Participating in a Zoom meeting

About this article

This article provides an overview of the features and functions of the Zoom web conferencing system. It is intended for all WSU students and employees interested in attending online meetings using Zoom.

What's Zoom?

Zoom is a full-featured web conferencing tool that can be used on desktops, laptops, and mobile devices. It supports video and audio over the Internet, document and screen sharing, and more. Meeting hosts can create meeting sites, provide access to those rooms through a URL, and then use the tools available in the room to facilitate engaging online meetings with anyone in the world via a web browser. WSU employees can create and host Zoom meetings. WSU students can create and host their own Zoom rooms for 1:1 or group meetings. Most faculty and staff use Zoom to support online meetings (e.g., remote classes, virtual office hours, exam review sessions), but it can also be used in a face-to-face meeting or classroom to support communication and collaboration.

Zoom Menu Bar

To enter an Zoom meeting as a participant click on the link provided by the host of the meeting. When you join a Zoom room a menu bar will be at the bottom of your screen. You will need to hover your mouse near the bottom and the Zoom Menu Bar will appear. Below is a description of the items on the menu bar.

Mute/unmute audio
Stop/start video
View a list of participants in the room. This will also allow you to see if anyone raised their hand if they have questions.
Screen share your desktop or specific application
Conduct a group or private
Leave the video meeting

How to Mute and Unmute Your Audio

Select the microphone in the lower left-hand corner of the screen to activate your microphone. Select the icon again to mute.

To select a different microphone or adjust your audio settings select the drop-down next to the microphone icon.

How to Start and Stop Video

Select the camera in the lower left-hand corner of the screen to activate your video. Select the icon again to turn stop your video.

To adjust any video settings select the drop-down next to the video icon.

How to Share Your Screen

During a virtual meeting, you can switch back and forth between screen share and video as often as needed. To share your screen select the “Share Screen” icon.

Then click on the item you want to display, and then click “OK.” You can choose to share a variety of items including any applications that are open, your desktop or a whiteboard. Once you share, the Zoom Menu Bar will be at the top of your screen. Again, you can hover your mouse near the top so that the Zoom Menu Bar will appear.

Participating In a Zoom Meeting

Participant Icon

Select the "Participant" icon to view who is listed in the room. From the participant window you can also raise your hand to ask a question and rename yourself by selecting your name from the participant list.

Chat Icon

Select the "Chat" icon to chat with the entire room or an individual.

Joining Or Leaving a Zoom Room

To join a meeting, you simply click on the link provided by the host. The meeting will open once the host has joined the room. You can leave your meeting room by clicking on the “Leave Meeting” icon in the bottom right-hand corner.

Virtual Meeting Best Practices

It’s important to keep in mind that even though this is a virtual meeting your location and surroundings are important. Here are some basic things to remember to create a professional virtual environment.

Background – Check the background and rid the space of any clutter or distractions. You also want to make sure you are not positioned in front of a window as this can cause you to appear like a shadow. Keep your background simple.
Noise – Is there background noise that could prevent participants from hearing clearly? It is recommended to conduct the webinar in an office or quiet room. Make sure to shut the door and hang a sign stating you are in a virtual meeting asking people not to enter or knock on the door. Also keeping your mic muted when you are not talking can help cut down on excess noise.
Lighting – Double check the lighting when you launch the meeting and the video has started. Make sure more light is on your face than coming from behind you. You might also need to adjust where you are sitting so the light is not right above your head and within the camera framing.
Framing – As an additional consideration be aware of your distance from the camera (not too close, not too far). You want to try and have the camera at eye level.

Support

Contact TLT with any questions regarding Zoom. Email TLT at TLT@Winona.edu, please include Zoom in the subject line. Phone support is available by dialing 507-457-5240, option 2 Monday-Thursday 8:00am-8:30pm, Friday 8:00am-4:00pm

If you would like to set up a testing session with a TLT staff member please send a request to TLT@Winona.edu.

More information

Zoom training

Zoom Help Center
Zoom training from Linkedin Learning
From the Zoom Help Center:
- How do I invite others to join a meeting?
- My Account (account configuration, password reset, meeting-link creation, meeting, scheduling, ...)