This article is designed to walk you through the basic steps of setting up a standard Elon classroom for a blended class session using newly installed technology equipment and Zoom web conferencing. Following these steps, you will learn how to launch a live stream of your class session and, if desired, record the session for later sharing.
Note: The directions below instruct you to connect to the Avaya HCO20 in-class camera. These are the most common cameras, however several classrooms have 1 Beyond or Vaddio cameras. The directions below still hold true with the exception of connecting the audio and video source. For these cameras, choose the following audio source: Microphone: "Shure P300 Echo Cancelling Speakerphone (3-Shure P300)"; Speaker: "Crestron (Intel(R) Display Audio)." For the 1 Beyond camera video source, choose Osprey VB-USL Video Bridge. For the Vaddio camera video source, choose to connect to the USB camera.
Get Started
- With a wipe from the sanitation station, wipe down the instructor station area.
- Turn the Crestron on.
- Turn the instructor computer on and log in.
Launch Zoom
- In a web browser, go to elon.zoom.us. Choose Host if you haven’t previously scheduled a meeting. It will ask you for permission to run the Zoom app (and may even download it). The following instructions assume you are using the Zoom app. A few things are slightly different if you run from the web instead, including the ability to Test Speaker and Microphone settings in the next step.
- Note: to instructors using a Mac: When utilizing the microphone, camera, and sharing screen functions in Zoom, you may be prompted to allow Zoom access. Choose "OK" to allow access.
- First, choose Test Speaker and Microphone.
- You will be asked if you hear a ringtone. It should be heard from the classroom speakers. If you cannot hear it, you can turn up the volume on the Crestron, and make sure the audio source is the Desktop computer .
- If your attempts to hear sound from the classroom speakers are unsuccessful, call the Technology Service Desk for assistance at (336) 278-5200.
- You will be asked to speak and pause. Upon replay, what you said should be heard from the classroom speakers. You can choose which microphone to use:
- Avaya HC020: The webcam microphone (if this option does not appear, press the power button on the provided remote to turn the camera on)
- Instructor Station Microphone: Most likely listed as Microphone Array (RealTek Audio); may work best if you are positioned near the station
- External Microphone: Will be listed if connected; may include USB microphones available for long-term checkout through Media Services
When you are satisfied with the sound quality, select yes to continue.
- Now, choose Join With Computer Audio (twice).
Manage Your Class in Zoom
- If you need to invite students to the meeting, share the meeting number with them, which is located in the information button in the top left corner of the screen. Participants can join by entering that number in the Zoom app or at elon.zoom.us.
- At any point during your class (meeting), you can mute audio, stop video, or change the microphone or camera used for input. To change the microphone or video source, select the up arrow to the right of the respective button, in the lower control strip.
- Note: If Avaya HC020 does not appear as an option, press the power button on the provided remote to turn the camera on.
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The Record button allows you to record and save the class session (meeting) for future use. Recording to the cloud is recommended.
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Select Participants in the control bar at the bottom of the screen to view a list of attendees. To adjust settings, select the three (3) horizontal dots in the bottom right corner of the Participants list to view options, which include:
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Enable Waiting Room: Your approval is required for each participant before they are allowed to enter the class session
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Mute Participants Upon Entry: A good policy for online sessions as it helps to prevent unwanted distractions
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Lock Meeting: Secures the session and prevents undesirable intrusions
Spotlight the Classroom Camera
In Zoom, you may view participants video feeds in Gallery View, which displays video feeds in a grid format, or in Speaker View, which displays one speaker/video feed at a time based on the present speaker.
If you want the Speaker View to maintain focus on a specific area, such as a whiteboard, find and select the video feed that shows the specified area. Then, right-click on the video and choose Spotlight Video from the list of available options. There must be at least three (3) participants in the session for the Spotlight Video option to appear.
If you decide to spotlight a whiteboard in your course, all writing should be as large as possible to permit optimal readability for in-person and remote students.
Share a Presentation
- Open PowerPoint (or whatever program you want to share a presentation from). Load the file you want and choose to present it.
- Back in the Zoom app, choose the Share Screen option. You will be given a selection of open programs to share. Choose the PowerPoint presentation you are running.
- For remote students, the presentation will show on their screen. For in-room students, the presentation will show on the projector. There may be a small picture from the classroom webcam. You can choose to stop sharing at any time from the menu at the top.
End the Class
When class is over, select end to conclude the Zoom meeting for you and your students. Recording also will end, and after video processing is complete, you will receive an email confirmation from Zoom with links to access, download or share the file directly from the service.
To share your video, copy and paste the link into your Moodle course, email the link to students or download the video and upload it to Kaltura. From there, you can import the video into Moodle. For help, review Add a Video to Moodle Using Kaltura in the IT Self-Service portal.
Explore Additional Features
Zoom offers many other useful features including: