Overview
This article gives information about Zoom, the official web conferencing and online meeting software available for students, faculty, and staff at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
What is Zoom?
Zoom is a web-based video conferencing tool with a local, desktop client and a mobile app that allows users to meet online, with or without video for up to 300 attendees.
Access Zoom
How Can I Get Help with Zoom?
There are many ways to get assistance with Zoom video conferencing.
You can also request individual or group training with an Instructional Designer.
Zoom Features
Zoom is available to all students, faculty, and staff with Star ID credentials.
Zoom users can:
- Create a customized personal meeting ID link
- Schedule a Zoom meeting using Outlook
- Collaborate on projects
- Share or annotate on one another's screens
- Record sessions
o Faculty and staff recordings are saved for 365 days
o Student recordings are saved for 180 days
o Everyone can permanently save recordings to MediaSpace
- Connect with almost any laptop, tablet, or device
Zoom Capacity
Meeting Rooms have a 300-person meeting room capacity. You can schedule different URLs for each meeting you host or use your Personal Meeting ID as a persistent meeting location. Your account also gets a 1000 person webinar space.
Zoom Help
- Microphone and Telephone Audio Help
If you do not have a microphone (built in or external) available, you have the option to dial in or have Zoom call your phone. There is no charge to use the telephone service.
- Video Help
If your camera and internet connection can handle it, you’ll enjoy HD quality video. Don’t have a HD camera or a “super-fast” connection to the Internet, no worries, Zoom will accommodate you.
- Recording Help
Faculty and staff can record their meetings to Zoom’s cloud service or their own computer. Recordings stored on Zoom’s cloud service will remain there for 365 days before they are deleted automatically. You will receive notification by email prior to deletion. Recordings will also be automatically saved to the Minnesota State media service, Kaltura MediaSpace. They will remain in MediaSpace for at least five years after they are last accessed.
Students can also record meetings to Zoom’s cloud service where they will remain for 180 days.
- Screen Sharing and Whiteboard Help
You can share your computer screen or annotate on a whiteboard with Zoom.
Note: instead of you are used to uploading a file within a meeting that will be displayed to participants, you can do this in Zoom by sharing your screen.
Breakout Rooms
Breakout rooms can help facilitate small group discussion.
Mobile Devices App
Zoom is available on mobile devices in addition to the traditional Win/Mac versions. Zoom has covered all major mobile platforms including iPhones/iPads using iOS, Androids, Chromebooks using ChromeOS, and Linux.
Outlook Calendar Integration
Outlook calendar integration is also available. Add the Zoom plugin to your Outlook account and add a Zoom meeting location right from your calendar invitation. This plugin allows you to send an Outlook meeting invitation with Zoom.
Zoom Help Center
You can request assistance directly from Zoom 24 x 7, including public holidays, where agents or technical engineers are available for email or live support. You can also find self-service guides at the Zoom Help Center or watch some of the Zoom Video Tutorials. If you need something more directed, attend one of live training sessions provided by Zoom. Pick a date/time that works for your schedule at https://zoom.us/livetraining.
Still Need Help?
Visit the IT Solutions Center page to view current hours, locations, and contact information.