Zoom is an online platform that allows two or more people to have audio, video and instant messenger calls or to join a webinar. You can also use Zoom to share slides or your screen. This guide is aimed at call participants, and should help you understand how to join a call or webinar and use the main functions.
Installing Zoom
Installing the Zoom desktop application
Visit the Zoom Download Centre by clicking this link https://zoom.us/download
Click the download link button under ‘Zoom Client for Meetings’
You don’t need a Zoom account to join meetings. If you have a Zoom account you can sign in with your email and password, if you have a Zoom account but can’t remember your password, click Forgot. You can also sign in using a Google, or Facebook account. If you would like to set a Zoom account up, click Sign Up Free.
Installing the Zoom app on mobile or tablet
If you use an iPhone or iPad, click on the App Store icon and if you use an Android phone or tablet click on the Google Play Store icon.
Search for Zoom Cloud Meetings
On iPhone/iPad, click the Get button. On android click the Install button
How to join a Zoom call or webinar
We recommend you install Zoom in advance before a call to avoid any delays.
You don’t need a Zoom account to join a meeting. There are four ways you can join a Zoom meeting, they are:
- Download the application on your computer
- Download the application on your mobile or tablet (e.g., ipad)
- Via a web browser on your computer
- Join by calling a teleconference number on your phone
Ways to join
Joining from a mobile or tablet (e.g. iPad)
When you’re ready to join, click on the meeting link the meeting organiser sent you (the link will look like this: https://zoom.us/j/720402659/).
If you haven’t installed Zoom, you will be prompted to install the Zoom Cloud Meetings app from the App Store (on iPhone or iPad), the Google Play Store (on Android) before you can join the meeting
If you already have the Zoom Cloud Meetings app installed, you will now be in the meeting
Joining from a computer
Click on the meeting link the meeting organiser sends you (the link will look like this: https://zoom.us/j/720402659/).
If you haven’t installed Zoom, you will be prompted to download a small file with the Zoom software will download onto your computer, sometimes this will happen automatically
Follow the instructions that appear to install the app. For more details about this process, see Zoom’s help pages here.
Just before entering the meeting you will be prompted to enter a display name
You will be asked how you want to connect to the meeting audio, select Join by Computer Audio.
In your web browser
If you can’t install software on your phone or computer, you can join a Zoom meeting using a web browser. Zoom will work in most web browsers (e.g., Safari, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox or Internet Explorer) but Zoom recommend Google Chrome.
Enter the Meeting ID, this is a 9 or 10-digit number that the meeting organiser sent you.
Click Join
You may also be asked to enter the password sent to you by the event organiser. Enter the name you want to display in the meeting.
You will be asked how you want to connect to the meeting audio, select Join by Computer Audio.
By teleconferencing number
On your phone, dial the teleconferencing number provided in your meeting invite.
Enter the meeting ID provided in your meeting invite (this is a 9, 10- or 11-digit number) when prompted using your Dialpad
Note: Your phone number may be visible to everyone in the meeting and you will be charged your standard network rate for calling this number, unless the meeting organiser has paid extra for their Zoom account to get the freephone option. It is always a good idea to check this with the organiser before the event. You will also only hear the audio of the meeting while others will be able to see each other, and the visual content being shared. If you have already joined the meeting by computer, you will have the option to enter your 2-digit participant ID to be associated with your computer. We recommend joining online instead if possible.
Getting comfortable using Zoom
The best way to get comfortable using Zoom is to practice. You can join a test meeting by clicking this link https://zoom.us/test
Muting and unmuting your microphone
- It is good practice to mute your microphone whenever you are not speaking. You can do this with the mute and unmute icon in the toolbar.
- This limits the interference from things that don’t sound noisy to you, like adjusting your screen or moving papers, but sound very noisy to others because they are picked up by your microphone.
- When you’re on mute you can hold down your space bar to temporarily unmute yourself.
- If you’re speaking while on mute, Zoom will give you a message to remind you you’re muted.
Chat function
As well as speaking you can also send and receive written group messages, using the chat function, which you can open by pressing the chat icon in the toolbar. It looks like a speech bubble.
Nonverbal feedback
The meeting host should help explain how the meeting will work and ask people to speak when needed and manage the room when too many people are speaking. There may also be some ways to give nonverbal feedback, if the host has switched this feature on.
To provide nonverbal feedback to the host of the meeting
- Click the Participants button.
- Click one of the icons to provide feedback to the host. Click the icon again to remove it. Note: You can only have one icon active at a time.
You can choose to use any of these:
- Raise Hand / Lower Hand
- yes
- no
- go slower
- go faster
- Additional icons are available by clicking the more button:
- agree
- disagree
- clap
- need a break
- away
The icon you’ve selected will appear next to your name in the participants list for everyone to see. The host will see a summary of how many people have pressed each button.
Taking part in a Zoom webinar
To join a webinar you will need the link to join. You may be sent the link directly by the host, after you register for an event or it may be posted somewhere public. Joining the webinar is the same as joining a meeting above.
When you join a webinar you will only be able to view the webinar, nobody will be able to see or hear you unless the host gives you permission to un-mute yourself.
To ask a question click the Q&A and submit your question and the host will answer it if they have time.
If you have any problems accessing a meeting or webinar hosted by Autistica, contact Lorcan on 0203 746 2673 or email lorcan.kenny@autistica.org.uk.