Use Zoom safely, easily and joyfully.

Gray Matter

Pilgrim Place Zoom Meeting

Use Zoom safely, easily and joyfully

There are lots of resources on the web to help people use Zoom for online video meetings, webinars, screen sharing, etc. Here are a few useful tips for those communicating digitally via Zoom.

Keep your Zoom program/app up-to-date

Zoom software is generally updated once a week for security, smoother operation and to add new features.
For more info visit on how to update Zoom, visit:
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362233-Upgrade-update-to-the-latest-version

If your Zoom program/app is not up-to-date, the video can freeze; other participants see a still image of you when the video freezes. Audio ususally still works.

Note: After updating Zoom on a device, the update seems happier after the device restarted.

Use a unique, secure password if you sign up for a Zoom account, even a free account.

That means use the (work) email address option so you can create a unique, strong password for your Zoom account, not signing in with a Google or Facebook username and password.

You really should have a unique, strong password for everything. How? Examples of weak and strong passwords (updated January 17, 2025)

Zoom has an extensive, up-to date Help Center
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us

Tired of your "real" Zoom background?

Learn about Virtual Backgrounds

Check outs Zoom's curated (and safe to download) Virtual Backgrounds.

What's new? Immersive view

Introduced April 26, 2021 with Zoom version 5.6.4

Recreate the feel of your class or conference room by placing up to 25 video participants onto a single virtual background.
Hang out in a or kitchen or kitchen, or have a fireside chat with one friend.

Learn more about Immersive View in meetings and webinars here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360060220511-Immersive-View

Note: most links on this page open up in a new web browser window.

Tips for Zoom hosts

Zoom's Best Practices

Double-check meeting default settings
Test your audio and video as you join
Use a USB-connected headset
Mute your microphone when not speaking
Position your webcam properly
If hosting, connect from a large screen
For best results, use the app and not a browser
Use a stable/wired connection
Join meetings in quiet areas

Getting Started guide for new users from Zoom
(15 January 2025)

Getting started with Zoom - explainations of Zoom products and features from Zoom

Enabling or disabling closed captioning and live transcription services - now even free accounts can use Zoom’s live transcription feature that provide automatic captioning through closed caption settings. This allows participants to easily follow the conversations or to meet accessibility requirements. (from Zoom, updated 04/12/2024)

Managing Breakout Rooms - learn how to split your Zoom meeting in up to 50 separate sessions. From Zoom.

Or check out this Zoom Breakout Rooms Tutorial for Beginners (May 2020)

Nonverbal feedback and meeting reactions - how to control Zoom icons. (from Zoom)

Best Practices for Securing Your Zoom Meetings - Everything you need to keep your video meetings safe and secure. (Zoom PDF doc)

If you have a paid Zoom account and haven’t already, here’s how to select data centers for your hosted meeting from Zoom: Selecting data center regions for hosted meetings and webinars

For most people reading this in the US, data centers in the US are fine. Here's what my default settings looked like with a paid account before they were changed with the Zoom 5.0 update.

Zoom Data Center regions section box

Data Routing Control is Here (Zoom blog, updated Sept. 1 2022)

Tips for Zoom participants

This section under review.

Zoom training videos from the Creative Life Center are basic, clear & helpful.

Joining a Zoom Call for the First Time; Fun and Easy Online Connections
This short video offers clear, helpful visual guidance in less than 9 minutes. (16 March 2020)

Basics

How to Join a Zoom Call by (Smart) Phone - Beginner Zoom Tutorial
(30 April 2020)

Join a Meeting by Phone (Only) - Zoom Help Center, scroll down on this page

Once you get the basics

7 Tactics for Building Presence and Connection via Zoom by Mark Bowden (Mar 31, 2021 Zoom Webinar PDF handout)

The best tips for using Zoom (Digital Trends, April 28, 2021)
Backgrounds, shortcuts, your appearance and more.

Zoom social etiquette guide - from online parties to happy hour with colleagues, here are the coronavirus-era social faux pas to avoid. (BBC.com worklife, April 28, 2020)

Zoom tips and tricks: 19 features to improve your video calls today - Here's how to change your Zoom background and your audio and video settings, how to share your screen and more. (c|net, April 28, 2021)

Virtual backgrounds - info about displaying an image or video as your background during a Zoom meeting from the Zoom Help Center.

Screen sharing

Screen sharing a PowerPoint presentation - details 3 ways to screen share a PowerPoint presentation in a Zoom meeting, from the source: Zoom's Help Center.

4 Options for how to present a PowerPoint slide show in a Zoom meeting - actually 6 options from Dave Paradi.

Sharing a Powerpoint in Zoom - See your students, your presentation, your notes, AND the chat! - useful tips, explained clearly, from a higher ed educator.