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Zoom

Zoom Status If you're experiencing any issues with Zoom, check the Zoom status page to learn about any current widespread issues with the platform.


Zoom is an online communication and collaboration tool that provides video, web, and audio conferencing, and can be used to host meetings and hold online classes and discussion sessions. Meetings can range in size from just two participants up to 300. Explore the information below to familiarize yourself with Zoom basics, explore hot topics, and learn about advanced features that will make the tool more useful for remote teaching, learning, and working.

UC Merced has an enterprise license and premium accounts have been assigned to all students, faculty, and staff during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. New faculty, staff, or students have automatically provisioned a Zoom Pro license on the first sign-in via SSO to Zoom from any Zoom app.

Zoom In UC Merced Spaces 

Keep in mind when returning to campus, not all classrooms are designed the same way. Depending on the room Zoom may have limited capabilities. To learn which rooms support video conferencing refer to the image below. 

Basic Video Conferencing - These spaces are limited to making calls using an IP address from one device to another.
Limited Zoom Compatibility - These spaces can join Zoom meetings as if they were a Participant: able to share content and hear & see other participants but otherwise unable to interact with or manage the meeting.
Full Zoom Compatibility - These spaces can host or join Zoom meetings, allowing for control and management of that meeting (participants, security, sharing, etc...) from the touch panel in the room.


Current Alerts

1. Zoom Bombing

'Zoom bombing' is a new form of trolling in which a participant uses Zoom's screen sharing feature to interrupt and disrupt meetings and classes.

If you have experienced an incident of Zoom Bombing, please report it via our Report a Cybersecurity Incident form so that our security team can review it.

2. New Zoom Requirement: Waiting Rooms and Passcodes

Changes starting 9/27/20 will help UC Merced further protect Zoom meetings.

Zoom will now require that all meetings have a passcode or a waiting room enabled for all accounts. For those that are already using either a passcode or a waiting room, there will be no changes. Zoom will automatically enable waiting rooms for all meetings starting Sunday, September 27, for those that don't have passwords or waiting rooms already enabled. Visit the OIT Zoom page for more information on how to manage waiting rooms and passcodes.

3. Check for Updates

Zoom has announced that ALL Zoom users must upgrade to Zoom 5.0 by May 30, 2020. As of that date, upgrade to 5.0 will be required to join any Zoom meeting. 

To see instructions on how to update your client, click "Update your Zoom version" under Getting Started below.


Key Features

Zoom Cheat Sheet

Screenshot of example Zoom meeting with descriptions of key features: record, mute, view participants, chat, view

This quick Zoom cheat sheet will help you get oriented to Zoom features quickly.

Click on the image for a larger view or click Quick Zoom Cheat Sheet

Default Zoom Security Settings at UC Merced

OIT has enacted some changes to the default settings for all UC Merced Zoom accounts to increase resiliency to Zoom bombing. The locations listed below will be used for all UC Merced-hosted Zoom meetings by default. These settings can be turned off at an individual account level or per meeting.

 

Default Settings
  • Only authenticated users can join meetings: The default to allow only authenticated users (anyone with a Zoom account) to join meetings has been turned on. If a user attempts to join a meeting without logging in to their Zoom account, they will receive a message to Sign In to Join the meeting. This covers those with Zoom accounts at UC Merced, at other companies or institutions, and free Zoom accounts. To view how to change this default setting see Authentication and Requiring participants to have a Zoom account to join.
  • Require a password when scheduling new meetings: Any scheduled meetings will require that participants use a password to join. A password is randomly provided but can also be changed. Zoom invitations and links will include the password for all invited participants. Dial-in participants can also find the password in the Zoom invitation. See Requiring a password to join a meeting/class for more information on how to set passwords. Passwords are not required for instant meetings. 
  • Screen sharing: Host Only: Participants in Zoom meetings will not be able to share screens with the meeting unless explicitly given permission by the meeting host. For more information on how to either allow or restrict participants from screen sharing go to Managing Participants in a meeting.
  • Annotation: Participants in meetings will be unable to annotate on shared screens. 
  • Allow participants to rename themselves (off): Participants will not be able to change their name in a meeting. The name displayed is that of the account they are joining with. 

 

Changing Default Settings for an Account

Anyone can change the default settings for their Zoom account. Changing these settings will set the new settings for which all meetings will default to. Settings for individual meetings can be changed on a meeting-by-meeting basis if desired. Go to: https://ucmerced.zoom.us/profile/setting and log in with your UC Merced account if not already logged in. 

overview of the toggles on the zoom account settings page

1. Setting is on

2. Setting is off

3. Setting has been changed from the default. Click “Reset” to return the setting to its default state.

 

Changing Settings During a Meeting

During a meeting, there are some settings you can change as needed, all located under the Security button on the bottom bar of your Zoom meeting, as follows:

Zoom Security settings

  1. Lock Meeting: When checked, prevent further participants from joining the meeting.
  2. Enable Waiting Room: When checked, participants joining the meeting will be placed in a waiting room, and the host will need to let them into a Zoom meeting. Directions for adding participants from the waiting room can be found below: Adding participants from a waiting room
  3. Share Screen: When checked, any participants will have the ability to share their screens to the meeting.
  4. Chat: When checked, the Chat option will appear for all participants.
  5. Rename Themselves: When checked, participants can change the way their name is displayed in the meeting.
  6. Unmute themselves: When checked, participants will have control over unmuting and muting their microphones.

 

Changing Settings when Scheduling a Meeting

all options that appear when scheduling a meeting

Many settings can be changed for a particular meeting if desired. When scheduling the meeting, options show up as seen in the above screenshot. Some options are in the “Advanced Options” dropdown. 

 

Breakout Rooms

Breakout Rooms are a feature that allows the Zoom host to divide participants into separate Zoom rooms for participants to do group work. The host can move into each breakout room to observe or collaborate with particular groups and eventually bring the groups back together in the main Zoom meeting.

Click to learn more about Getting Started with Breakout Rooms.

 

Turn On Breakout Rooms

How to select the option of starting a breakout room in an advanced type of Zoom meeting

1. Go to your Zoom Profile Settings and click on “In Meeting (Advanced).” 

2. Click on the toggle next to "Breakout room."

 

Configure Breakout Rooms

Select the number of breakout rooms and how to divide participants

1. The next time you open Zoom, you should see a “Breakout Rooms” button

2. Chose how many breakout rooms you’d like

Dividing participants into rooms: 

3. Choose "Automatically" to have Zoom automatically divide those on the call into groups

 - OR -

4. Choose "Manually" to have Zoom manually assign participants to breakout rooms 

 

Working With Automatically Created Breakout Groups

Option to assign participants to the next breakout room

If you’ve chosen to automatically create groups, the groups and the participants will be listed.

1. Click "Assign" next to each breakout room to choose who you’d like in the room 

2. When you’re ready for everyone to move into the rooms they’ve been assigned to,
click “Open All Rooms.”

 

Joining Breakout Rooms

Select "join" button to join individual rooms, options to broadcast message and close all rooms are available.

Once the breakout rooms are opened,

You can: 

1. Join individual rooms,

-OR-

2. Send a message to everyone in their rooms,

-OR-

3. close all of the breakout rooms.  

 

Asking for Help 

"Ask for Help" button with the options of selecting "Later" and "Join Breakout Room"

Participants in the breakout rooms will also see a “Ask for Help” button that will allow them to request that the host of the Zoom meeting join their room. 

 

Sharing Screen

You can share your screen to everyone in the Zoom meeting. This is helpful if you wish to display a PowerPoint presentation, a meeting agenda, or any other screen or program you’d like the attendees to see.

Click to learn more about how to Share Your Screen.

 

Turn On Screen Sharing

Screenshot how to turn on Screen Sharing with steps called out

1. In your Zoom meeting, click on “Share Screen,” then chose what you want to share. The choice you make will determine what attendees see.

You can: 

2.  Share your entire desktop.

-OR-

3. Share a particular program.

-OR-

4. Share a virtual whiteboard.

 

Virtual Whiteboards

One of the options in the Share Screen feature (above) is the ability to share a virtual whiteboard. Using this creates a blank window in which you can type text, draw, and add stamps. Be aware that your participants can also draw on the whiteboard, but this can be managed by the host!

Click to learn more about Sharing Virtual Whiteboards

 

Turn on Virtual Whiteboard

Screenshot how to turn on virtual whiteboard and button that enables you to add new whiteboards

 


Downloading the Client

The Zoom desktop client is the best method for hosting and joining Zoom meetings as it offers the most features and customizable settings. Mobile Zoom apps are also available for download.

Click here to Download the Zoom Client

Zoom provides regular updates to its platform. If you are having trouble updating the client, click here to download the latest version of Zoom. To see instructions on how to update your client, click on Update Your Zoom Version below.

Signing Into Zoom (SSO)

UC Merced Zoom accounts require login with UC Merced credentials; the process below shows the steps to follow in order to log in. For a complete guide, please see: Signing into Zoom (SSO)

 

Signing Into Zoom with UC Merced SSO

where to click on the sign in with SSO option in Zoomhow to enter text of ucmerced for company domain and click continue to complete sign on

1. Click on "Sign in with SSO."

2. Type "ucmerced" into the "Company Domain" text box

3. Click "Continue."

 

Update your Zoom Version

Ensure you have updated Zoom to the latest version: 5.0. This can be done via "Check for Updates" on the Zoom Client (see above). All users will need to upgrade to version 5.0 by May 30 to continue using Zoom.

 

Check for Updates

How to select the option of starting a breakout room in an advanced type of Zoom meeting

1. Go to the Zoom menu 

2. Click "Check for Updates."

 

Update Zoom

Select the number of breakout rooms and how to divide participants

1. Click "Update"

 

Testing Audio & Video

Zoom offers a test meeting that can be used to adjust your audio and general readiness to participate in Zoom meetings. The on-screen prompts will walk you through testing audio, microphones, and video in this test meeting. This will ensure that you can be seen and heard. The test meeting can be used anytime and is a great feature for those new to Zoom. Send the link to anyone new to Zoom who may be joining your meeting so that they can be prepared ahead of time.

Click to access the Test Meeting.

Headset/Webcam Recommendations

The built-in webcams, microphones, and speakers on many laptops are sufficient to participate in Zoom meetings. If you need additional equipment, OIT recommends the following headset and webcam: 

Host Best Practices

Muting participants on entry

Ensure a smooth start to your meeting by setting up your meeting to mute everyone as they join. This will prevent unwanted noise as everyone gets settled. As you start the meeting, just let all attendees know that they will need to unmute themselves to speak.

Setting Up 'Mute Participants On Entry' 

How to enable a Waiting Room and mute participants on entry with steps called out

1. When you are scheduling your meeting, click “Advanced Options.”

2. Check “Mute participants on entry.”

 

Muting Participants During the Meeting

Screenshot that displays a Zoom screen and indicates where the buttons are to mute participants on entry

 If you have already started your meeting and need to mute participants, 

1. Click “Manage Participants” in the bottom of the Zoom window.

2.Click  “More” 

3. Click on “Mute Participants on Entry” 

 

Turn on your video

Using a webcam and sharing your video to your meeting or class allows for more of an in-person feeling. Facial expressions and hand gestures are an important part of communication that we take for granted when meeting in person. Using video helps bridge the gap and bring meaning and feeling to your presence.

 

Turning on Video

Screenshot that highlights two different options for turning on video

1. Start your video during any Zoom meeting by clicking on “Start Video” on the Zoom toolbar.

2.You can also click on the “^” next to the Start Video button to choose which camera you’d like to use.

 

Set a good scene

You’ll want to put yourself in an area with as little distraction as possible to make the most out of your meeting or class. If you can, find a quiet space where you can be alone. It’s also good to ensure your background is neutral – if you can find a blank wall, that’s best. If you can’t, you might consider using the Virtual Zoom backgrounds.

Click to access Virtual Zoom Backgrounds.

The UC Merced Marketing team has created several UC Merced virtual backgrounds that you can use in your Zoom meetings. Click here to browse & download your favorites.

Muting and unmuting participants

Meeting hosts can mute participants when the need arises. The host can choose to mute all participants or individual mute participants as necessary.

 

Turn On/Off Mute

Screenshot of participants in a Zoom meeting with the steps called out for how to Mute and Unmute participants

1. Click on “Manage Participants”

You can: 

2. “Mute All”  

-OR-

3.You can also “Unmute All”

-OR-

4.Mute individual participants by hovering over their name. 

 


Participant Best Practices

Staying muted until you want to talk

Mute Yourself

Screenshot of how to mute and unmute yourself with steps called out

Typing, pets, kids, and sneezes can all make for a distracting meeting experience. It’s best to mute your microphone until you need to talk and leave unmuted only until you’re finished talking.

1. You can mute your microphone by clicking on the “Mute” icon in the Zoom toolbar.

2. Click the "Unmute" button that appears when you are muted to talk again.

Turn on your video

Video Settings

Screenshot of video settings in a Zoom meeting with buttons on how to turn on video and steps called out

Using a webcam and sharing your video allows for more of an in-person feeling. Facial expressions and hand gestures are important part of communication that we take for granted when meeting in person. Using video helps bridge the gap and bring meaning and feeling to your presence.

1. Start your video during any Zoom meeting but clicking on “Start Video” on the Zoom toolbar.

2. You can also click on the “^” next to the Start Video button to choose which camera you’d like to use.

Set a good scene

You’ll want to put yourself in an area with as little distraction as possible to make the most out of your meeting or class. If you can, find a quiet space where you can be alone. It’s also good to ensure your background is neutral – if you can find a blank wall, that’s best. If you can’t, you might consider using the Virtual Zoom backgrounds.

Click to access the Virtual Zoom backgrounds.

The UC Merced Marketing team has created a number of UC Merced virtual backgrounds that you can use in your Zoom meetings. Click here to browse & download your favorites.

 


Options for Securing Meetings

Authentication and requiring participants to have a Zoom account to join (optional: UC Merced access only)

This option requires participants to have a Zoom account to join your Zoom call. This can help keep unwanted people out of the call and ensure you can see all participant names when they join. Allow only authenticated users is on by default.

 

Setting Authentication when Scheduling a Meeting

Advanced settings in the schedule meeting dialog to set authentication profiles

1. When you are scheduling your meeting, you can find this setting under “Advanced Options”

2. To turn off the default (requires anyone joining the meeting to have a Zoom account), uncheck  “Only authenticated users can join"

3. The default setting is "Sign in to Zoom" which will require anyone trying to join the meeting to have a Zoom account. Participants can join from any Zoom account belonging to any company or institution, or a fee Zoom account.

4. To allow ONLY those with a UC Merced email address to join, make sure the “Only authenticated users can join: Sign in to Zoom” is checked AND select "Only UC Merced Zoom Accounts" from the drop down.

 

Entering an Authenticated Meeting

Select the number of breakout rooms and how to divide participants

Anyone who joins the call will see the following message if they are not signed in to a Zoom account.

Enabling a waiting room

Alert: Starting Sunday, September 27, Zoom will automatically enable waiting rooms for meetings that have not already enabled either a waiting room or passcode. See Zoom Default Settings Changes under Current Alerts above for more information.

A waiting room is an area where people joining your call stay until you move them into your actual Zoom meeting. This can be used to make sure that only those you wish to join your call can enter. Learn more about how to utilize this feature by clicking Enabling a waiting room.

 

Setting Waiting Room when Scheduling a Meeting

How to select the option of starting a breakout room in an advanced type of Zoom meeting

1. When you are scheduling your meeting, you can find this setting under “Advanced Options”  

2. Check “Enable Waiting Room”

 

Entering a Meeting from a Waiting Room

Select the number of breakout rooms and how to divide participants

Anyone who joins the call will see the following message.

Adding participants from a waiting room

Click to learn more about adding participants to a waiting room.

 

Admitting Participants from the Pop Up

How to select the option of starting a breakout room in an advanced type of Zoom meeting

When someone joins a meeting that has a waiting room, the host of the meeting will get a pop up and can chose to Admit the participant. 

 

 

Adding Participants from the Side Bar

Select the number of breakout rooms and how to divide participants

If you miss the pop-up or want to see who’s in the waiting room:

1. Click on "Manage Participants"

2. Click Admit next to the name of the person you want to admit. 

Removing unwanted or disruptive participants from meeting/class

Click to learn more about removing unwanted or disruptive participants from a meeting/class.

 

Removing Someone from an In Progress Meeting

How to select the option of starting a breakout room in an advanced type of Zoom meeting

If you wish to remove someone from your in progress meeting:

1.Click “Manage Participants”

2. Hover over the name to click on the “More” button.

3.Click on “Remove”

 

Confirm Removing Participant

Select the number of breakout rooms and how to divide participants

You will be prompted to confirm that you want to remove the participant. 

 

 

Setting and Modifying the password to join meeting/class

By default, all scheduled meetings require a password that people joining the Zoom meeting must have in order to join. A password is randomly assigned, but can be changed. Passwords can contain letters and numbers, but if the password has letters, Zoom will provide a numeric password for those dialing in by phone. Click to learn more about requiring a password to join a meeting/class.

 

Setting Password when Scheduling a Meeting

How to select the option of starting a breakout room in an advanced type of Zoom meeting

1. A password will be required if  “Require meeting password” is checked.

2. You can use the password automatically generated or set your own by typing it in the space provided.

 


Other Features

Virtual Backgrounds

If you have a messy room or want to have a bit of fun, Zoom lets you choose a virtual background to be displayed behind you while you’re using your webcam. Click to learn more about Virtual Backgrounds

How to select the option of starting a breakout room in an advanced type of Zoom meeting

The UC Merced Marketing team has created several UC Merced virtual backgrounds that you can use in your Zoom meetings. Click here to browse & download your favorites.

 

Setting up Virtual Background

How to select the option of starting a breakout room in an advanced type of Zoom meeting

1. When you have the Zoom app open, click on the gear icon.

2. In the upper right-hand corner to open you options. Click on “Virtual Background” 

3.  Then you can add your own photo by clicking on the “+”

 - OR -

4. Chose from one of the provided photos or previous photos you have added.

5. Once you set a virtual background, it will appear for all of your meetings. You can disable it again by following the above instructions and clicking on “None” if you’re not in a meeting.

 

Turning Off or Changing Virtual Background

Select the number of breakout rooms and how to divide participants

1.If you wish to turn your virtual background off or change it for a particular meeting, click on the “^” next to “Start/Stop Video”

2. Click on “Choose Virtual Background” to be taken to the screen above.

Zoom Accessibility

Visit this website for information on making Zoom accessible for meeting participants.

Zoom Polling

 

Learn more about Zoom Polling here.

Non-verbal feedback & Reactions

Non-verbal feedback is an option a meeting host can turn on that allows participants in the meeting to be able to give a number of feedback options such as yes, no, slow down, speed up). Reactions are an additional feedback method that allows participants to use emojis. These are particularly helpful in large meetings and classes, as they allow the host or co-hosts to monitor the non-verbal feedback to manage questions or the presentation at hand.

 

Enabling Non-verbal Feedback & Reactions

Basic settings in the Zoom settings webpage to enable nonverbal feedback and reactions

Start by heading to your Zoom settings in the web interface: https://ucmerced.zoom.us/profile/setting

1. Click on "In Meeting (Basic)".

2. Scroll down a little bit to find the "Nonverbal feedback" line and click the toggle so it is on.

3. Toggle on "Meeting Reactions".

 

Feedback & Reactions Participants Can Use

reactions button options

Anyone who joins the Zoom meeting can open up the Reactions panel to see the options above and click on them to provide feedback during the meeting.

Automatic Zoom Meeting Feature for Outlook and o356

OIT has configured our UC Merced email so that a new Zoom integration for Outlook will automatically be available to all UC Merced users in o365 webmail, Outlook for Mac, and Outlook for PC. This integration allows you to generate Zoom links and invites within the add appointment window for Outlook and o365 webmail. ⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣
If you can’t see the Add Zoom Meeting button, it may be hidden under the “…” in the menu, which signifies there are more items. You will be prompted to sign into your Zoom account the first time you use this feature. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Tips: ⁣
• Add your meeting title before pressing the Add Zoom Meeting button or you won’t see your meeting title in your Zoom meeting schedules. ⁣⁣⁣
• If you cancel or delete the meeting in Outlook, the meeting will still show up in your Zoom meetings list.⁣
• If you delete the meeting in Zoom, the Outlook event will continue to exist, but the Zoom link will not work.

 

Using Meeting Feature

Basic settings in the Zoom settings webpage to enable nonverbal feedback

Delegate Access

If you need to schedule Zoom meetings on someone else's behalf, or you need someone else to be able to schedule Zoom meetings on your behalf, Zoom and Outlook together offer features to meet such needs. First, follow the steps below to Grant Delegate Access in Outlook, then follow the steps to Assign Delegate Access in Zoom.

 

Grant Delegate Access in Outlook

In order to allow another person to schedule on your behalf, you must first establish Delegate Access within Outlook to give them permission to schedule on your Calendar and send Zoom invitations via email.

Establishing Delegate Access in Outlook 2016 on Windows 10

Establishing Delegate Access in Outlook 2016 on Mac

 

Assign Delegate Access in Zoom

Select the number of breakout rooms and how to divide participants

1.Log into your Zoom profile at: https://ucmerced.zoom.us/profile

2. Click on  Settings and scroll down until you see "Schedule Privilege."

3. Add the e-mail address of the person you wish to be your delegate.

4. Click "Assign."

 

Adding an Appointment on the Delegator's Calendar

How to select the option of starting a breakout room in an advanced type of Zoom meeting

Delegates should follow these steps in order to schedule a Zoom meeting on the delegator's behalf. If the delegate cannot see the delegator's calendar, please see the above for setting up delegate access in Outlook. You may need to restart Outlook after delegate access is established to see the delegator's calendar.

1. In Outlook, click on the checkbox next to the name of the delegator under "My Calendars."

2. Right-click on the delegator's calendar, which should show up on the right side of your own calendar, and click "New Appointment."

1. Enter your meeting title.

2. Click on "Add a Zoom Meeting."

Enabling Automatic Zoom Recording Upload to Kaltura for Instructional Video in CatCourses

For instructors who are using Zoom to record lectures or other content and want to provide those recordings in your CatCourses site, you can set up your Zoom recordings to be automatically uploaded into Kaltura at the end of your recording session. Instructors can then choose to publish those recordings to be visible to their students within CatCourses. The three steps below outline how to set this up:

 

1. Turn on the Cloud Record Option in your Zoom Settings

turn on the cloud recording toggle on the Zoom settings pagge under the recording tab

  1. Click on https://ucmerced.zoom.us/profile/setting to access your Zoom Profile Settings.
  2. Click on the Recording tab.
  3. Click on the toggle to the right of Cloud recording to ensure it is on.

 

2. Record Your Zoom Meeting Using the Record to the Cloud Option

Click on the Record button in a Zoom meeting

  1. During your Zoom meeting, click on Record.
  2. Click Record to the Cloud to begin recording.
  3. Clicking Stop Recording or ending the meeting will stop the recording, and it will automatically begin uploading to Kaltura. By default, Zoom will email you when this process is completed.

 

3. Publish your video in Kaltura Media Gallery to share with your class.
  1. If you have not enabled Kaltura Media Gallery in your CatCourses course, please see our guide on Enabling Hidden LTI Tools in CatCourses.

viewing the Kaltura Media Gallery to Add Media

2. In the Kaltura Media Gallery, click + Add Media.

publish media in the Kaltura Media Gallery

3. Check the box next your Zoom recording(s).

4. Click Publish.

The video is now available for students to watch in the Kaltura Media Gallery navigation item. You can also embed the video in other parts of your CatCourses site, such as Pages, Discussions, and Assignments. Please see our guide: Embedding a Kaltura Video in CatCourses for a step-by-step guide.

Turning on Live Captions for Meetings or Webinars

Zoom has a feature called Live Captions that uses machine-generated captioning to help create captions as people speak. Being machine-generated, these captions generally do not have a high enough accuracy to meet ADA or WCAG requirements, but they can help bridge the gap. The steps below outline how to set this up and offer additional options one can use in addition to the built-in live transcripts:

 

1. Turn on the Closed Captioning Feature in Your Zoom Account Settings

turn on the closed captuons toggle on the Zoom settings pagge under In Meeting (Advanced)

  1. Click on https://ucmerced.zoom.us/profile/setting to access your Zoom Profile Settings.
  2. Click on "In Meeting (Advanced)".
  3. Click on the toggle to the right of Cloud recording to ensure it is on.
  4. Click Save.

 

2. Turn on the Live Transcription During Your Meeting

Click on the Live Transcript button while in a Zoom Meeting to access captioning options

  1. During your Zoom meeting, click on Live Transcript
  2. Click on "Enable Auto-Transcription" to enable the built-in machine-generated transcription.
  3. Alternatively, you can click on "Assign a participant to type" for a live captioner to manually type captions OR
  4. "I will type" if you as host, will be manually typing the captions OR
  5. If you have a license with a third-party captioning service, you can click on "Copy the API token," which you will then provide to the third-party service to connect to your meetings.

Using Zoom Polls for Formative Assessment and Student Engagement

Zoom Polls can be a great way to conduct formative assessments and engage students in synchronous classes held over Zoom. There are three parts of using Polls in Zoom: enabling the feature for your Zoom account, creating the polls for your Zoom meeting, and accessing the responses after the meeting.

 

1. Turn on the Zoom Polls Option in your Zoom Settings

turn on the polling toggle on the Zoom settings page under the meeting tab

  1. Click on https://ucmerced.zoom.us/profile/setting to access your Zoom Profile Settings.
  2. Click on "In Meeting (Basic).
  3. Scroll until you see the "Polling" option and click on the toggle to the right to turn it on.

 

2. Set up your Zoom Meeting and Create the Poll

creating the zoom meeting within the zooms course navigation item in CatCourses

  1. Go to your course in CatCourses and click on Zoom in the course navigation menu.
  2. Create your Zoom meeting for your class as you normally would and save it. We do recommend checking the "Only authenticated users can join" option as this will ensure student names and email addresses are associated to their poll responses.

finding the meeting on the Zoom meetings webpage

3.Go to https://ucmerced.zoom.us/meeting and click on the title of the meeting you just created.

adding a zoom pool in the meeting details section

4. Scroll to the bottom o the page and click on "Add" under the "Poll" heading.

5. You can add as many questions and answers as you like and give your poll a title.

6. Click "Save".

You can add additional polls if you would like. This is helpful when you want to ask questions at different times during your meeting.

polling button on bottom tool bar during zoom meeting

When you have your Zoom meeting, a button labeled Polling will show up in the meeting bar and you will click on this to start the poll. If you made multiple polls, you will be able to choose which one you want to use. Results are saved automatically.

 

3. Access Poll Results

 

finding the meeting in CatCourses once the meeting is concluded

1. When the meeting is over, go back to your course in CatCourses and click on the Zoom navigation item.

2. Click on "Previous Meetings".

3. Click on "Report" next to the meeting you want to see the poll results for.

zoom report link in CatCourses

4. Click on "Poll Report". You'll be able to view the responses of the poll as well as download an excel file with responses by clicking on "Export as CSV File".

Joining Multiple Zoom Meetings

You can join multiple Zoom meetings simultaneously on your desktop. This is helpful if you wish to attend multiple Zoom meetings happening at the same time.

Click to learn more about how to Join Multiple Zoom Meetings.

 

Turn On Join Multiple Meetings

Screenshot how to turn on Screen Sharing with steps called out

  1. Start by heading to your Zoom settings in the web interface: https://ucmerced.zoom.us/profile/setting
  2. Click “Join different meetings simultaneously on desktop” (under “In Meetings (Basic))” to turn on this feature.
  3. To join the first meeting, you can join by either clicking the Join button, using the join URL, or by entering the meeting ID.
  4. For each additional meeting you want to join, you will need to use the join URL in your browser and Zoom will automatically launch the meeting.

Note: This feature doesn't allow you to host multiple concurrent meetings at the same time.