Online classes are hosted via Zoom, an online video conferencing system. Zoom offers free software that provides students many ways to access lectures and classes.

LLI provides a self-help guide to help students prepare for Zoom meetings. Video tutorials are also available online.

You must also complete a Hiking/Walking Waiver before participating in Lifelong Striders:

Hiking/Walking Waiver

Act as you would in person.

Think of a Zoom meeting as any other classroom and conduct yourself as you would if all were present in the same room. This includes arriving up to 5 minutes before the start time, avoiding talking over others, and being fully present and engaged. 

Minimize distractions.

Minimizing distractions helps keep everyone focused and the meeting free from interruption. Find a quiet place and silence and put away phones, close unrelated programs on your computer, and avoid multi-tasking. If something requires your immediate attention, please turn off your audio and video as a courtesy to others.

Mute your microphone.

To help keep background noise to a minimum, make sure you mute your microphone when not speaking. A red line appears over the microphone icon when muted. Many Zoom setups include a feature that allows you to hold the space bar on your keyboard to momentarily unmute yourself. Press and hold when speaking; release to return to mute.

Use video when possible and look into the camera.

Being able to see others helps create a sense of engagement with other participants. If you use a web camera, be sure it is in a stable position and focused at eye level to avoid distorting your facial features. Looking directly into the camera instead of at your video screen also gives the appearance of eye contact with others. 

More light is better, just not from behind.

Video quality is dramatically improved with more lighting. Just make sure that the light is in front of you. Being backlit makes you harder to see.

Avoid mobile devices when possible.

Laptop or desktop computers provide a better Zoom experience than tablets or smartphones. A computer’s larger screen and steady position enhance the experience and full computers offer access to additional Zoom features and controls. 

Come prepared.

If you haven’t used Zoom before, download the application the day prior to the meeting and familiarize yourself with basic features – mute/unmute microphone and start/stop video at the very minimum.

Zoom also provides a test feature to adjust your audio and video settings before meetings. Just go to www.zoom.us/test. 

Zoom can be used on laptops, desktops, tablets, smartphones, and even landline telephones, giving students many ways to access lectures, classes and meetings. We encourage the use of web cameras when available as the sense of community presence is enhanced when everyone shows their face.

Installing the desktop version of Zoom will give you the best results and functionality. Students who plan to join Zoom meetings from a mobile device should download the Zoom mobile application.

• Download and follow our self-help guide (PDF)
• Watch a video about Getting to Know Basic Controls

WATCH MORE VIDEOS ABOUT HOW TO ZOOM!