How-Tos for CL&L Sessions:

Tips on Making Our Online Zoom Sessions Work Better for You

Step 1: Joining the Zoom Session

  • Click on the Zoom link in the CL&L email. Click twice using your cursor or, if you have a touch screen, your finger If you don’t have the Zoom app, you’ll be prompted to download it.

  • CL&L does not require you to enter a Meeting ID or Passcode.

Step 2: Your Visibility on Zoom. We will cover how to use Zoom’s simple tools for that.

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 on the bottom of your Zoom screen.

  • Turning your video off: click the Stop Video button, 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 message or use Group Chat(more on that in a moment) 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, click the up arrow icon ^ and look for the link to Blur My Background.

    • 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 - 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.

C. Muting and Unmuting Your Audio

  • 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.

D. 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 at the bottom of your screen.

    • A chat window will open on the side. Here you can type messages that everyone in the session can see.

F. Sharing Photos or Video Files During a Session

  • In the bottom of the video window, click on the icon labeled Share Screen.

  • You will see label icons that you may choose to share your Desktop or any specific Window that has the photo or file you want to show.

  • You can also share a Whiteboard or any specific application window.

  • After selecting the item, click the Share button. Your photo or file will now be visible to all participants.

  • 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.

These tools are the basics that allow for a much smoother and more engaging experience during your Zoom meeting!  We will discuss these and have Q&A to share experiences.