Tech Tip: Hybrid Meetings

Holding a hybrid meeting? Use the iSchool buildings' built-in computers! Image of a woman on a computer screen.

Whether you’re teaching a class or reserving a conference room for a meeting, if you’re holding a hybrid event you want it to go smoothly. Hybrid meetings are meetings with both in-person attendees as well as attendees joining over Zoom. If attendees are joining over Zoom and you would like them to speak or hear in-person attendees, you should use the room’s built-in computers.

Built-ins are computers included in iSchool conference rooms and classrooms. Some built-ins look like physical computers that can connect to projectors. Others might not be visible, but are accessible by using control panels in the room. Both kinds of built-in are designed to connect to the cameras and microphones in conference rooms and classrooms, while laptops are not. So while using your laptop to join a meeting might seem like the easier option, it can lead to audio and visual issues in the middle of a hybrid meeting. 

To learn more about how to use the built-ins for specific rooms, take a look at the linked KnowledgeBase article. You can also contact the Help Desk with any questions or concerns by emailing ischool-support@illinois.edu or calling us at 217-244-4903. We can help you troubleshoot any issues using the built-ins, and can also help you set up hybrid events. Fill out the iSchool Tech Support Request Form to have Help Desk staff stop by before your event to help set up tech. 

Tech Tip of the Week: Sharing a Portion of Screen in Zoom

Did you know you can share just a portion of your screen during a Zoom meeting rather than your whole desktop screen? It’s relatively easy to do so!

To share a portion of your screen, click the green share screen button at the bottom of the Zoom window. When the share screen settings window pops up, select the “Advanced” tab at the top.

On the Advanced menu, select the “Portion of Screen” option and then press “Share.”

A green window will then appear on your screen. You can adjust the size of this green window to fit the area of the screen you want to share.

Tech Tip of the Week: iSchool Wiki Zoom Resources

Welcome back, iSchoolers! Getting back into the swing of Zoom classes and meetings can be overwhelming, but the Help Desk has you covered with all the Zoom documentation you could need. The iSchool wiki has a dedicated page for Zoom resources and documentation, including tips on how to sign in to Zoom using SSO, navigating breakout rooms, and adding Zoom meetings to your Outlook calendar. Check out our Zoom documentation on the wiki here

And as always you can ask the Help Desk if you have any questions or concerns about Zoom! We are currently working in the iSchool building on the 2nd floor, and you can also reach us at 217-244-4903 or 800-377-1892, ischool-support@illinois.edu, and on our TechChat.

Tech Tip of the Week: Services Available After Graduation

While many services and accounts expire after graduation, some services will continue for a period of time. The Help Desk has compiled a list of services you can still use for a while after you leave the iSchool. Make sure to review it over the summer and save any information from these services before the Fall.

Tech Tip of the Week: Adding an Alternative Host to Zoom

You have a Zoom meeting scheduled but you, as the host, just realized you have a scheduling conflict and won’t be able to attend. Fortunately, you can assign someone else to be an alternative host in your absence. Alternative hosts have permissions that co-hosts do not have, such as starting, ending, or recording a meeting. The steps to create an alternative host for pre-existing meetings can be found on the iSchool Wiki. If you have any questions on how to use this feature, the Help Desk is here to help!

Tech Tip: Asking for Help in Zoom Breakout Rooms

Did you know you can ask for help from your instructor in Zoom breakout rooms? At the bottom of the Zoom screen, you can click “Ask for Help” in the meeting controls. Another button will appear that says “Invite Host.” Clicking this button sends a notification to the instructor that your breakout room has requested help.

For more Zoom tips and tricks, visit the Zoom Help Desk Wiki page.

Tech Tip of the Week: Setting the Time Zone in Zoom

Have you ever noticed a different time listed for Zoom sessions in Moodle or Canvas? If you have, you may need to correct the time zone in your Zoom account. You can find the steps to change your time zone here: https://wiki.illinois.edu/wiki/display/ischool/Setting+the+Time+Zone+in+Zoom

Please reach out with any questions you may have!

 

 

Tech Tip of the Week: Creating Polls Ahead of Time in Zoom

Did you know you can schedule polls for class ahead of time? You can, and the Help Desk has documentation to help walk you through the process!

This feature is especially helpful if you have a series of questions you want to ask, and it allows you to save time instead of scrambling to type up the questions before class. To read the Help Desk’s documentation on creating polls ahead of time go to this wiki page.

As always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Help Desk!