Contents:

• Introduction
• Prepare - The Week Before Class Starts
• Joining a class session via Canvas & Zoom
• Learning From Home Checklist
• Best Practices & FAQs
• Getting Help
• Change Log

 

Introduction

When classes are offered remotely or in hybrid (in person and remote) format, materials will be available in Canvas, and class sessions will meet via Zoom teleconferencing. Steps to prepare, information about using these tools, and support information are below. Please prepare your environment and your laptop, and familiarize yourself with Zoom before class starts.

Note for In-Person Hybrid Class Attendees:
For "roomies" (those attending hybrid classes in person), bring your laptop, charger, and headphones/headsets when you come to campus. Headphones will allow you to participate in breakout rooms and collaborate with "zoomies" (those attending remotely).

Please note that each instructor will have their own preferences for using Zoom and laptops during class sessions or breakout sessions.

 

Prepare - The Week Before Classes Start

Attending class from home requires advance preparation to ensure everything goes smoothly. You will want to prepare four components of your home setup - Internet speed, equipment, environment and familiarity with Zoom.

Test them now, so you you aren't trying to get them working 5 minutes before class starts.

1 Internet Speed

• Ensure your internet upload speed is fast enough - Your upload speed is the primary constraint when you teleconference. Most home internet services market their download speed, which is what you consume watching Netflix or listening to Spotify. It is frequently much higher than the upload speed.  
• We recommended 4 Mbps minimum up/down speed (zoom minimum is 1.5 Mbps, but that can result in choppy video and audio) 
• To test your speed:
  
  • Go to Google.com
  • Search for "internet speed"
  • Click Run Speed Test
    
    
• If you see less than 4.0 Mbps upload, please contact your Internet Service Provider (eg Comcast, ATT&T, etc) to see what options are available to you.

 

2 Equipment

For learning from home, you will want to ensure that you have the right components to teleconference effectively  via Zoom. 

• Computer - a relatively new laptop or desktop computer to present content and manage your Zoom session.
• Monitor(s) - Optionally a second monitor, or iPad. Lets you have Zoom on one screen and use the other for note taking.
• Audio - A microphone or headset for improved audio. Laptop or desktop speakers are fine for hearing discussions.
  
  • You can use your phone for audio or a USB headset if that gives you better sound quality
• Webcam - Optionally, an external webcam and tripod. Your laptop camera is fine for attending class, but t his gives you flexibility in camera placement and lighting.

 

3 Environment

Lighting, acoustics, and backgrounds contribute significantly to the outbound quality of your video call - identify a suitable location that accommodates for these. Here are some tips and tricks

• Camera placement:
  
  • Your camera should be level with your face, and at a distance that captures your head and shoulders. – use the “rule of thirds” to frame yourself appropriately.
  • If you are using your laptop camera, raising the laptop will improve the angle. (for example, by placing it on some books)
• Play with the lighting options you have. In most cases, light coming from behind the camera works best.
• Consider a headset for more consistent audio.
• Test your internet connection from this location if it's different from where you originally tested.  If the speed is too slow, consider running an Ethernet cable temporarily from your modem to the computer, or upgrading your home router.

 

4 Familiarize yourself with Zoom

Install Zoom, test that it works, and learn about the features you will be using.
NOTE: Do Not create a new Zoom account with your Kellogg email address, use the Sign in with SSO process. This insures you will have a fully featured Zoom account without a 40 minute meeting limit.

• Install Zoom on your computer
  
  • Download the Zoom App from https://northwestern.zoom.us/download
  • Install the Zoom app
  • Sign in to Zoom at https://northwestern.zoom.us
    
    • Click or tap on Sign in with SSO
    • Enter Northwestern for the company domain & click/tap Continue
    • If prompted, log in with your NetID & password
    • If prompted, select to use Zoom Meetings to open; optionally, you may select Remember my choice for zoommtnglinks
  • Close the Zoom app
• Install Zoom on your phone - you can use this if your laptop or internet connection fails during class
  
  • Download from the appropriate online store (iOS | Android)
• Install the Zoom for Outlook add-in
  
  • See the instructions at Installing and Using the Zoom for Outlook Add-In
• Test your Zoom connection to ensure that your audio, video, and internet connection are working:
  
  • Visit https://zoom.us/test and follow the instructions
• Using Zoom
  
  • See the general overview, below
  • See the Zoom tutorial on Managing your Video Layout
  • See the Zoom tutorial on Breakout Rooms
  • See the NU Guide to joining Breakout Rooms
  • See the Zoom tutorial on Joining a meeting by phone ( Your "Plan B" if your computer audio is poor or your computer/internet fails during class)
  • Watch the Zoom 45 minute overview on Zoom Meetings for Education(has both instructor and student perspective)
  • Zoom for Students in Canvas (Northwestern)
  • Student Resources for Remote Learning (Northwestern)
  • See the Zoom tutorials on Getting Started

 

Joining a Class session via Canvas & Zoom

Use this Learning From Home Checklist to prepare for each class session. It covers what you can do 30 minutes before, as well as troubleshooting instructions if things are not working. Have a "Plan B" for connecting to your class session if your laptop or internet connection fails - write down the phone number and meeting ID before class starts so you can call back in if necessary.

Information provided here is a guideline as to the general usage and options available, but some features may not be used in all your class sessions. 

• Sign into Zoom using the Zoom App (download) or at northwestern.zoom.us, using your NetID, not email address (directions); otherwise you will show up as Guest.
• Sign into Canvas & select your course
• Click Zoom in the left nav
• Under Upcoming Meetings, click Join on the class session
• Recommended: click on the option to Test Computer Audio / Test Speaker and Microphone before joining the meeting

During a Zoom Class Session

The best way to view most classes is in Side-by-side view, where you can see your instructor and the materials they are presenting.

To arrange your screen this way:

• Select Side-by-side View from the top menu
• Right-click on your instructor's video and select Pin Video
• Drag the small bar between the windows to resize them
• More details available from Zoom

Once you have joined the class session in Zoom and the meeting has started, these other areas will be available to you, controlled by the menu at the bottom.

Your screen may be different - this is a sample with most features turned on.

 

 

The Zoom menu will appear at the bottom of your screen. Please note that not all features will be available in all sessions, and best practice is to defer to your instructor for their preferences as to how to interact during their class session.

• Audio
  
  • The microphone icon allows you to mute/unmute your audio
  • Best practice: Unless you are actively speaking, mute your microphone to avoid disrupting the session
• Video
  
  • The video camera icon stops/starts your video
• Participants
  
  • Clicking on Participants displays the list of people in the session
  • From the Participants list, you can click or tap on the Raise Hand icon; this will cue the instructor (or moderator) that you would like to ask a question or contribute a comment
• Chat
  
  • Clicking or tapping on the Chat icon will open a chat window where you can comment or ask questions.

 

Best Practices

• Set up your equipment in advance
  
  • Use our Learning From Home Checklist for guidance
  • Follow the above steps to get your computer set up
  • Test before you join the meeting/session - click the option to test each time to make sure you've got good audio & video
  • You can use your phone for audio - both listening and speaking - if that gives you better sound quality than your computer.
    
    • If using your phone for audio, enter your participant number in Zoom - this allows the professor to see who you are when you are speaking (otherwise they can only see your phone number)
  • Ensure you have enough internet bandwidth - best practice is not to have other high impact traffic (eg Netflix) using your internet connection while using zoom.
  • Install Canvas and Zoom on your phone as a backup in case you lose internet connection at home.
    
    • Canvas Student app (iOS | Android)
    • Zoom app (iOS | Android)
  • Install the Zoom for Outlook add-in
• Set up your environment
  
  • Find a quiet space; consider a headset if you need to reduce background noise
  • Lighting should be in front of you or to your side so that others in the meeting can see your face (e.g., don't sit in front of a sunny window)
• Reduce distractions for yourself & others
  
  • Put your phone on silent or do-not-disturb if not using it for class
  • Mute your mic when you are not speaking
  • Don't type while your microphone is on (they are very close to the keyboard on most laptops)

FAQs

Q: What should I do if I show up in my class meeting as a guest?
A: Sign out of Zoom and sign back in using your NetId, not email address (directions).

Q: What should I do if I get disconnected during class?
A: Find the class session in Canvas and click/tap to Join again. See the Learning From Home Checklist for more details

Q: What if the video or audio during my class isn't clear?
A: First step would be to disconnect and then rejoin the class session. If the sound or video is choppy, there may be an issue with your internet connection or bandwidth usage - log out of Netflix or other high-bandwidth services while you're attending online class sessions.

Q: Why can't anyone in the class hear me?
A: Check your microphone settings - the host/professor may choose the option to mute all attendees upon entry into the session. Click or tap the microphone in the lower left corner of your Zoom screen to mute/unmute your microphone. Click or tap the carat (^) next to the microphone icon and select Test Speaker & Microphone to test & troubleshoot further.

Q: What should I do if I lose internet at home?
A: Connect to the meeting from your phone, either via the Zoom app or by voice. See the Learning From Home Checklist Troubleshooting section for more details.

We recommend having the Canvas and Zoom apps installed on your phone as a backup. Log into the Canvas app on your phone, locate your class, and join the Zoom meeting for that day's session from within Canvas; joining the session in this way ensures you are logged in with your NetID and can be placed into a breakout room by your professor.

• Canvas Student app (iOS | Android)
• Zoom app (iOS | Android)

If you are unable to login via the app on your phone, you can also join the class session by calling into the phone number listed for the session.

Q: I'm a hybrid class student. Do I need to go through these Zoom setup steps?
A: Yes - even if you plan to be on-campus this summer, you will be attending some hybrid sessions from off-campus, as well as possibly connecting to Zoom during some class sessions.

 

Getting Help

• Zoom Help Center
• 24/7 Zoom Support
  
  
  • Submit an online request for support with Zoom
  • Live chat with Zoom support
• Canvas Support
  
  • Live chat with Canvas Support
  • Call Canvas Support at 855-680-0126
  • Canvas Learning Center
  • Canvas Student Center
• Reach out to KIS
  
  • Submit an online support request
  • Email us at kis@kellogg.northwestern.edu