Setting Up Zoom for Teaching

Find out how to prepare for teaching on Zoom — everything you need to know before hosting a meeting.

​To use Zoom for teaching, you will need:
  • access to your Zoom account
  • the Zoom application installed on your computer
  • to set up a Zoom meeting for your class
  • share the meeting URL and other details with your students
  • give clear guidelines on zoom class expectations and a code of conduct.
Instructions for these steps can be found below.
Creating a Zoom account
Go to vuw.zoom.us and use VUW staff sign-in option at top right and sign in with your university credentials.
This takes you to your profile page where you can access the details of your personal meeting room, see previous recordings and meetings and edit your Zoom settings. 
VUW teaching staff can also request a Course Zoom Account.
Installing Zoom and signing into the application
Installing Zoom:
If you are using a university computer, the Zoom application should already be installed. If not, you can access it through the Software Centre.
Install Zoom on your personal device:
  1. To download the Zoom application onto your computer, go to vuw.zoom.us 
  2. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the Download section and pick Meetings Client 
  3. Download the Zoom Client for Meetings. This will load the Zoom application onto your computer.
Alternatively, download Zoom by following this link: https://zoom.us/support/download
When you want to start a meeting or join a meeting, you can do so by opening this application.
Signing into Zoom:
Click on the Zoom application icon on your computer. This will open a window asking if you want to join a meeting or sign-in. 
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​To sign in with your VUW account click on the Sign in with SSO option. It will ask for the Company Domain - enter 'VUW' and click continue. Sign in using your University credentials. This will launch the Zoom application for you.
Setting up a Zoom meeting
There are multiple different ways to set up and start a Zoom meeting. Below are the two main options.
(1) Using your Personal Meeting Room
Hosting meetings using your Personal Meeting Room is a great option if you are:​​
    a. using a course Zoom account for teaching
    b. just wanting to run a short or instant meeting
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Meetings in your Personal Meeting Room:
  • Your Personal Meeting Room is a virtual meeting room that is permanently available to you.
  • Share your 'Personal Link' with others at any time to allow them to join you in your Personal Meeting Room.
  • Because your Personal Meeting Room is always available to you, you do not need to set up a new meeting each time you want to host a meeting.
  • You do, however, need to set up your room and share your Zoom details with your desired meeting participants.
(2) Scheduling a meeting/recurring meeting
Scheduling a meeting might be your best option if you are wanting to:
​    a. host regular meetings for multiple different purposes
    b. ​set up a meeting for a larger upcoming event
​Scheduling a meeting: 
  • ​You can schedule a meeting from your Zoom account at vuw.zoom.us 
  • You can set up a one-off meeting or a recurring meeting
Sharing Zoom details with your students
You will need to tell your students you will be using Zoom for classes or tutorials and give them the key information about what you will be using Zoom for and what engagement you expect from them. You'll also need to provide the access link and time.
Here is some sample text you could post up in your course with your zoom meeting specific information:
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This is the URL for our Zoom lecture/tutorial on XX time XX day: >>>>>>>>>
Zoom is a video conferencing app. When you click on this link to join the lecture/tutorial you will be prompted to download the Zoom app automatically – please do this, it will only take a couple of seconds.  
Below are some recommendations for getting the most out of the Zoom session:
  • Use earphones or headphones when joining to ensure you have good audio.
  • Mute yourself if you are not talking (very important to stop feedback). Click the microphone button at the bottom left of your screen to do this.
  • Check there is nothing in the background that you are not willing to share with your group. If you will be sharing your screen also check that your desktop background is appropriate.
  • Use the chat feature if you have any questions or if things are not working.
  • Remember your behaviour in a Zoom session should be respectful and appropriate as if you were in a classroom.

Zoom expectations and code of conduct

It is important to spell out your expectations of how students should engage in the class through zoom, and set this code of conduct at the beginning of the course. This code of conduct can be added into the Blackboard course and talked through in the first session. Give clear guidelines on:
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  • when student enter the zoom room they should have cameras and mics on or off
  • how and when you want them to use the chat for questions or discussion
  • how you want them use the raise hand or reaction functions
  • when it's OK to turn off camera
  • that their name should be clear and correct on their video window
  • how you will be using the other functions in zoom such as, break out rooms, polls and interactive elements (whiteboards or other shared tools)
  • if recording how and when the video will be made available
  • when you want them to un-mute and talk, but remain on mute if not talking
  • general ethical behaviour of polite, considerate and respectful communication
  • explanation of how having cameras on allows for the use of nonverbal communication. Nodding, raising your hand, or giving a thumbs up (either physically or using Zoom features) will help the colloquium feel more engaging and personal.
  • advice that if students have a headset or earbuds the sound will be improved.