We are entering a time when we need to start doing things differently. And at the moment we are thankfully able to use technology to help keep people connected to each other. However for some people using technology will cause some anxiety because we haven’t done this before and that is understandable. However we are all in the same boat and are all having to do ‘life’ differently .
Not many of us are experts at using this technology, we are all learning together so it will be a bit of a joint enterprise. Hopefully you will find it a fruitful experience (in the end!) and a valuable way to stay connected with your friends, family and community.
Zoom
Getting started:
- Download the ZOOM app. This can download onto a phone or tablet via the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. If you want to download it onto your computer then follow this link.
- You are then the host of this meeting
- Copy the link and put it in an email and send it to the people you want to attend the meeting
- You will notice that there is a 9 number ID code and a passcode number that participants will need to be able to access this meeting
- Advise participants to : Click on this link at the time the meeting is due to start using the device that you have downloaded the ZOOM app on, then you will be able to see the other members of the group and all be able to contribute
Joining a Zoom meeting by telephone
If your broadband means you are unable to access the meeting over the internet, it is also possible to join by telephone by dialling one of the following numbers and using the above same meeting ID and passcode as shown:
- (+44) (0)330 088 5830
- (+44) (0)131 460 1196
- (+44) (0)203 481 5237
- (+44) (0)203 481 5240
- (+44) (0)208 080 6591
- (+44) (0)208 080 6592
If you are dialling in by phone, once you are in the meeting, you can dial *9 (asterisk 9) to ‘raise your hand’ to show the chair of the meeting that you wish to speak or to vote. You can dial *6 (asterisk 6) to mute or unmute yourself (so that you can be heard or not).
Some useful tips
Changing your display name:
When you have joined the meeting, you will see yourself in small square on your screen and your name should also appear in that square. If your name does not appear correctly, please click on the three dots in that square and click on ‘Rename’ and you will be able to type in your name.
Raising your (blue) hand:
- This can be useful to show the host of the meeting that you wish to speak. If you cannot find it, try clicking on Participants in the menu* at the bottom of the screen on your laptop or at the top of the screen on a tablet to display the Participants sidebar, then click on ‘Raise your hand’ which should appear in that sidebar. You may need to click on the three dots in the bottom right hand corner of the Participants sidebar or alternatively tap on your name.
Muting
- It is often useful for participants to be muted when they are not speaking, to avoid multiple people trying to speak at once, which is more difficult on Zoom than it is face to face. The mute button to mute or unmute yourself looks like a microphone and appears on the menu*. On a laptop, holding down the space bar should temporarily unmute you, but this seems a little temperamental. The host can mute and unmute all participants, or specific participants if they are having difficulty.
Messages
- You can also use the Chat function on the menu* to send a message either to Everyone or to a specific person. If you cannot see the Chat function. You may need to click on the three dots at the top right hand corner of the screen to find the Chat function on a tablet.
Video
- If you cannot see yourself on the screen and wish to be seen during the meeting, please press ‘start video’ on the menu*. If you wish not to be seen, press ‘stop video’.
| *If you cannot find the menu* referred to above, try hovering your mouse over the bottom of the screen (or around the screen) and it should appear. On a tablet, try tapping the screen. |
More tips and help can be found on Zoom’s own website.
Zoom FAQs can be found here.
Skype
Skype is easier to use as you don’t need a password or meeting ID to join:
- Download Sykpe and create yourself an account
- Email/ contact people and give them your Skype name – if you add a photo of yourself then people can be sure that it is you!
- Give them a time that you are planning the meeting and make sure that you are ‘Available’ and there is a green dot next to your photo
- People then can all call at the same time and you will see lots of peoples faces on your screen
Skype FAQs can be found here.