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How to use Zoom (Student Guide)

Josef Martinez-Ortiz
Updated

Introduction

Zoom is an online communications video and audio conferencing tool for laptop, desktop, and mobile operating systems. This guide provides SPC students with essential information on using Zoom for classes, meetings, and group collaborations. It covers preparation steps, joining meetings, using Zoom features, and best practices for a smooth experience.

Contents

Zoom is an online communications video and audio conferencing tool for laptop, desktop, and mobile operating systems. This guide will go over the basics of the Zoom platform for students. Some SPC classes, like Live Online classes, use Zoom to host weekly course meetings. For fully online or in-person classes, instructors may use Zoom to meet with students one-on-one or as a group, or to host drop-in office hours. As a student, you can also use Zoom outside of a regularly scheduled classroom meeting. Examples include meeting with group members for projects and assignments, working on homework with classmates, or recording a presentation to share with others.

Note: If prompted to register for or sign into a Zoom meeting, use your SPC email. Some SPC Zoom meetings require students to have an SPC email associated with their profile to join.

Days before the Zoom meeting:

  • Confirm that you have the Zoom meeting Link: Your instructor will provide a link to your class-related Zoom meetings. Your instructor may communicate the Zoom link to you by:
    • Creating an event in the Canvas Calendar
    • Sending it via Canvas Inbox message
    • Placing it inside a Module
    • Posting it as an Announcement
  • Install the Zoom App: When you click to join the meeting, it will attempt to launch the Zoom meeting. It may prompt you to Open the Zoom application. If you don’t have the Zoom desktop application installed, you may need to click the link in the window that says, “Download and run Zoom.” If you have issues installing Zoom using that method, you can visit https://zoom.us/download and install the application from their website.
     
  • Test Zoom: Visit Join Meeting Test to verify that your computer, webcam, mic, internet, etc. are all working correctly with Zoom.
     
  • Review Zoom instructions found sent by your instructor. More information can also be found on Zoom's Getting Started page.

     
  • If you have a disability and need accommodations, contact SPC's Accessibility Services for support. You will need to contact them several days before your meetings to schedule the appropriate accommodation or service. 

Minutes before the Zoom meeting: 

  • Find a quiet space with a strong, uninterrupted internet connection. Make sure it is free of distractions. You can test your internet speed using sites like SpeedTest.net or Fast.com.
     
  • Close unrelated windows or programs on your device. This focuses your device's power to provide the best Zoom meeting experience possible. It also can prevent potentially embarrassing moments if you happen to share your screen. 
     
  • Click on the Zoom meeting link sent by your instructor. Test your audio, microphone, and camera settings. You may need to give Zoom permission to access your camera and microphone beforehand. Typically, the request for permission will appear in a pop-up window the first time you open a Zoom Meeting. You may need to adjust your device's permissions. 
     
  • Adjust your Audio/Video Settings. See the Zoom - Getting Started guide for more information on settings.
     
  • Adjust your Display Name. When you join an SPC Zoom meeting, you may be asked to enter your first and last name. Please enter both your first and last name as this is the name faculty use to take attendance. You can also rename yourself in a Zoom meeting via the participant list by selecting the ellipses, and then selecting Rename. 

    Profile settings menu with participant details.

During the Zoom Meeting: 

NOTE: Depending on how your instructor has configured your Zoom meeting, some options may not be available.

Video call interface with control buttons.

  • Microphone Icon: Mute and unmute your microphone. Click the up arrow next to the mic icon to see additional Microphone and Speaker options and select your audio source. You can test your microphone or speakers in the additional options. 

    Audio settings menu with microphone and speaker options.
     
  • Video Icon: Click the Start Video button to begin broadcasting your video from your webcam connected to your computer, smartphone, or tablet. Click the up arrow next to the video icon to see additional video settings, select virtual backgrounds, and see video filter options. 

    Video settings menu with options displayed.
     
  • Participants: Open and close the participant window showing you a list of participants who have joined the meeting.

    Participants icon with three users displayed.
     
  • Chat: Click the Chat bubble button to ask questions via text, share links to websites, and keep up with the class's back-channel discussion. You can chat with everyone in the meeting, a specific person, or just the professor.

    Chat icon with speech bubbles.
     
  • Share Screen: Share your screen (if the host has enabled it) with the participants in the meeting. You will have the option to share your entire desktop screen, a whiteboard, a connected mobile device, a specific window, document, or application that you have open on your desktop.
  • Record: If the host has enabled this function, clicking the button will allow you to record the meeting locally to your computer or the cloud.

    Note: If you do not see all the buttons on the Zoom toolbar at the bottom of the screen, try making your window wider.

    2025-04-10_15-06-33.gif
     

At the end of the Zoom Meeting: 

  • At the end of the class, click Leave Meeting.

Important Notes:

  • No matter how many people are in a meeting, there's probably someone watching your video at all times, if you have it on. Be mindful when you are on camera and refrain from embarrassing or distracting actions.
  • Be aware of your instructor's Zoom policies (for instance, keep your camera on if your instructor requires it). If you're having technical difficulties, let your instructor know and reach out to the Technical Support Center if needed.
  • You can use Zoom on a Windows or Mac OS Laptop and Desktop computers (recommended) or on Apple IOS or Android Tablets and Smartphones

 

Accessing a Zoom Meeting with Authentication Enabled

For added security in your Zoom meetings, your professor may require you to Authenticate prior to joining their meeting.


Step-by-Step: 

  1. Click the link your faculty provides to join their meeting. If this is your first Zoom Meeting, you will be prompted to download and install the Zoom Meeting client. 
     
  2. Click on the Sign in to Join button
    Zoom meeting authorization alert message.

     
  3. Click on the Sign in with SSO button

    Zoom sign-in screen with email and password fields.
     
  4. Enter the domain spcollege and click on the continue button

    Zoom sign-in screen with company domain field.
     
  5. Enter your SPC email and password and click Sign In.


 

Zoom Live Transcripts

Zoom has the ability to auto-generate subtitles (captioning) in your online meetings or webinars. This feature will need to be activated by the meeting host for participants to enable. The following steps will guide you through how to activate the Live Transcript options if they have been enabled by the host. 


How to View the Live Automatic Transcriptions During a Meeting or Webinar: 

Note: Only the meeting host can turn auto transcriptions on or off.

Once Live Transcriptions are enabled by the host, a new set of options will be available for the host and attendees. By clicking the small arrow on the Live Transcript button, attendees will have the option to select how they wish to view the transcriptions and subtitles. This setting may also be listed under the More icon.

 

Zoom interface with subtitle options highlighted.


These are the settings available for the Live Transcription option.

 

  • Show or Hide Subtitle: The transcript will appear as video subtitles at the bottom of the video frame.
     
  • View Full Transcript: The transcript will appear in a side-panel Transcript window, and the full transcript (up to that point) may be saved by clicking Save Transcript. Host and attendees can also search the transcript by entering text into the Search transcript field at the top of the window.
     
  • Subtitle Settings: Participants can change the appearance of the subtitles.

Zoom Etiquette

As a college student, it is important to learn how to thrive in an online course and classroom environment. Properly interacting with others in a live conferencing tool like Zoom is a key component of your academic success. The following tips are some important aspects to remember when it comes to Zoom etiquette.

Overview:

  • SPC staff and students using the college’s Zoom accounts are subject to the college’s code of conduct for students, all campus policies, and the Faculty Handbook. 
     
  • Find a quiet environment and ensure there is nothing visually distracting in the background.
     
  • Be mindful of lighting: If you are sitting in front of a window, it may wash out or darken your image on video. Your overhead light also might need to be turned off or dimmed as well.
     
  • Dress appropriately and present yourself just as if you were in an in-person classroom environment.
     
  • Be sure to mute your mic by using the Mute button (bottom left of the screen) when you sign on and whenever you are not speaking. This is important to avoid background noise and distractions to others.
     
  • Stop sharing your video by using the Stop Video button (bottom left of the screen) if you are eating, drinking, talking with someone else in the room, or any other distracting activity.
     
  • Close unneeded applications on your computer to keep the video functioning optimally.
     
  • Use a headset with an external mic for the best hearing and speaking capabilities.
     
  • When you are done speaking, let others know that you are finished with a gesture or an expression such as “That’s all” or “Thank you”.
     
  • Remember to always be polite to others in the meeting, especially when it is their turn to present or speak.
     
  • If you want to speak, physically raise your hand or use the Raise Hand feature that is available at the bottom center of your screen. Wait until you are called on before unmuting and speaking.
     
  • You can ask questions and make comments silently if desired using the Chat feature (bottom and center of your screen).
     
  • Remember to leave the meeting when the session is finished.

 

Zoom System Check

Zoom will be used in many classes; it is important to ensure that you are prepared. These steps will walk you through how to join a meeting to test your system's speakers, microphone, camera, and internet connection.
 

Step-by-Step: 

  1. Go to https://zoom.us/test
     

  2. Follow the steps below:
     

    Join meeting Test example image Click the Join button, your web browser may prompt you for permission to allow zoom to open the web link.
    Video test prompt with buttons to start or skip. A new window will appear, prompting you to click on the Start Video button to begin the test.
    Camera selection interface with "Do you see yourself? Follow the instructions and select your device's camera.
    Audio settings interface with speaker options. Follow the next instruction and select your speaker or headset audio.
    Microphone selection interface with input level. Follow the next set of instructions and select your microphone.
    Device test results: camera, speaker, microphone OK. Once completed you will be prompted with a breakdown of your selected working devices. Click End Test.


    Navigate around the Zoom Meeting to learn more about the various tools available to participants.

 

 Have Questions? Contact the SPC Technical Support Center at onlinehelp@spcollege.edu or call 727-341-HELP (727-341-4357) (Mon.- Sat. 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., Sun 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Eastern). Chat: Live Chat with Support


 

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