Available now, Southern Methodist University has expanded services for Zoom, a cloud-based video conferencing and web conferencing service, as the primary eLearning tool for delivering easy-to-use, high-definition video/audio conferencing capabilities to faculty and students. Brought to campus in January 2015 as part of a pilot initiative, Zoom has proven a reliable, future-forward and cost-effective collaboration tool which is easy to use on just about any device (even Linux!). As Zoom transitions from pilot initiative and into a supported service, Zoom will also be replacing SMU’s current GoToMeeting conferencing service.
Over the next few months, OIT’s Academic Technology Services team will be integrating Zoom within Canvas and will be configuring Zoom for use with SMU’s single-sign-on technology so that you can use your SMU login credentials for access. Short-term Zoom Webinar licenses are also available but limited–please contact the IT Helpdesk for more information about webinars.
Suggested Uses for Zoom
1:1 Meetings with Students
Schedule meetings with students that you would normally meet face-to-face by using a Zoom meeting. If you have distance students, or when bad weather prohibits travel to campus, meetings and/or classes can still be held over Zoom (up to 50 participants).
Virtual Office Hours
With Zoom you can offer virtual office hours from any location anywhere in the world (with Internet accessibility). Send your students or collaborators an invite through email or post the meeting information on your Canvas course site as to the “office hours” that you will be available. Scheduled Zoom office hours create an active virtual “office” where students can come and go as needed.
Paper & Research Reviews
Using the Zoom Share Screen feature, you can have students or colleagues submit work for real-time review during a live Zoom session. Share Screen allows you to provide real-time feedback on work and to allow for any synchronous clarification as needed.
Exam Review Sessions
Launch a Zoom session and allow students to enter as necessary. Faculty members can choose to either moderate a student led review or to lead the review on their own.
External Research Collaboration
Need to host a research discussion or virtual seminar with up to 50 attendees? No problem! Create a Zoom session!
Recording Lectures, Meetings, & Sessions for Asynchronous Playback
Using Zoom’s recording functionality, all Zoom content can be recorded directly to your hard drive for future reference or future use in creating content for hybrid teaching.
Getting started with Zoom
- Submit a Zoom account request to the IT Help Desk by calling 214.768.HELP or by emailing help@smu.edu. You will receive an email notification when your account has been created.
- Once you’ve created a Zoom account, simply navigate to smu.edu/zoom to log in and host a meeting!
Zoom Requirements
System Requirements
- Internet connection
- Speakers & microphone—built-in or USB plug-in or wireless Bluetooth
- Webcam or HD webcam—built-in or USB blug-in
- Or, an HD cam or HD camcorder with video capture card
Supporting Operating Systems
- Mac OS X with Mac OS 10.7 or later
- Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7
- Linux
Supported Tablets & Mobile Devices
- iOS and Android devices
- Surface Pro 2 & 3
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