Get started with Zoom For Schools:

 Zoom allows you to video chat with large groups on your computer or mobile device.

Zoom is different from other video chat services in that it allows you to invite as many people as possible. Zoom meetings can host up to 1000 participants. Zoom is used by schools, businesses, and other organizations to hold meetings, classes, and host virtual events. www.office.com/setup

A key feature of Zoom is that participants do not need to have a Zoom account. This makes Zoom easier to use, but it will restrict what you can do.

Privacy and security

It's important that we address privacy and security issues before we go any further with Zoom.

Zoom claims that they have end-to–end encryption. This means that Zoom cannot access audio and video from meetings. Research has shown that Zoom can access meeting data at any time they want. This flaw could lead to the loss of confidential information that was transmitted via the service.

Zoom has also issues with data privacy. It has been found sharing user data without their knowledge with companies such as Facebook. It also keeps files and cloud recordings of meetings. Administrators of paid subscriptions can have incredible control over the accounts of employees of companies and groups. They can monitor the Zoom data and join any employee's meetings without their knowledge or consent.

Zoombombing is the last and most notorious concern. Uninvited users can gain access to meetings and attempt to disrupt them by showing offensive material. The creators of Zoom introduced security updates to combat these trolls. For example, they now require meeting passwords as default.

Many organizations, including NASA, Google and the United States Senate, have banned Zoom's use. Zoom can still be used safely if you take the necessary precautions. www.office.com/myaccount

Setting Up Zoom

Zoom.us is the best place to start. Or, you can download the app for your Android or iOS device.

To create a free account, click the Sign up for free button on the screen. Sign up with an email address or your Google or Facebook account. After you have completed the application, and verified your account, Zoom will automatically install the app on your computer. Follow the prompts for installing the app and sign in to the app.

While you don't need a Zoom account in order to join a meeting we recommend it. You'll miss key features like hosting meetings and having a profile.

Zoom Basic is available for free, but it has some limitations. The meeting will last for 40 minutes and can only be attended by a maximum of 100 people. Once the 40-minute limit is reached, you can instantly reschedule or join the meeting. A subscription can be purchased that removes these limitations and adds additional features such as advanced meeting control and cloud storage for your video recordings.

Joining an Meeting

You have several options to join a Zoom Meeting: you can enter a Meeting ID, click an invitation link or use your web browser. You can choose the method that works best for your needs. 

Join using the Meeting ID

• Click Join from the Zoom main screen
• Enter the Meeting ID and click Join.
• Click Join Meeting to enter the password for your meeting.
• Then you will be asked whether you would like to join with or without videos. Select Join with Video.
• You may be asked to wait in the Waiting Room before you can enter the room. If this is the case, you will stay there until your host permits you to enter.

Use an invitation link to join:

An invitation link is another way to join a meeting. Zoom will ask you if you would like the app to be taken over when you click on a Zoom link. Click Open Zoom to begin the process of joining the meeting. Zoom may require you to give permission for Zoom to use your microphone and camera, particularly if this is your first meeting.

Before clicking on any email link, confirm that it is authentic and trustworthy. Learn more about phishing by reading our lesson Avoiding Spam & Phishing. 

To sign up using a browser:

If you are unable to run the Zoom app, you can still join a meeting via a web browser from your computer or desktop. Zoom's web browser version is limited and not available for mobile devices.

• Zoom.us/join to enter your Meeting ID
• Click here at the bottom of your window. Click Cancel if a pop-up appears asking you to install the Zoom app.
• From your browser, click join
• Join the meeting by entering the password

Click on the Leave Meeting button in the bottom-right corner to cancel a meeting.

Hosting a Meeting

It is easy to host a Zoom meeting. You will need a Zoom account to host a Zoom meeting.

Click New Meeting to start your meeting. If this is your first experience with Zoom, you may need to grant Zoom permission to use your microphone and camera. Your meeting will start once you have done that.

Click Participants at the bottom to invite people to your meeting. Next, select Invite in the Participants box. You can send an email via Gmail or Yahoo Mail. Copy the URL of the meeting, share the Meeting ID, and password. The invitation window will display the ID at the top, and the password in the bottom-right corner.

Zoom generates a new password automatically for each meeting. You can also find the password in the invitation window by clicking on the information icon at the top-left of the meeting screen.

Click End Meeting at the bottom-right corner if you wish to close the meeting. You have two options: you can assign another person to host the meeting, or you can make it public for all participants.

How to secure your meetings

Zoom is designed to be easy to use, but you should still take some precautions. Let's look at some settings and features that will help you keep your Zoom experience safe.

Waiting Room - When someone attempts to join a meeting they are automatically placed in the Waiting Room. They won't be allowed to enter the meeting unless the host approves. This will allow you to filter out unwanted guests and manage the flow of participants. Click Security, then select Enable Waiting Room.

Gallery View Gallery View Gallery View Gallery View is a tool that allows you to organize multiple people in one meeting in a grid-like format. To activate Gallery View, click the Gallery View button in the upper-right corner.

Screen sharing restrictions: A screen sharing participant can display their screen to the whole meeting. Uninvited guests can take advantage of screen sharing to cause chaos. Click the arrow beside Share Screen and choose Advanced Sharing Options. Select Only host to answer the question "Who can post?"

Mute a participant Click on their name to select Mute. The same way can be used to unmute them.

Unwanted guests can be removed: If you wish, you can expel a participant from your meeting. Click on their name and click More to select Remove. This participant will not be allowed to join the meeting by default.

Lock the meeting: You can lock your meeting to prevent others from joining it. Click Security and then Lock Meeting. The same method can be used to unlock the meeting.

Zoom offers many useful features beyond video chat. These include file sharing, meeting transcripts and webinars. Zoom is fine for casual discussions and conversations, but we do not recommend it for sensitive information. We hope that the Zoom creators will continue to improve and strengthen the security of the platform. office.com/setup