Tips and Tricks for Large Group Online Lessons using Zoom

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General

Here are some Tips and Tricks for Large Group Online Lessons using Zoom.

DURING PLENARY SESSIONS

Keep your microphone muted unless invited to turn it on.
You will probably want to use “Speaker View” during plenary sessions so you can see the instructor clearly. When there is more than one instructor involved (fireside chats, video debriefs, etc.) you may want to switch to “Gallery View”.
If questions are invited, please click on the “Raise Hand” button at the bottom of the participants list (available on your meeting tools). We may not be able to call upon everyone but you will have a chance to speak at greater length during the small group sessions. If you are called upon, please turn on your video and don’t forget to unmute!
Polls may be used during presentations – please participate! You will see the poll question in the chat; click on your choice quickly so your input will be a part of the results shared with all participants.
Instructors will share their screen while presenting, in order to show you PowerPoint slides and other resources. You may want to go to “Side-by-side Mode” in order to balance your view between the slides and the instructor; click on “View Options” beside the green ribbon saying “You are viewing (instructor’s) screen” and you can slide the divider between the slides and video panes to the left or right.

DURING SMALL GROUP (Break-out) SESSIONS

You will be moved automatically: your Zoom screen will dissolve and you will see a small message saying “Joining breakout rooms…” before you arrive in the room.
Keep your video and microphone on – this is your chance to participate more actively in small groups.
You will probably want to use “Gallery View” during plenary sessions so you can see all the group participants while working together.
When the breakout rooms are about to close a message will appear on the screen reminding you of the remaining time.
When it is time to return to the main room you will see a message saying “Breakout rooms will close in X seconds…”. You can leave immediately by clicking “Leave room” – you will not leave the meeting but only the breakout room and will find yourself back in the main room.