Guide to participating in a Zoom Meeting

This quick start guide gives you an introduction to the essentials of joining and participating in a Zoom meeting

Zoom is a cloud-based meeting platform that provides video, audio, and screen sharing options across multiple platforms, including mobile. You can join any Zoom meeting by clicking the meeting URL, or by entering the meeting ID into the Zoom Web Portal, the desktop app, or mobile app

Getting Started

You do not have to have a Zoom account to attend a Zoom meeting. You will be prompted to download the software, once you have clicked on the link that you have been provided. You may also wish to create an account, but that is not required

You will need a computer or device with a webcam and microphone. If you are not sure that your computer meets the necessary System Requirements, please check using the following URL that you are ready to go: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-­­us/articles/201362023-­­System-­­Requirements-­­for-­­PC-­­and-­­Mac

If you do not wish to have an account, all you’ll need to do to participate is click on the link that you have received

Further training

If you would like to receive more comprehensive training there is an excellent LinkedIn Learning course that you can access without charge during the current COVID-19 crisis:

Stay connected with Zoom Meetings 

Join a Meeting

Join a Meeting via URL

1. Click the Meeting URL provided by the host.
2. If necessary, follow the prompts to download and install the Zoom desktop application

NOTE: You will need to download and install the Zoom desktop application to use meeting chat and participate in polls

Join a Meeting Using the Zoom Desktop Application

1. Open your Zoom desktop application
2. Click Join in the Zoom menu 

   

3. Enter the URL or meeting ID in the Enter meeting ID or personal link name field, and, if prompted, the password
4. Click Join
5. If prompted, use 'Join using computer audio' to ensure that you can hear and be heard

NOTE: If the host has decided not to allow participants to join before the host, you will see a message appear on your screen and you will automatically join the meeting when the host arrives

The Zoom meeting window is displayed. A menu bar containing participant tools appears at the bottom of the Zoom meeting. This menu bar will appear and disappear as you roll your mouse over the area. If a meeting is being recorded, an icon will appear at the top of the window

Mute/Unmute Audio and Adjust Audio Options

Using audio in a Zoom meeting requires you to have access to either a microphone through your computer or a telephone. Please be aware that the host can control participant audio in a meeting. This means the host can mute and unmute you at any time. Check the icons in the menu bar and the participants panel to determine your current audio setting

Please note: If you are participating in a Committee meeting or other group discussion, it is good practice and etiquette to mute yourself when you are not speaking as this will cut down considerably on background and distracting noise (just remember to unmute yourself when you wish to speak!)

1. To unmute yourself and begin talking, click the Unmute button (microphone) in the bottom-left corner of the meeting window
2. To mute yourself, click the Mute button (microphone). A red slash will appear over the microphone icon indicating that your audio is now off
3. To test your computer microphone and speakers, click the up arrow to the right of the microphone icon and select Audio settings

NOTE: You can switch to a different audio input device using the Audio Options button. If you have joined the meeting via computer audio, be sure to leave computer audio before dialling in to the meeting via the phone

Send Messages with Chat

You can send a chat message to all participants in the meeting or privately to specific individuals.

Please note: When you enter a meeting, any messages posted in chat prior to you joining the meeting are not visible to you in the chat panel.

Send a Message to Everyone

1. Click the Chat button in the menu bar to open the Chat panel
2. Type your message in the Text box at the bottom of the panel
3. Press Enter to send the message
4. To save the chat transcript, click the More button at the bottom of the chat panel and select Save Chat

Send a Private Message

You can send a private message to a single person by clicking the down arrow in the To: field and selecting the person's name from the list. The person's name will stay selected until you click the down arrow again and select Everyone.

Participate in Polls

The host may ask you to participate in a poll during the session. A poll is typically used for voting or for gathering information from the audience. When the host launches the poll, the poll dialog box will appear on the meeting screen. You can move the poll dialog box to any location on your screen

1. Select the radio button to the left of the desired response
2. Click Submit
3. The poll will disappear from the meeting screen

Provide Feedback with Nonverbal Feedback Icons

Nonverbal feedback icons allow you to indicate to the host that you have a question, let the host know what you are thinking without interrupting the meeting, and respond quickly to questions or prompts from the host. Nonverbal feedback icons include a raise hand, yes, no, thumbs up, away, etc. This feature must be enabled in both the host and participant's meeting settings in the Zoom Web Portal prior to the meeting.

1. Click the Participants button in the menu bar to open the Participants panel
2. Click any nonverbal feedback icon to display the response to the right of your name in the participant panel
3. Click the icon again to clear it
4. Click the …more button to display additional icons, such as thumbs up, thumbs down, etc.
5. You can only have a single icon visible at any time. After clicking an icon, clicking a new icon will overwrite the first icon.

Please note: You may need to enable non-verbal feedback in your meeting settings in the Zoom Web Portal

Leave a Meeting

1. Click the Leave Meeting option in the menu bar to exit the meeting
2. Click the Leave Meeting button in the dialog box