Zoom Webinar Quick Start Guide for Penn State Extension Participants

This quick start guide provides basic instructions for joining and participating in a live Zoom webinar.

A Zoom webinar enables you to view and listen to presentations by Penn State Extension educators. You can join a Zoom webinar by clicking the URL that you received in your registration confirmation or reminder email.

See Systems Requirements for PC, Mac and Linux, or for iOS, iPadOS, or Android for details on technical requirements.

1. Click the Webinar URL provided by the host.
   
   If you do not already have the Zoom app installed, follow the prompts to download and install the Zoom desktop application. Click Download Now when you click the webinar link. (See figure below).
   
   Note: You will need to download and install the Zoom desktop application to use meeting chat and participate in polls.
2. Once you click the Webinar URL you will be redirected to a page to launch the meeting. Select Launch Meeting.
   
3. A prompt will come up that asks if you want this page to open "zoom.us". Select Allow.
4. This will then open the Webinar interface.
   
   Please Note: You may see a message to wait if the host hasn't started broadcasting the webinar yet.
   
   
   
   Figure: The participant webinar window with participant tools for Chat, Raise Hand, and Q&A visible at the bottom of the screen.
   
   Note: Mobile app interfaces will appear differently but contain most of the same functionality. For help with using Zoom on iOS and Android devices, visit the Mobile section of the Zoom Help Center.

Typically, only the host and panelists can talk in a webinar. However, you can adjust your speaker settings.

Click the Audio Settings button in the lower left to check your speaker settings. Set your speaker and microphone, test them, and adjust other settings.

In a Zoom webinar, you can interact with the host, co-hosts, and panelists by raising your hand, typing in chat, or typing in Q&A if the host has enabled those features.

Raise Your Hand

1. Click the Raise Hand button at any time to indicate to the host and panelists that you have a question.
   
   
2. To lower your hand, click the Lower Hand button.
   
   

Send Messages with Chat

Chat is a feature that is controlled by the webinar host. The host can choose to allow participants to chat with everyone, only panelists and hosts, or with no one.

1. Click the Chat button to open the chat panel.
   
   
2. Type your message in the Text box at the bottom of the panel. Please note you have the option to send the message to the Host and Panelist or Everyone
   
   
3. Press Enter to send your message.

Ask Questions with Q&A

If enabled by the host, you can pose questions to the host and panelists using the Q&A feature. The host or panelist may choose to respond to you privately or send your question and answer to everyone in the webinar.

1. Click the Q&A button to open the window.
   
   
2. Type your question in the text field.
3. If you want your question to be anonymous, check the Send Anonymously
4. Click Send.
   
   
   Figure: Q&A question displayed with private answer

Leave a Webinar

1. Click the X in the upper-right corner of the window to exit the webinar, or:
2. Click the Leave Meeting item in the lower-right corner of the screen.

The host may choose to set up additional features in the webinar or meeting. Also, a host may choose to promote you to a panelist during a webinar, and this will allow you access to a variety of tools via the menu bar such as enabling your audio and video and sharing your screen.

Figure: Zoom application lower toolbar with additional tools.

Mute/Unmute Audio and Adjust Audio Options

Using audio in a Zoom meeting requires you to have access to either a microphone through your computer or a telephone. Please be aware that the host can control participant audio in a meeting. This means the host can mute and unmute you at any time. Check the icons in the menu bar and the participants panel to determine your current audio setting.

1. To unmute yourself and begin talking, click the Unmute button (microphone) in the bottom-left corner of the meeting window.
2. To mute yourself, click the Mute button (microphone). A red slash will appear over the microphone icon indicating that your audio is now off.
3. To test your computer microphone and speakers, click the up arrow to the right of the microphone icon and select Audio settings.
   
   Note: You can switch to a different audio input device using the Audio Options button. If you have joined the meeting via computer audio, be sure to leave computer audio before dialing in to the meeting via the phone.

Start/Stop Video and Adjust Video options

1. Click the Start Video
2. Click the Stop Video button to stop sharing your video stream.
3. To choose a different webcam or adjust your video settings, click the up arrow to the right of the Video icon and select Video Settings.
   
   Note: When video is activated, display options are available in the upper right of the screen and in the upper right of each participant's window in both Speaker View and Gallery View.
   
   Note: If you choose not to turn on your webcam in the meeting and video has been activated, your video window will contain either your name, email address, or a photo, depending on how your profile is set up in the Zoom Web Portal.

Participate in Polls

The host may ask you to participate in a poll during the session. A poll is typically used for voting, gathering information, or asking questions to the audience. When the host launches the poll, the poll dialog box will appear on the meeting screen. You can move the poll dialog box to any location on your screen.

1. Select the radio button to the left of the desired response.
2. Click Submit.
3. The poll will disappear from the meeting screen.

Reactions

If enabled, you may click the Reactions icon to share a 'thumbs up' or 'clapping' icon briefly to indicate your reaction.

Additional Help

For additional help with Zoom webinar features, see Penn State's Zoom support page.

The information in this guide is adapted from Penn State University ITLD: Participating in a Zoom Webinar Quick Start Guide and Participating in a Zoom Meeting Quick Start Guide