FOR ZOOMERS

Learning about ZOOM is actually very easy. They have informative training sessions live or recorded, both available on the ZOOM.us website. Start with the basic introduction (about 30 min.). If you wish to delve further, you can view some of the more advanced recordings or join one of their frequent live webinars. Try it! The training recordings are thorough and informative.    https://zoom.us/livetraining

1. Before the meeting, you will be sent a link to join the video conference call. You must use that link to join the call. Copy the link and insert it into your search bar and hit enter. When you first use the link, you will arrive at a Zoom screen. Zoom will ask you to wait while the connection is set up and the app is downloaded if necessary. Be patient. It takes more time than you expect to connect.

2. When you are connected to the VSG meeting through the link, you will see a first small screen that askes you about audio. Selecting “computer audio” will make you audible to us (and us to you). [If you have a separate camera or microphone, you will be able to switch over to them once you have connected. (see https://zoom.us/livetraining)

3. Muting: You will have an icon on the lower left of your ZOOM screen that is labeled “mute.” Please mute yourself while you are listening. It will help to clear up any unintentional interference from pets, kids, sirens, train whistles, significant others or mythical creatures. Unmute yourself when you wish to speak.

4. There will be a chat screen icon at the bottom of your ZOOM screen. Activate that button to make important notes for all of us as we meet. That is where links, emails and other information will be posted.

5. Respect your fellow tellers. (Although you have the capacity to record the meeting on ZOOM, we ask you to exercise judgement and restraint. Please record ONLY yourself. Respect the intellectual property of others and do not record them.)

6. Other electronics don’t play well with running ZOOM. If you have a laptop, tablet, or even a smart phone next to your computer, it can cause interference. Please shut extra devices off.

7. If you cannot enter the meeting, or have misplaced the link, email Cris (crisriedel05@gmail.com). We will resend you the link or invite you through the email.

8. If you wish to “raise your hand” to make a comment or give feedback, hit Alt+Y on your keyboard (that’s Opt+Y on a Mac). Alternatively, activating the “participants” button at the bottom of the screen will give you a number of command options, including raising your hand. (Of course you can always just wave your hand around if you have video!)

9. When a teller is performing a story, you can enlarge their screen for better visibility and enjoyment by going to the upper right of her/his video with your curser. The blue square with the 3 dots is a drop-down menu. On that menu, select “pin video.”

10. On that same three dot drop-down menu is the command to hide your own video. If you prefer not to look at your own face, select that option. We will still be able to see you, but your face won’t appear on your own screen.

Now that you are all set up, we welcome you to the Virtual Storytelling Guild!