search the audio transcript for the video [2]. You may also download the video file to view offline if your instructor has enabled this option. Once you are done viewing the recording you can close out of the tab.

 

HOW TO UPDATE TO THE LATEST VERSION OF ZOOM

It is important to keep your desktop app updated on your computer. You can check Zoom’s Download Center (https://zoom.us/download Links to an external site.) to make sure you have the latest version available.

If you registered for a personal Zoom account you can log into the Zoom desktop app, under your profile check for updates to ensure you are on the latest version.

 

USING ZOOM FROM A MOBILE DEVICE OR TABLET

To use Zoom from your mobile device or tablet you will need to download the Zoom mobile app first. When you click on a Zoom meeting link from your device, this will open the Zoom mobile app so you can participate in the meeting.

 

NEED HELP?

For any questions regarding Zoom contact the FCC Technology Support Services Help Desk.

Phone: 559.443.8670 ext. 8670
Email: helpdesk@fresnocitycollege.edu

_{Updated May 18, 2023}