Using Zoom to Participate in Programs

Most folks had never heard of Zoom before the spring of 2020! Now it's one of the most popular ways to get people together in groups online and Renaissance is continuing to use it for the Fall Semester.

The Zoom Training Team has created learning guides and recorded tutorials to help you learn this new tool. These resources are for seminar leaders and tech hosts and also for participants. Whatever your role in a seminar, all participants can benefit from learning the basics.

Basic Training and Guides

Getting Started

First you need to get connected with Zoom. These two short tutorials, designed for beginners, are all you need to know to join a Zoom meeting and participate as an attendee.

• Getting Connected for Mac, iPad or iPhone
• Getting Connected for Windows and Android

Then choose the learning guide below that matches how you’ll join a meeting. You can view the PDFs online or download and print them for future reference.

• Join a Zoom Meeting for Windows and Mac
• Join a Zoom Meeting for iPad
• Join a Zoom Meeting for iPhone
• Join a Zoom Meeting for Android

Conducting a Zoom Meeting

These videos and PDFs are from the Zoom training conducted for Renaissance Society program leaders and tech hosts. If you already took the classes and want a review, these will help you. Anyone who is interested in learning more about Zoom is also welcome to access them. They have been updated for Zoom version 5.4.9.

Designed for Seminar/SIG Leaders, Speakers, and their Technical Hosts, this recorded Zoom session covers meeting controls, roles in a meeting, and sharing your content online whether it’s slides, video or other information. Tips for communicating with your participants as well as meeting checklists are covered.

• View the Part 1 Recording
• Get the Part 1 Study Guide
• Sample Partnership Agreement for Leader and Tech Host

Not every presenter will use all of Zoom’s tools; however, it’s good to know what they are. Part 2 of the Basic Steps class, introduces more tools you can use to connect with your audience such as polls, file transfers and breakout sessions. Tips on equipment needed for a Zoom meeting, as well as techniques for handling questions and Zoom etiquette, are also covered.

• View the Part 2 Recording
• Get the Part 2 Study Guide

Scheduling and Reporting

This class is designed for Technical hosts and/or Leaders who schedule Zoom meetings: What needs to happen before your meeting or seminar takes place. Topics covered include logging into your account and account setup, scheduling your meetings, and methods for sending invitations to your attendees. Plus, we will also cover some basic Zoom reports.

• View Scheduling and Reporting Recording
• Get the Scheduling and Reporting Study Guide
• Recommended Zoom Settings

Here is a guide on how to access your program data, , particularly in scheduling your Zoom meetings using the online registration system.

Features Training in Zoom Learning Center

Created by Zoom, the Zoom Learning Center is a comprehensive collection of on-demand videos and short eLearning courses. Your Renaissance Society Training Team is incorporating these modules in our current training, giving you the best of both worlds.

Start with Navigating the Zoom Learning Center (ZLC) to explore what is available, then view Recommended Courses for a customized list of items we feel will meet your immediate needs. Included are Tips from your RS Training Team. Below that are featured videos with associated PDF guides. Note: The guides have not been updated since 2021 but provide a helpful list of steps in a printable format.

Navigating the Zoom Learning Center (ZLC)

Recommended Courses for the ZLC

Breakout Rooms:

• Using Breakout Rooms During a Meeting
• Zoom Breakout Rooms and Security Tool

Polls and Waiting Rooms:

• Polling for Zoom Meeting and Webinars
• Zoom Polling and Waiting Room

Recording:

• Recording to the Cloud
• Recordings in Zoom meetings

Share Screen and Engaging Slideshows:

• Share Your Screen, Video or Audio
• Zoom Share Screen and Engaging Slideshows

Views and Closed Captioning:

• Zoom Meeting Layouts and Views
• Views and Closed Captioning

Zoom Registration:

• Zoom Registration
• Zoom Registration for Meetings

Best Zoom Online Practices Videos

This collection of videos is for Renaissance Society Seminar Leaders, SIG Facilitators and their Technical Hosts. The Forum and Seminar Committee and other interested RS members would also find them useful. Topics include Zoom Tips, Online Best Practices seminars, and Workshop recordings. Featured Videos appear at the top of the recordings page, followed by Recently Added selections. To see the whole collection, scroll to the bottom of the page and click Load More, then have fun exploring. Specific offerings are featured below this topic.

• View All the Recordings
• Get All the Presenter Slides

Online Best Practices for Attracting, Engaging, and Retaining Your Audience

This two-part seminar builds on your Zoom technical skills training and provides additional best online practices for attracting, engaging and retaining your seminar attendees. Specific topics include audio and video selection and use, presentations that engage with video and music, tracking your audience’s engagement, and techniques for being a great speaker, plus lots more.

• View the Part 1 Recording
• View the Part 2 Recording
• Get the Presenter’s Slides

How Do I ... ?

Guides and recordings on various technical topics including our Online Registration System, Zoom and software tools

• Find Your Renaissance Society Member Number
• Enroll in Programs and Find the Zoom Link
• How to Access Program Data
• Use Zoom Registration for Meetings
• Share a Recording to the Cloud
• Using Time Cards in a Zoom Meeting
• Create Engaging PowerPoints RECORDING
• Create Engaging PowerPoints

Knowledge Base and Tech Updates

We are constantly adding to our technical knowledge at the Renaissance Society. Some information comes from tools such as Zoom, some from improvements in our registration system, and some from suggestions from our technical hosts who support our online programs.

Knowledge Base

Tech Hosts and Presenters can review information captured in the ZIKES (Zoom Information Knowledge Education System) Spreadsheet.

Please note: The site was retired on 1/25/23 so no further updates have been made. However, there are still lots of relevant Zoom troubleshooting tips you can access.

Tech Update: Jan. 17, 2024

Get ready for Spring 2024! Before each semester, Program Leaders, Shared Interest Group Facilitators, and Tech Hosts are presented with the latest technology updates in our Renaissance Society systems. If you missed this event, click here to get access to the recording plus other links and helpful documents that were referred to in the presentation.

Contact Us

Contact RS Tech Support

Email: rensocit@csus.edu