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► Webcams and Learning
What Is Zoom?
Zoom is a flexible video-conferencing platform that supports remote and hybrid instruction. It allows you to do much of what you would normally do in a classroom: display slides, assign students to breakout rooms, or use interactive tools like polling and whiteboards. Instructors can use Zoom to hold live classes, discussion sections, or office hours, and it can also be a convenient tool for recording lectures or presentations at home or in your office.
Common Faculty Questions
How do I keep students engaged in Zoom?
- Encourage or require students to turn their webcams on. Review this resource on the benefits of webcam use and how to communicate with students.
- Use interactive features like polls and whiteboards.
- Use breakout rooms for discussion and group work. Breakout rooms work best when students are given clear instructions before starting an activity. Let them know what they should be discussing, how much time they have, and what they’ll need to report back.
- Encourage students to communicate in chat and with Zoom reactions.
My class is in-person. Do I need to use Zoom?
Zoom is a helpful option for hosting virtual office hours, which may be more accessible for some students than in-person meetings. You can schedule these directly within Canvas for convenience (video guide). Zoom is also a useful backup in case of unexpected campus disruptions, such as severe weather or labor actions.
How can I make my Zoom meetings more accessible?
- Enable captions at the start of every meeting.
- Read chat messages aloud before responding (especially helpful for recordings).
- Share materials that you will use in advance or let participants know where to find them (such as in Canvas).
- Verbally describe any visuals you use so that everyone can follow along.
- Refer to the ITS guide on meeting and event accessibility for additional tips.
How can I prevent Zoom disruptions?
Start by familiarizing yourself with the Host Tools, which allow you to limit what participants can do in the meeting. For smaller meetings, use the waiting room to control who joins. You can also require that attendees sign in with their UCSC login before joining. This guide has instructions for making Zoom meetings more secure. More tips for preventing and responding to Zoom disruptions are in this resource.
Resources
Teaching with Zoom
- Webcams and learning to encourage student engagement and presence
- Video Guide: Scheduling Zoom Meetings in Canvas
Security & Classroom Management
Support
UCSC Support: For support with this tool, visit Instructional Technology Office Hours or contact ITS (UCSC ITS Zoom page).