Zoom
What is Zoom
Zoom is a web conferencing solution that includes features such as screen-share, breakout rooms, waiting areas, and messaging. The WTS zoom page also lists the following features:
- Host meetings with up to 300 participants
- Up to 24 hrs meeting duration
- Video, audio, & screen sharing
- Join/Host meetings via a computer or mobile device
- Participants do not require an account to join meetings
- Screen sharing for presentations and collaboration
- Plug-in for Outlook calendar to allow easy scheduling
- Local recording
- Chat functions
- H.323/SIP systems integration
What is the purpose of Zoom
Zoom provides a way for Western staff, faculty, students, and their guests to communicate remotely over the web. It can be used for gatherings of under 300 people, and is a valuable remote working tool.
How to use Zoom
Zoom meetings can be created either through the Zoom application, via the online portal, or through OWL. To hold a Zoom meeting, you must have the Zoom application installed.
Where to find Support
This tool is centrally supported
Support
For help, you can contact the WTS Helpdesk
Documentation
Additional information on Zoom can be found on:
Tool Evaluation
Functionality
| Rating | Rationale |
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ScaleThe tool can scale to accommodate up to 300 users, and has the ability to subdivide the larger group into smaller subgroups. |
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Ease of UseThe tool has a learner interface that may be confusing to some; there is limited opportunity for personalization. |
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Tech Support/Help AvailabilityIn-person or email-based technical support is readily available and aids users in troubleshooting tasks or solving problems experienced. |
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HypermedialityThe tool allows users to communicate through different channels (audio, visual, textual) but is limited in its ability to provide non-sequential, flexible/adaptive engagement with material. At this time, ability to add captions for videos is limited to manual input. |
Accessibility
| Rating | Rationale |
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AODA FriendlyThe tool has some limited capacity to be fully accessible for users or for materials to be made AODA-friendly. While there are tools that will allow for Zoom sessions and recordings to be accessible, these require manual input from instructors, TAs, and/or students. |
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User-focused participationThe tool has some limited capacity to address the needs iteracies, and capabilities of various users. |
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Required EquipmentProper use of the tool requires equipment that is common and/or purchased at a low cost. A microphone and webcam is required to use zoom.
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Technical
| Rating | Rationale |
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OWL IntegrationThe tool can be embedded and fully integrated into OWL maintaining full functionality of the tool. |
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Operating SystemsUsers can effectively utilize the tool with any standard, up-to-date operating system (i.e. Windows 10, Apple OSX, etc.) |
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Web Browser Zoom settings can be accessed and modified by any standard, up-to-date web browser (i.e. Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Internet Explorer 10 etc.)The Zoom stand-alone app is required in order to place and recieve video calls. |
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Additional Tech RequirementsThe tool requires the user to download the Zoom stand-alone application. This can be downloaded from the Zoom Website: Download Zoom.
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Mobile Design
| Rating | Rationale |
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Mobile Operating SystemsThe tool is fully functional with a range of electronic mobile devices (laptops, tablets, touchscreens, mobile devices, etc.) |
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Mobile FunctionalityBasic features of the main tool are functional on the mobile app, but advanced features are limited. See Zoom's support site for an extensive comparison of mobile device features vs the desktop application features. |
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Offline AccessThe platform cannot be used in any capacity offline. |
Usage and Account Set Up
| Rating | Rationale |
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Sign Up/Sign InUse of the tool does not require the creation of an external account or additional login. |
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Cost of UseAll aspects of the tool can be used free of charge. |
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Archiving, Saving, and Exporting DataUsers can archive, save, or import and export content or activity data in a variety of formats. It is possible to download the chat log, as well as record the video session. |
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Data Privacy and Ownership Users maintain ownership and copyright of their intellectual property/data; the user can keep data private and decide if/how data is to be shared. For more information, see WTS's page on Privacy and Zoom. |
Social Presence
| Rating | Rationale |
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CollaborationThe tool has the capacity to support a community of learning through both asynchronous and synchronous opportunities for communication, interactivity, and transfer of meaning between users. Synchronous is the default, but asynchronous is supported through making recordings available. |
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User AccountabilityInstructors cannot control student anonymity, but the tool provides some solution for holding students accountable for their actions. While students have the ability to change their names, it is possible to require that they be logged into an official Western account. |
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DiffusionThe tool is widely known and popular, it is likely that most students are familiar with the tool and have basic technical competence with it. |
Instructor Presence
| Rating | Rationale |
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FacilitationThe tool has easy-to-use features that would significantly improve an instructor’s ability to be present with students via active management, monitoring, and engagement. These include reactions, polls, and the ability for participants to raise their hands. |
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CustomizationTool contains many different features which are adaptable to its environment. It is easily customized to suit the classroom context and targeted learning outcomes. |
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Learning AnalyticsThe tool does not support the collection of learning analytics.
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Cognitive Presence
| Rating | Rationale |
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Enhancement of Cognitive Task(s)The tool enhances engagement in targeted cognitive task(s) that were once overly complex or inconceivable through other means. |
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Higher Order ThinkingThe tool may engage students in higher order thinking skills (given significant consideration to design, facilitation, and direction from instructor) |
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Feedback on LearningOpportunities for receiving formative feedback on learning are available, but infrequent or limited (i.e. poor opportunities for tracking performance, monitoring improvement, testing knowledge on a regular basis) |
Security and Privacy
This tool has been formally reviewed by Western’s Technology Risk Assessment Committee
Last Updated: July 15, 2020
Rubric
The eLearning Toolkit Evaluations are made available under the terms of the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence
Feedback
Leave feedback to comment or request that the tool be re-reviewed
Topic at a Glance
Zoom is a centrally supported Web Conferencing product that is available both as a stand-alone application and as an integration into OWL. Zoom has many features that facilitate meetings, virtual office hours, and large group sessions.
