About Zoom Lessons
What is Zoom?
Zoom is a type of software that allows its users from all around the world to hold online meetings, free of charge.
All lessons on the Wetalk platform are conducted via Zoom.
Why do we use Zoom?
Lesson starts with a single click
To start your lesson, simply click the Zoom meeting link and start your lesson.
Record with a single click
If you miss the lecturer's explanation, want to review, or lose connection, this function will give you peace of mind during the lesson.
Works on smartphones
Although it requires installation of the free Zoom app, you can also connect easily from your smartphone. The amount of data transfer is small, so the connection is stable and won’t result in high communication charges.
Free, easy, and feature-rich!
Not only is it easy to use, but it also has various features, including video calls, screen sharing, and whiteboard sharing.
Using Zoom
When you reserve a lesson, the instructor will send you an email with a participation URL that you will use during the lesson.
PC
Download
When it is time for the meeting, click the URL in the email you received. If the download does not start automatically, click "Download".
Installing the app
If it’s your first time using Zoom, the app will be installed automatically.
* Takes 1-2 minutes.
From the second time onward, the app will launch automatically. When you launch Zoom, a message will pop up in the middle of the screen saying, “Join Audio by Computer.” Click the blue button. The icon in the bottom left corner of the screen will then change from headphones to a microphone.
Starting a lesson
If the icon changes to a microphone, you have joined the meeting. Say something and make sure the blue meter in the microphone icon moves.
Smartphone or tablet
Install the Zoom app
There is no need to install the Zoom app beforehand if participating via PC, but you do need to install it in advance on a smartphone or tablet.
Launch your app store and install the Zoom Cloud Meeting app.
*On Android devices, this is called GooglePlay, and on iPhones, it is called the App Store.
Access the Zoom meeting URL
When it is time to start your lesson, join the Zoom meeting by doing either of the following.
1. Tap the line of the lesson in the My Lesson List section on your My Page. On the Lesson Details, tap the Join Zoom meeting button.
2. Tap the Zoom link in the lesson notification email you received.
There is a blue button that says "Join meeting", so when it's time for the lesson, press the button to join.
That’s it!
A quick guide to Zoom
Switching the microphone on/off
In the Zoom application, there is a microphone icon in the bottom left corner of the screen.
If the microphone is functioning correctly, you will see the blue bar move up and down when you speak. If the blue bar does not move when you speak, click the arrow (^) next to the microphone icon and check if the correct microphone is selected.
To mute your microphone, simply click the microphone icon. When the microphone is muted, a red diagonal line appears across the microphone icon. To unmute the microphone, simply click the icon again.
Turning the camera on/off
In the Zoom application, the second icon from the left at the bottom of the screen is the camera icon.
When the camera is switched off, a red diagonal line appears across the camera icon. You can switch the camera on or off by clicking the camera icon. If your camera is not working, click the arrow (^) next to the camera icon and check if the correct camera is selected.
Changing your screen name
To change your screen name during a Zoom call, first click the Participants icon at the bottom of the screen. You will see a list of participants on the right side. Hover the cursor over your name and click More. Next, click Rename. On the Rename dialog box, change your screen name.
Changing the video layout
Zoom allows you to switch between two different video layouts (views).
- Gallery view: The videos of all the participants appear on the screen in the same size.
- Speaker view: The video of the person currently speaking gets automatically enlarged.
Click View in the upper right corner to change the video layout.
Leaving a Zoom meeting
To leave a Zoom meeting, click End in the bottom right corner of the screen, and then select Leave Meeting.
Updating the Zoom application
PWe recommend always keeping your Zoom application updated. If you continue to use an old Zoom version, you may start to experience issues during your lessons. To update your Zoom version, click your profile icon in the upper right corner of the screen and then click Check for Updates.
If there is a new version available, a window saying Update Available appears on the screen and the update is downloaded automatically.
Sharing your screen
Zoom allows both students and teachers to share their screens.
This is a very useful function as it allows you to view texts and other materials during your lesson. You can also write comments, make notes, and mark the materials shown on the screen.
To share your screen, click the Share Screen icon at the bottom of the screen and select the contents you wish to share.
Screen sharing
To share your screen:- Click the “Share Screen” button on the menu at the bottom of the screen. Have the file you wish to share open already.
- Select the file you wish to share and click “Share Screen” in the bottom right corner. You can choose which file to share. To add a comment, click the “Add Comment” button on the comment tool bar.
- Use “Stop Sharing” to end screen sharing.
Whiteboard sharing
Click the “Share Screen” button on the menu and select “Whiteboard.”
Adding comments
You can add comments to the shared screen. Comments you write are displayed to participants.
- Click the inverted triangle beside “Display Options” in the upper right corner.
- Select “Add Comment” on the menu that appears.
- A toolbar will be displayed allowing you to write on the screen.
Recording
Click “Record” and select “Record on This Computer.” In the upper left corner it will say, “Recording,” and at the bottom there will be an option to pause or stop recording. When the lesson ends, the recorded video will be displayed automatically.
