TECHNICAL TOOLS
Commonly Used Programs
Zoom :::…
(How to Use)
Various Tech Terms Defined :::…
(Apps, TikTok, ChatGPT, OneDrive, QR Codes, Podcasts)
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…::: 1. ZOOM :::...
Step 1: Joining the Zoom Session
Step 2: Your Appearance on Zoom
Step 3: Your Sound on Zoom
Step 4: Writing and Sharing on Zoom
Step 1: Joining the Zoom Session
Click on the Zoom link in the CL&L email. Click twice using your cursor, or, on a touch screen computer or mobile device, your finger. (If you don’t have the Zoom app, you’ll be prompted to download it).
You do not need a Zoom account to join. You only only need to have Zoom installed on your device. However, if you have a Zoom account it is better to sign in before joining a meeting.
CL&L does not require you to enter a Meeting ID or Passcode. So, if you see that in a CL&L email, you don’t need to use it unless otherwise stated.
Step 2: Your Appearance on Zoom
A. Showing or Not Showing Yourself on Video. CL&L prefers that session attendees are visible so members of our community get to know each other, but it’s your choice.
Turning your video on: click the Start Video button (with the little icon of a camera) on the bottom of your Zoom screen. That button has an icon of a little camera.
Turning your video off: click the Stop Video button (with the little icon of a camera) to hide your camera feed from other attendees.
The host may turn off videos that can be distracting (such as eating, sleeping). You can write to the host in Group Chat to request your video be turned on again. If the host turns off your video (for bandwidth or other reasons), you can ask them to turn it back on. Simply send a private Chat message or use Group Chat (more on that below) in order to ask them to restore your video.
B. Blurring the Background of Your Video. If you want your video to focus on you, so others see you, but not show what’s behind and around you, you can blur the background.
How to Blur Your Background or use a Virtual Image during a meeting:
In the bottom-left corner of the video window, next to Start[or]Stop Video (with the little camera icon), click the up arrow icon ^ to find the link to Blur My Background link. Click on that.
Or, instead of Blur My Background you may select Choose Virtual Background and you will be offered images to show in the background behind you. You can even hit the plus sign + to upload an image of your own from your computer.
To undo your Blurred Background or Virtual Image Background:
Click the up arrow icon ^ next to the Start[or]Stop Video (with the little camera icon) - click to uncheck Blur My Background.
Click the up arrow icon ^ next to the Start[or]Stop Video - click on Choose Virtual Background, then click the thumbnail image for None.
Other Video Options
Click the up arrow icon ^ next to the Start[or]Stop Video you will find other options to, ‘Choose Video Filter’ (for visual effects, and, ‘Choose Avatar’ that replaces your live camera image with a character avatar that mimics your movements (you must be signed in to Zoom for that).You can change how your name appears on Zoom. To see how your name appears to others in Zoom session, click on the Participants link (little icon with people) at the bottom of your Zoom screen. A list of attendee names will appear on the side. Look for your name, however it appears, hover your mouse over it to edit, and you will see (three horizontal dots •••). Click to make the Rename link appear. That lets your change name.
Step 3: Your Sound on Zoom
In the bottom-left corner of the video window you will see an icon of an old-fashioned microphone with the word Mute or Unmute next to it. When you click on that icon it will toggle back and forth between Mute and Unmute each time you click. This determines whether others can hear you through your microphone.
Step 4: Writing and Sharing on Zoom
A. Writing a Note in Group Chat
The host opens Zoom’s Group Chat so attendees can send notes to them. This is the way to tell the host you wish to speak, with a question or comment, or that you would like the host to speak up for you, at the appropriate time. We ask that notes go only to the host, not to “Everyone.”
Here’s how to do that:
Click on the icon labeled Chat link (with the little icon of a dialog balloon) at the bottom of your screen.
A chat window will open on the side. In the bottom of the window you will see ‘Meeting Group Chat’ highlighted in blue. That means that if type a message everyone in the session can see it. Instead of that, click on the down arrow ( v ) next to ‘Meeting Group Chat’ to view a drop-down of names for all attendees. Find the host’s name in the drop-down and click on to a message only them.
B. Sharing Photos or Video Files During a Session
In the bottom of the video window, click on the green icon labeled Share Screen.
In a popup window you will see large label icons that you may choose to share your - Desktop, or, any specific Window displayed, in order to select a file to show.
You can also share a Whiteboard or any specific application window.
After selecting an item to Share, click the blue Share button and your photo or file will now be visible to all participants.
If you are going to share a video from your computer
Click on the Desktop label icon.
Under Options, be sure to click the checkbox for Optimize for video clip, this allows your sound to play through Zoom properly and your video to play smoothly.
Click the blue Share button.
Navigate to the video on your computer and play.
To stop Sharing, click on the Stop Share button highlighted in red in the bottom of your window.
As an alternative, you can send your files to the host in advance and ask the host the share them for you, but sharing yourself is more efficient.
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These tools are the basics that allow for an enhanced and more engaging Zoom experience.
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…::: 2. Various Tech Terms Defined :::…
A. Apps
An app (short for application) is a type of software designed to perform specific tasks or functions on a device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer. If you have Zoom on your device, that’s an app. If you have solitaire on your device, that’s an app. Microsoft Outlook and Apple Mail are apps. Applications come in all types and sizes.
B. TikTok
TikTok is a social media app primarily used for sharing short videos, and it is considered to be a social network. You can set up your Profile, connect with Friends, send Messages and Like videos, Videos on TikTok often feature music, memes, challenges, or trends. This is a platform that became widely popular, particularly among younger users. TikTok began in 2016 and was available in the United States in 2018. In 2022 it hosted more than a billion active users each month.
The predecessor to TikTok was Vine, here users could share up to 6-second videos that would loop. This was launched in 2012, and four months after its inception, Twitter purchased it for $30 million. it appeared on iOS 2013, and Android and Windows soon followed. This too was considered a social network, and videos could be share on other social platforms like Facebook and Twitter. It went on to have more than 200 million active users by the end of 2015, and it competed with other major players like Instagram and Snapchat. However, Twitter disabled it in 2017, but kept the archive until 2019 when it discontinued it altogether. Nonethless, the meteoric rise of Vine may be what inspired the creation of TikTok in 2016.
C. ChatGPT
GPT stands for "Generative Pre-trained Transformer" in ChatGPT. It refers to the type of programming language used to generate responses to questions. The "Chat" part of the name refers comes from the fact that users type in text to ChatGPT to interact with it. ChatGPT is a chatbot developed by OpenAI that uses AI (Artificial Intelligence) to process natural language and respond to questions. Responses are derived from scanning massive amounts of data on the web that ChatGPT can quickly assimilate to compose relative answers. Its ability to discern proper ‘meaning’ to relate to queries is impressive.
D. OneDrive Storage Albums
OneDrive is Microsoft's cloud storage service, which allows users to store and access their files from any device. You can connect your PC computer to it and set it for automatic updates to back up your files. This works on both Apple and PCs. This type of file access is a form of Cloud Computing, which is direct file sharing across multiple devices by storing files on a remote server on the web.
E. QR Codes
QR codes (Quick Response codes) are scannable barcodes that can store a variety of information like website URLs, text, contact info., or discount coupons at your local store. You can use them in your everyday life.
QR Codes are two dimensional forms of barcodes. Barcodes are nothing more than a variation of Morse code. While Morse code is a series of dots and dashes, Barcodes are a series of wide and narrow lines that are easier to read with a scanner. QR Codes converts tthis method into a two-dimensional square that hold a great deal more information.
F. Podcasts
Podcasts are audio or video series available for streaming or download, usually focusing on specific topics or themes. People subscribe to a podcast and receive new episodes as they are released on topics ranging news, storytelling, comedy, or education. This alternative media, collectively, now outpaces traditional media giants. Learn how to find podcasts for your interests, and even create your own!
The term "podcast" derived from the words ‘iPod’ and ‘broadcast’. The iPod was developed as a portable audio player. This replaced the use of audio tape cassettes (as was used by the previously popular Sony ‘Walkman’), with virtual audio files, like .MP3s, that could be stored on the iPod. This mean that the Apple iPod could easily store and play a multitude of audio files without switching tapes. The iPod faded out as Apple developed these capabilities into the iPhone.
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