Zoom Webinars: User guide for attendeesHOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE

To ensure you get the most out of your virtual event experience with Macquarie University we have prepared the following reference of participant functions and actions available for you to use during the session. For more information please follow the links.

ACCESSING ZOOMTo access the webinar on your desktop or mobile device download the free Zoom app.

For the desktop experience, download the desktop app

For the mobile experience, download one of the following apps:

o For iOSo For Android

HOUSEKEEPINGDuring this webinar your video will be switched off and microphone muted. Communications with the speakers to ask questions will be facilitated through the ‘Q&A’ window and answered either out loud or via text. The webinar will be recorded and shared with all participants following the event.

LAYOUTDepending on how the webinar has been set by the host you may be able to select your preferred layout to view the webinar. In the top right hand corner you may be able to select either ‘speaker view’ or ‘gallery view’. At the top centre there may be a ‘view options’ which will allow you to select ‘side by side mode’.

UNMUTE/MUTE

If the host gives you permission, you can unmute and talk during the webinar. All participants will be able to hear you. If the host allows you to talk, you will receive a notification.

Make sure to mute yourself when you are not talking to remove any distracting background sounds.

Audio Controls (click the ^ arrow next to ‘Mute/Unmute’): Allows you to change the microphone and speaker that Zoom is using on your computer, leave computer audio, and access the full audio settings.

*Remove screenshot if not required

CHAT

Open webinar chat, to send chat messages to everyone, the host, speakers, or individual attendees.

*Remove this section if chat is disabled or delete ‘attendees’ if you decide not to allow this function. It may be considered a negative as it can pose as a potential distraction for attendees; however, if the intention is for the audience to discuss some points amongst themselves during the presentation then it can be useful.

RAISE HAND

Raise Hand can be used to indicate you have a question or need something from the host. The host may instruct you on how they plan to use this. Many webinar hosts use this feature to know if an attendee would like to speak out loud.

Please do not use the raise your hand function if you have a question. Submit all questions through the ‘Q&A’ window.

*Tailor this point depending on how you wish for the audience to use this function.

POLLINGYour host may setup polls to collect information from the audience live during the virtual event. Once activated, the poll will pop up on your screen, allowing you to submit your response. You will be given a limited time frame to respond and the host may wish to share and discuss the results with the group.

*Remove if polling not to be used.

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Q&A

The ‘Q&A’ window allows you to ask questions to the host and speakers. They can either reply to you via text in the ‘Q&A’ window or answer your question live. 

TO ASK A QUESTION1. Type your question into the ‘Q&A’ box. Click ‘Send’.

Note: Check ‘Send Anonymously’ if you do not want your name attached to your question in the Q&A.

2. If the host replies via the Q&A, you will see a reply in the Q&A window.

3. The host can also answer your question live (out loud). You will see a notification in the ‘Q&A’ window if the host plans to do this.

As an attendee you can also like or comment on other attendees’ questions. This helps the host or participant identify popular questions, especially in a webinar with many attendees.

Click the thumbs up icon to like a comment.

TIPThe number beside the icon is the total number of likes the question has received so far.

Click ‘Comment’ to write a reply to an existing question.

Type your comment and click ‘Send’.Your comment will appear beneath the question.

*Remove if the host/co-host doesn’t intend to monitor this.

LEAVING AND REJOINING THE WEBINARClick ‘Leave meeting’ to leave the webinar at any time. If you accidentally leave, you can rejoin if the webinar is still in progress, as long as the host has not locked the webinar. 

*Tailor if the webinar will be locked.

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