Center for Instructional Technology and Distance Learning

Zoom Videoconferencing

Picture of teacher using Zoom

What is Zoom and how is it used?

Zoom is a videoconferencing tool that enables participants to "join anywhere, on any device" from mobile to desktop.  It can be used for distance learning, virtual meetings and collaboration sessions by providing video, audio, real-time messaging and content sharing in one application.  Some of its features include:

  • Virtual meeting rooms that can host up to 300 participants
  • Session recording and transcripts
  • Built-in collaboration tools
  • Meeting security (passwords, waiting rooms, placing attendees on hold)
  • Team chat

How do I download and install Zoom?
​​​​​​​(a.k.a. - Authenticate my CSU Zoom Account)

If you are faculty, staff or a student at CSU, you have access to a licensed version of Zoom.  Here are videos demonstrating how to download and install Zoom as well as sign-in using Single Sign-On (SSO), on a number of devices, with your CSU credentials.  This is how you would authenticate your CSU Zoom account.

Written instructions can be found here:

Zoom on a desktop | Zoom on iOS | Zoom on Android | Zoom on Chrome OS

Video demonstrations can be found here:

Zoom on a PC | Zoom on a Mac | Zoom on an iPhone | Zoom on an Android

CSU Zoom Links

CSU Branded Virtual Backgrounds

You can add a Cleveland State look and feel to your virtual learning, teaching and working with University-branded Zoom virtual backgrounds.  When you sign-in to Zoom with your CSU credentials, you'll find them waiting for you to try out. You can learn how to select virtual backgrounds here.

Note: If you are not able to locate the CSU branded virtual backgrounds after signing in with your CSU credentials, please try updating your Zoom desktop client to the latest version.  You can learn how to update to the latest version here.

Resources from Zoom

Zoom-Hosted Webinars

Zoom staff host free and interactive live training webinars daily.  They are designed to get participants "up to speed in less than an hour." 

Topics include: Getting Started with Zoom, Zoom Meetings, Zoom Meetings for Education (Students and Educators) and Zoom - Ask Me Anything. They ask that you make sure to select the time zone that works for you when registering for one of their live training webinars.

CSU-Hosted Webinars

Getting Started with Zoom Videoconferencing
(Recorded - August 18, 2020)
This webinar explores how to schedule, host, record and share a Zoom Meeting.
(Recording | PDF of links to resources)

Interactive Teaching with Zoom
(Recorded - August 20, 2020)
This webinar explores several tools used to facilitate interactivity among participants in a Zoom meeting including breakout rooms, polling and non-verbal feedback.
(Recording | PDF of links to resources)

Recording Handwritten Content for Sharing Online
(Recorded - November 12, 2020)
This webinar showcases a range of hardware and software tools available to instructors for recording handwritten content such as complex concepts, processes, equations and diagrams. 
(Recording | PDF of links to resources | PowerPoint)

More questions about Zoom?

You can access the Zoom Education Guide to learn how to install and start using it.

If you'd like to walk through the download and installation process with us or discuss how you can you use Zoom in your remote teaching, please contact us at instructionaltech@csuohio.edu.

You can visit our Zoom Help Meeting to get questions answered in real-time.  Our Zoom Meeting is open Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm.