Accessing a Zoom Virtual Classroom

Zoom Virtual Classrooms allow students who are not able to be physically present in class to attend the session online. There are three ways of accessing your zoom virtual classroom, with both common steps and differences for each. Accessing the zoom virtual classroom varies dependent on how your educator has set up your classroom. 

The below guide contains step by step instructions for each pathway to access your zoom virtual classroom. The below topics are covered in this guide, use the below links to navigate instruction on how to access Zoom.

• Open a Zoom Classroom via the Communication Tab
• Open a Zoom Classroom via an Email link
• Open a Zoom Classroom via the Calendar 

Open a Zoom Classroom via the Communication Tab

1. In your VU Collaborate unit space, select Communication from the Navbar, then select Zoom Classroom.

Please note that Zoom and other VU Collaborate functionality should only be used on Google Chrome. Make sure to update Google Chrome regularly for usability and security.

Once you have accessed the zoom virtual classroom, please use the following link to the Student Help Guide Participating in a Zoom Virtual Classroom for further assistance with navigating Zoom.

2. Scheduled Zoom classrooms will appear in the events list. To launch your virtual classroom, select the Join button.

If the class time appears to be incorrect from your scheduled time slot, then you may need to ensure the timezone is set correctly within VU Collaborate. Follow the steps below to view and change the timezone within VU Collaborate. 

Navigate to the top of the screen and underneath the zoom heading, you should be able to see the currently selected time zone. If the timezone is incorrect, select the pencil icon to edit. 

A pop-up window will appear. Select the drop-down option for Time Zone and navigate to the correct time zone. Once selected, click the Update option. The time zone as well as the class times should now be updated. 

3. Once Join has been selected, a new internet tab will open asking you to Open Zoom. If this is your first time opening the application, press the Cancel button. If you have done this before, select Open Zoom and skip to Step 1.1 Testing the Audio - Speaker and Microphone.

4. Once cancelled, move your cursor over to the link on the bottom right of the page which states, download & run Zoom and select it.

5. When the link is pressed your computer will either ask you to save the installer or it will download the installer automatically.

If your computer asks you to save the installer, make sure to save it onto your desktop, or somewhere else that is easy to find, then select Save.

6. Once the installer is downloaded, please select the installer as seen below, to install Zoom onto your computer device.

If the installer application is not shown exactly as above, it’s okay. This means it has been saved onto your desktop screen as you selected to save it there in step 3, or any other chosen place. If you saved the installer on your desktop screen, go to your desktop page and double select the installer to begin the installation.

If you are not sure where you saved the installer and you can’t find it, type Zoom on your computers search bar and it should show you the installer application.

7. Once the installer has been selected, the installer application will start to install as seen below.

8. Once the installer has installed Zoom onto your computer, your classroom meeting will open automatically if there is a current session at the time of installation, as shown below.

If you decided to download & install Zoom while there are no sessions occurring, your session will not open as shown below.

9. Once your session has ended or you are finished installing Zoom, the application should now be stored on your computer device. You will find the application on your desktop screen or by searching your computer with its search bar.

If no shortcut has been created, you can create one by going to your search bar, type Zoom, right-click the Zoom app and select either Pin to Start or Pin to taskbar.

Once pinned, Zoom is now installed completely.

10. If you have already installed the application and you decide to enter your Zoom session via your Delivery Space on VU Collaborate, the below dialogue box will appear, select the Open Zoom Meetings button.

As this is your first time using Zoom, you must access victoriauniversity.zoom.us to configure your account. Please select log-in on this page. Follow the guide Participating in a Zoom Virtual Classroom to see the following steps.

1.1 Testing the Audio - Speaker and Microphone 

1. Select Test speaker and microphone.  

 Make sure the sound and microphone are active on your PC or laptop.

2. Listen to the ringtone. When you hear the ringtone, select Yes.

3. You will then be prompted to speak and pause, if you hear the replay then confirm by selecting Yes.

4. You are now ready to join the Zoom Classroom. You will be prompted twice to press Join with Computer Audio. Once completed, you should now be able to engage in the Zoom Classroom.   

Open a Zoom Classroom via an Email Link 

1. Locate the Zoom invitation email that was sent to your Victoria University email address by your academic. 

2. Select the link under the heading Join Zoom Meeting.

The email content will look like the picture below.

3. The below dialogue box will appear after completing the previous steps. Select Open Zoom Meeting to enter the session.

4. Before joining the zoom meeting you need to test your audio settings. Select the Test speaker and microphone button.

5. You will then be taken to the below dialogue box.

Make sure that the microphone and speaker are active on your PC or laptop prior to commencing the test.

6. You will then be taken to the below dialogue box. Once you hear the tone, Select Yes.

7. You will now be prompted to test the microphone. Speak into the microphone on your PC or Laptop and follow the instruction on your screen.  

8. Once you hear the replay, select Yes. 

9. Once you have completed the audio check, the below dialogue boxes will appear. When you are ready to join the virtual classroom, seelct Join with Computer Audio. 

Both dialogue boxes as below will appear and you will need to select Join with Computer Audio in both to enter the Virtual Classroom.

 Open a Zoom Classroom via the Calendar

1. Log into VU Collaborate.

On the home screen on the right-hand side is where you will locate the calendar.

2. At the bottom of the calendar, you will locate a drop-down box. Select the drop-down arrow and choose the event you wish to view i.e. Zoom Virtual Classroom.

3. Double-click on the event in the calendar.   

4. As seen down below, a dialogue box will appear, allowing you to enter the virtual classroom, select Click here to join Zoom Meeting: XXXXXXXX.

6. Once you have selected the above link, you will be prompted to enter the virtual classroom.

7. To enter, select the Open Zoom Meetings button.

8. The below dialogue box will appear, before joining the zoom meeting you need to test your audio settings. Select the Test speak and microphone button. 

Make sure that the microphone and speaker are active on your PC or laptop prior to commencing the test.

9. You will then be taken to the below dialogue box. Once you hear the tone, select Yes. 

10. You will now be prompted to test the microphone. Speak into the microphone on your PC or Laptop and follow the instruction on your screen. Once you hear the replay, select Yes.  

11. Once you have complete the audio check, the below dialogue boxes will appear. When you are ready to join the virtual classroom, select Join with Computer Audio.

Both dialogue boxes as below will appear and you will need to select Join with Computer Audio in both to enter the Virtual Classroom.

Once you have accessed the zoom virtual classroom, please use the following link to the Student Help Guide  Participating in a Zoom Virtual Classroom for further assistance with navigating Zoom.