How to Zoom
Zoom is a web-based video conferencing tool that allows users to meet online, with or without video. When you “join a meeting” you can both see (if they have joined with video) and hear the other participants! You can join a meeting via the desktop client or use a mobile app on your phone or tablet, or even just use your phone. Below are some general instructions on how to use zoom, for more information visit the zoom help center. We also have a couple of parishioners who have kindly offered to assist those who have questions, please email Jennifer Williams to request help.
Joining a Meeting
Each meeting will have it’s own unique link. Simply click the link and follow the prompts to join with a smartphone, tablet, or computer. If it is your first time using Zoom you will be prompted to download the software/app if it is not already installed on your device.
If you have trouble joining a meeting from the unique link, use this general link https://zoom.us/join and enter the specific ID# and password when prompted. You can find meeting IDs and passwords in the Grace Church newsletter or in the meeting email sent by the host.
Consider joining a test meeting in advance to familiarize yourself with Zoom. Give it a try here: https://zoom.us/test. Don’t worry – no one can see you in the test meeting but you will be able to see how you will look to others and test your audio.
When joining a meeting, you are welcome to join with audio alone. But please do join with video if you are able, it helps us feel connected to see one another’s faces!
If you do not have a microphone or speaker on your PC and do not have a smartphone or tablet, you can also join a meeting with your phone. Just dial the number given for the meeting and enter the meeting ID, followed by #, when prompted.
Join A Meeting video tutorial: https://youtu.be/hIkCmbvAHQQ)
During a Meeting
Once you’ve joined a meeting you will see a control bar at the bottom of your zoom screen. learn more about attendee controls
It’s good practice to mute yourself when not speaking so others can’t hear any background noise that might be in your space, like your dishwasher, dogs, or even the sound of typing on your computer. (If you have them, using earbuds or headphones will also help reduce background noise for other participants.) Find the mute icon at the left end of your Zoom Control Bar. Be sure to un-mute yourself when you want to speak!
The meeting host has the ability to mute everyone at once and may do so during points of the meeting. This is especially helpful when saying/singing things in unison, as there can be lags in the feed that make it difficult for all participants to stay in sync.
Look for guidelines from the host about how to ask a question or make a comment. Some encourage questions/participation via the chat feature. Alternatively, some hosts ask that you raise a hand. To do that, or give other reactions, click the reactions icon in the zoom control bar.
Click “participants” to see a full list of those in the meeting with you. Click “chat” to open a group chat window to communicate with the group without speaking. Even if the “share screen” button is enabled, please don’t share your screen unless asked to do so by the host!
If you are using zoom on your computer you can choose to only view the active speaker or choose the gallery/grid view to show up to 49 participants at once in Brady Bunch fashion. On the desktop client, that control will be up in the right top corner. more information
The instructions and etiquette above are relevant to zoom in general. As we progress through the days ahead Grace Church may develop some best practices specific to our congregation and use of the platform. Those will be shared as we go!