Academy for Lifelong Learning
How to Attend an Academy for Lifelong Learning Class Using Zoom
Since you are reading this online, there is a very high probability that you have what you need to
attend an ALL class on Zoom Webinar. At a minimum you need an internet connection and a
device with a web browser, e.g. Firefox.
Zoom works with almost any device—Windows, Android, iOS, OSX. However, while the
conceptual actions are the same, the specific details of what you need to do are, as you probably
expect, slightly different depending on your operating system and the screen size.
In each weekly newsletter the ALL Program Coordinator will include three things for each of the
classes coming up: a web link, a Webinar ID, and a passcode. Using the link is the easiest way to
get started. The Webinar ID and associated passcode allow one to use the Zoom app which
provides some additional functionality. For simplicity this Getting Started guide focuses on using
the link without installing anything new. Near the end of this guide, information will be provided
regarding other ways of accessing Zoom.
This is a non-working example of a Zoom Webinar link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/xxxxxxxxxxx.. Each class will have a unique link.
You don't need to install any extra software to join a Zoom webinar. You can do it all with a web
browser.
1.
Click on the link in the weekly ALL newsletter email.
2.
A new tab will open on your preferred web browser. If you don't have the Zoom app
installed, the Zoom web page will urge you to download it.
3.
A pop-up window may indicate that a download has already begun. Cancel the download.
4.
Ignore the request that you download the App and skip down to the small print: "If you
cannot download or run the application, join from your browser.” Click the highlighted
text "join from your browser".
5.
In some cases you may not see the text noted above. If so, click on “launch meeting” and
then cancel any download.
6.
Now you should almost certainly see “join from your browser” on the Zoom web page.
Click it.
7.
Sign in with your name to join the webinar.
8.
If you have tried to join the meeting before the moderator has ‘opened the room’ (typically
10 minutes before the class is scheduled to begin), a message will appear asking you to
wait. In this case, “wait” means do nothing; you do not need to sign in again later unless
you break the connection.
If you have trouble joining the webinar, please send an email to
admin@AcademyforLifelongLearning.org and describe the problem. Do not expect an immediate
response, although you might get one depending on several factors. However, you should get a
response within a couple of days.
During the meeting
Your microphone and camera will be automatically disconnected when you are admitted to the
room.
To see the Webinar Controls, you may need to move the cursor to the top or bottom of the meeting
window depending on your specific device. With some devices, pressing the ALT key toggles the
control bar.
You may leave the meeting at any time by clicking the red Leave Meeting or Leave button—One
of the Webinar Controls typically at the lower or upper right of the meeting window depending on
your device. However, at the end of the class, the moderator will disconnect everyone
automatically; so you do not have to do anything.
To ask a question, click on the Q&A button on the Webinar Controls bar. Type your question. The
moderator will pass the question to the presenter at an appropriate time.
Other ways of joining a Zoom meeting
Go to https://zoom.us . Click on the Join a Meeting tab. Enter the Meeting/Webinar ID. Enter
your name and demonstrate that you are not a robot. Click Join. Enter the passcode. Click Join.
Click Join Audio by Computer.
If the Zoom app has already been installed on your device, clicking on the link will initiate a series
of automated steps that should culminate in you being admitted to the meeting. (In one of the
early steps, you might need to confirm that you wish to open Zoom.)
Alternatively, if Zoom has already been installed on your device, you may open it, click on join a
meeting, and then enter the Meeting ID and passcode.
Installing the Zoom App
As previously noted, you do not need to install the Zoom app to use Zoom. However, having
your own free account provides additional functionality, including the ability to host your own
meetings.
If you want to install the Zoom app, you may click on the link in the email and then click on
“download and run Zoom”. See step 2, above.
Alternatively, if you want to install Zoom, you may go to https://zoom.us/ . Click on the Plans and
Pricing tab and then sign up for the Basic (free) plan.
Comments and References
Be aware that Zoom and ALL sometimes use specific words to mean slightly different things. In
particular, Zoom uses “host” to mean the person with technical control of the meeting, while ALL
uses the same word to identify the ALL member who introduces the presenter—just like in-person
classes. All uses “moderator” to identify the person with technical control of the meeting. This is
similar to the Facilities Committee tech during in-person classes; but the moderator additionally
provides considerably more control over the interactions between the attendees and the presenter.
Getting started. This page is essentially the Zoom index to all sorts of basic information about
using Zoom. https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200101697
Joining and participating in a webinar (attendee). This page is the much more detailed Zoom
version of the above procedures. Of particular value, about half way down the page is a section
called Webinar Controls. https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/115004954946-Joining-and-
participating-in-a-webinar-attendee-
How to Use
Zoom Webinar
to Attend
ALL Classes
This page updated
10/10/2020