Setting up Zoom
Can I create a Zoom account as a student?
Yes, as a student you can sign up for a free basic Zoom account via the sign-up page here.
Please use your @myvuw.ac.nz email address and choose Single Sign On (SSO) as the authentication method. This will make you eligible for a VUW licensed account in the future
Please use your @myvuw.ac.nz email address and choose Single Sign On (SSO) as the authentication method. This will make you eligible for a VUW licensed account in the future
Can I get Zoom on my mobile device?
Yes, visit the Zoom help centre here to know more.
How do I install Zoom on my personal laptop (Mac or Windows)?
You can download Zoom from the Zoom download centre.
Using Zoom
How do I join a Zoom meeting?
How do I mute/unmute my audio and display/hide my video in Zoom?
Yes, you can mute or unmute your audio and/or video in Zoom as an attendee, provided the host of the meeting has not disabled it.
How do I share my screen as a student?
You can only do this if screen sharing has been enabled by your lecturer. If enabled, you can share your screen by following the instructions in the below YouTube video:
What additional features are available in Zoom?
Visit the Zoom help centre to know more about in-meeting chat, reactions, whiteboard/annotation functions and more.
Tips and Tricks
Zoom participation etiquette
Think of a Zoom meeting as a face-to-face meeting and conduct yourself as you would if you were all present in the same room. In addition, there are some useful tips below you should observe to help ensure the meeting runs smoothly for all involved:
- Join early or on time – up to 5 minutes before the meeting start time.
- If you haven’t used Zoom before click the link to download Zoom prior to the day of the meeting and familiarise yourself with any features you may need to use on the day – mute/unmute microphone, stop/start video, screen share etc.
- Have your video on unless you are experiencing connection issues.
- Find a quiet space where you will not be disturbed by background noise.
- Have a plain background. Avoid backlight from bright windows. Have good lighting on your face so you can be seen clearly.
- Adjust your camera to be at around eye level if possible. Take note of the angle of your laptop screen if using the built-in camera.
- Mute your microphone when not talking.
- Try to avoid talking over / at the same time as other participants.
- Be aware you are on camera and try to avoid doing other tasks, checking emails, looking at your phone etc.
- Use the participant's option to select 'raise hand' if you want to catch presenter’s attention.
- If the presenter has made the chat available, ask respectful and appropriate questions through this.
Student tips for participating in online learning
Click the downloadable pdf file below for online learning tips, provided by Zoom.
| student_tips_for_participating_in_online_learning.pdf |
Does Zoom have hotkeys and keyboard shortcuts?
Yes, Zoom has hotkeys for Windows, macOS, Linux and iOS.
If you have any issues, please contact the Digital Solutions Service Desk via:
- E-mail: its-servicedesk@vuw.ac.nz or
- Phone: +64 463 5050
This page was last updated March 2022.