Best Practices
Video conferences on Zoom are subject to Internet accessibility regulations.
Continue reading to learn more about best practices for access to Zoom so that participants, including lecturers and students, can gain access to Zoom for video conferencing.
Zoom Video Communications is compliant with international regulations, enabling users to digitally access Zoom for the purpose of organizing and running video conferences online.
Closed Captioning and Audio Transcription
Zoom enables users to manage and view closed captioning during live video conferences. Assign a participant to perform speech-to-text translation in real-time, using any known language.
Video conferences can be saved as recordings on the cloud, for which audio transcription is available by means of speech-to-text technology. This option is only available in English.
For more information, review the following articles on the Zoom Web site:
PowerPoint and Google Slides
Audio transcription can also be produced using PowerPoint or Google Slide. Both programs make audio transcription available by means of speech-to-text technology. After identifying the speaker’s voice and analyzing its contents, their words are displayed on the computer screen.
This option is available in multiple languages (excluding Hebrew).
Note: Microsoft Office 365 is required for activation.
For more details, review the Microsoft Office Online sections under our software service references, as well as the following Microsoft and Google resources:
Video and Audio Quality
Video Quality
Verify your webcam functions well prior to video conferencing. Ensure your face is lighted sufficiently for participants to view you clearly. Include your head and shoulders in the frame.
Only use non-distracting background images. Avoid using a animated background image.
Voice Quality
Verify your computer’s internal microphone or external headphones are working properly for participants to hear your voice clearly. Avoid background noises and speak slower than usual.
Make sure all participants' microphones are muted when joining the video conference. Notify participants of how to ask questions throughout the video conference (e.g., microphone or chat).
For more information, view a video on how to set up a Webcam and microphone.
Chat Window
Consider the following recommendations when using the chat window in a video conference:
- Forward materials or links shared in the chat window through other channels, such as emails. Not all participants may have seen what is shared in the chat window.
- Read out questions and answers written in the chat window for all participants to hear.
- Chat window contents are not saved automatically (review this Zoom reference to learn how to manually save in-meeting chats).
Screen Sharing and Whiteboarding
Share a screen to showcase information, such as presentations, media, white screens, and so forth. Consider the following recommendations when screen sharing or using a white screen:
- Explain any screenshot, image, infographic, video or other item shown. Participants may not have always seen what is shared on your screen due to a poor Internet connection, vision impairment or cognitive impairment (e.g., simultaneous reading and listening).
- Share all materials prior to starting the video conference. This allows participants to review materials with the presenter and makes the materials accessible to them.
- Explain the contents of any illustration or drawing shown by means of a white screen.
Documentation, Presentations or User Guides
You can use additional documentation, presentations or user guides to transfer important information shared in a video conference. While participants may have difficulties with viewing or understanding such materials, send any such files before or after the video conference.
Spotlight
Spotlighting a participant’s video in Zoom enables one participant to become the primary active speaker for all participants, with all participants viewing the primary active speaker’s screen (learn more via this Zoom reference on spotlighting participants' videos).