Event support - Columbia GSAPP

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GSAPP AV

Zoom Overview & Guides

CUIT Overview & Best Practices

Visit Columbia University IT’s (CUIT) Best Practices for Zoom website to:

Learn about Zoom account types
Request an event license
Participate in live training session
View Training Slides (PDF)
Browse Zoom FAQ (PDF)
Browse “How Do I…” Guides
Learn about virtual backgrounds
Learn about technical requirements
Watch the step-by-step Zoom and Canvas Overview (52 minutes)

Quicklinks: GSAPP Faculty FAQ

The following links direct to resources created by Columbia’s Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), Zoom, and Columbia University IT (CUIT).

Zoom settings and best practices for events and meetings
(PDF published by GSAPP Events)
Teaching with CourseWorks (CTL)
Best practices: video production (CTL)
Recording classes on Zoom (CTL)
Enable Password for Zoom Meetings
Link Zoom Pro Account to Canvas (CTL)
Record meetings on Zoom
- Using Canvas (CUIT)
- Independent of Canvas (Zoom)
Retrieve recordings on Canvas (CUIT)
- Scroll to “Getting started with Zoom Cloud recording” and then to “(3) Manage your cloud recordings”
Host and co-host controls on Zoom
- Transfer host controls (A user cannot host multiple meetings at once)
- Alternative Host
- Co-hosting and Recording without a host
- Overview of meeting roles
Managing Breakout Rooms on Zoom
Zoom Webinar
- Practice Session: Zoom Webinar
- For pricing and to request a Webinar account, reference the “Event License” section on CUIT
CUIT Live Zoom Training (scroll down to the “Zoom Training” section)
If you would like to schedule a hands-on training session with one of CUIT’s Zoom specialists, email courseworks@columbia.edu at least one week in advance of your preferred training dates. Please label your email with the subject line Request for Zoom Training.
Virtual Background images from around Columbia (scroll to the “Virtual Backgrounds” section)

GSAPP Best Practices

1.0 Settings for the Call

Video should be off for participants
Enable the waiting room
Mute Participants on Entry
User should make GSAPP AV/GSAPP Events an “Alternate host” at the bottom of the advanced options

1.1 Settings for your Account

Log into the website zoom.us and click “Settings” located on the left side navigation.
Make sure “annotation” and “whiteboard” are toggled off
Removed users will not be able to rejoin call

1.2 To Consider

Internet connection
- Ethernet: We recommend connection via wired connection if possible. Every router has an input for an ethernet cable (and probably came with one)
- Upgrading WiFi: This is recommended if you consistently teach live.
- Sit as close to your router as possible and make sure your router has as clear a path as possible; Physical barriers are likely to weaken your connection
Additional Programs: If everyone individually shares their screens, please require participants to close all applications except the file they are sharing and Zoom. Tabs on internet browsers and programs updating in the background will harm the quality of your meeting.
If a user is presenting with delayed or distorted audio, quality can often be improved after the user turns off their video and presents using the “audio only” option
Present drawings and animations in low-res. The virtual backgrounds/shape of the window is 1920x1080px (16:9) with a max of 5MB per image. Try to limit the size of each page of the presentation to less than 5MB. If this is not possible, consider breaking up the presentation into several files to minimize the processing required for each page transition.