Introduction

Wilson College has contracted with Zoom to have every member of the college community receive a Zoom account for web-conferencing. There are 2 types of accounts, basic and pro. A basic account limits meetings with 3+ people to 40 minutes. A pro account has no limits except for you can't have more than 100 people in your meeting. All students start out with a basic account. The Wilson College Zoom Landing Page is https://wilson.zoom.us

How to upgrade to Pro

If you have a group project that requires you to meet with 3+ people for more than 40 minutes, please email james.dannibale@wilson.edu to request your Pro upgrade (free to you). You will get a Pro license for the duration of your project and then will be reverted back to Basic. Please only have 1 person in your group ask for the Pro license. That 1 person will be the "group leader" that will schedule the meetings.

Installing Zoom

Desktop Program for PC or Mac

To get the desktop program for PC or Mac, go to the Zoom Download page and download/install the Zoom Client for Meetings.

Once you have the client, you will sign in using the Sign in with SSO option. The next screen will ask for the Domain. You'll just type Wilson into that box. When you click "Continue" it'll open your web browser to have you sign in to our SSO system.

Mobile App

For installing and using the iOS app for iPads, IPhones, or iPod Touches, read the Getting Started with IOS page from Zoom.

For installing and using the Android app, read the Getting Started with Android page from Zoom.

On a Chromebook or other Chrome OS device

There is a Chrome Web Store application for Zoom. Read the Getting Started on Chrome OS page for instructions.

Creating a Zoom Meeting

Start an Instant Meeting and invite people

From the Home Screen of the Zoom app, click on "Start with video" or "Start without video." A Zoom meeting will pop up and then you can use the Invite button at the bottom of the meeting to invite people. Instructions are on the How Do I Invite Others to Join a Meeting Zoom page.

Schedule a Meeting for Later

There are 2 main ways to schedule a meeting. One is to schedule it within the Zoom program or app. Another is to schedule from your Zoom account in a web browser. Directions for both ways (and others) can be found at the How Do I Schedule Meetings Zoom page. If you have scheduled a meeting for later, you'll need to join the meeting as the host at the scheduled time. To see how to do this, read the How Do I Start or Join a Scheduled Meeting as the Host Zoom page.

Attending someone else's Zoom Meeting

Outside of Canvas

How you join the meeting depends on how you were invited to the meeting. Most of the time, someone will send a url that you can click on. If you already have the Zoom program or app, the meeting will open automatically. If you do not, Zoom will prompt you to either install the program or use a temporary means of accessing the meeting. All the details are on the How Do I Join a Meeting Zoom page.

Inside Canvas

If your professor is using the Canvas Integration, any meetings he/she schedules will appear on your Canvas Calendar.

Things you can do in Zoom

Chat

There is an instant messenger feature in the Zoom program/app that should free you from sending so many short frivolous emails. If you need to ask someone if they want to go to lunch, just send a chat message. To use chat, go to Contacts in the program/app, put your mouse over someone's name and click Chat.

Use Webcam and Microphone

You'll see the audio and video options in the bottom-left corner of a meeting. If you click on the arrow next to audio or video you can see what devices are available and which are selected. Audio and video are the 2 things that are most important to test out ahead of time if you're new to Zoom. If you're having trouble with audio, view the Audio Help Zoom page. If you're having trouble with video, read the Video Help Zoom page. You can also contact the Wilson Helpdesk or James D'Annibale.

screenshot of audio and video options in a zoom meeting

Record Your Meeting

Zoom meetings can be recorded to your computer's hard drive. Directions are on the Local Recording Zoom page. The recording will be saved as an MP4 file in either the default location or whatever location you selected. Again, read the instructions to figure that out. Since we also have Panopto at Wilson College, you could then share your MP4 file by uploading it to Panopto. You can see how to upload videos to Panopto by watching this Recording Zoom and Uploading to Panopto video.

Share your Screen

You can share your screen with people in your meetings. There's a "Share Screen" button at the bottom of the meeting. To learn more, read the How Do I Share My Screen Zoom page.

How to get help

If you have a technical problem with Zoom, please email helpdesk@wilson.edu

If you need help learning to use Zoom, please email james.dannibale@wilson.edu

Note: You can practice using Zoom by using the Test meeting available at the How Do I Test Prior to Joining a Meeting Zoom page.

This Zoom One-pager might also be helpful for you.

What if I don't have any equipment like a webcam?

The library purchased some equipment you can check out. Please see James D'Annibale or email james.dannibale@wilson.edu if you need any of this

webcams
headsets
all-in-one webcam, speaker, and microphone
usb microphones
usb microphone and speaker