Zoom

JANUARY 2024 – PRESENT

Overview

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020, Zoom swiftly gained popularity, cementing itself as a household name. Serving as a versatile communications platform, Zoom empowers individuals to virtually connect, learn, work, and engage socially through video, audio, phone, and chat functionalities.

The Patterson Foundation uses Zoom to convene external and external stakeholders in workshops, Webversations, and more. Each time TPFers host a Zoom event, it’s similar to inviting guests into the TPF office to connect, learn, and share. Naturally, as a hospitable host or hostess, it’s a collaborative effort to ensure all participants feel welcomed and engaged and that the event runs smoothly.

Remember, as TPFers, we’re looking to build connective tissue. We intentionally create and strengthen trust-based relationships to ensure a more vibrant future. By refining and sharpening our Zoom skills, we enhance our capacity to effectively engage virtual participants throughout the entire session and ensure that our time together is valuable and productive.

Logistics

All Zooms are not created equal. Zoom offers two meeting types: Zoom Meeting and Zoom Webinar Platforms. They both offer similar features and functionality but have some key differences.

Meetings are designed as collaborative events, allowing participants to seamlessly share screens, activate their video and audio, and view the attendees. They are perfect for hosting interactive sessions that thrive on audience engagement or dividing your session into smaller groups. While meetings are free, paid subscription options are also available. With a complimentary license, you can accommodate up to 100 people, and even more, depending on your chosen paid plan.

Webinars are designed so the host and designated panelists can share their video, audio, and screen. The host can also unmute attendees. Webinars allow view-only attendees to interact via Q&A, chat, and answer polling questions. Webinar attendees are unable to rename themselves. Webinars are like a virtual lecture hall or auditorium. Webinars are ideal for large audiences or events open to the public and where attendees do not interact with one another. Webinars are a paid add-on. Depending on the paid license, you can have between 500-50,000 participants. You can find a detailed comparison between Zoom meetings and webinars here.

You don’t need a Zoom account to join a Zoom meeting as a participant. Having a Zoom account allows you to create and host your meetings, invite others to join your meetings, and update personal settings to maximize your Zoom virtual meeting experience.

Every Zoom meeting is assigned a unique Zoom ID. This ID can be randomly generated or set as a personal meeting ID. To better understand the difference, think of a random meeting ID as a ticket handed to you while waiting in line, while a personal meeting ID is more like an assigned parking spot, office space, or identification card. To participate in a Zoom meeting or webinar, you can join through a link, an invitation, or even by phone.

Before diving into the Zoom world, you’ll need to create your personal free Zoom account here.

FAQ's

Click on frequently asked questions below to learn more about this initiative...

What is Zoom, and how does it work?

Zoom is a communications platform that allows you to connect with video, audio, phone, and chat. Zoom lets you connect virtually to learn, work, and socialize remotely.

Requirements: Zoom requires an internet connection and a supported device. Although you do not need an account to join a Zoom meeting, you do need an account to create a Zoom meeting. An account can be created for free.

Watch a brief overview here.

How does The Patterson Foundation use Zoom?

TPF uses Zoom to convene both external and external stakeholders in the following ways:

To host regular initiative team meetings
To host knowledge sharing sessions (KSS), a gathering of those involved with an initiative to learn what is working, what we have learned, and what opportunities there are to grow going forward. See an example here.
To host labinars, sessions that uniquely combine the engagement and interactivity of a learning lab with the virtual education of a webinar. See an example here.
To host Webversations, sessions that uniquely combine the virtual learning platform of a webinar with the 1:1 shared dialogue of a conversation. See an example here.
To host webisodes, a series of themed videos available on the internet. See an example here.
To host workshops and sessions that engage groups of people in intensive discussion and activity on a particular subject. See an example here.

What are essential Zoom skills for a TPFer?

Overview of Concepts

Key Functions for Beginners

Advanced (Must have a paid Zoom)

What Zoom classes are offered for TPFers?

The following one-hour and 15-minute classes are offered to help you strengthen your essential Zoom skills:

Mastering Zoom Meeting Basics: Provides a brief overview of its purpose and functions. It’s an opportunity to learn, practice, and hone in on essential Zoom skills.
Engaging Your Audience With Polls, Breakout Rooms, and More: Provides a brief overview of maximizing Zoom’s functions (Polls, Whiteboard, Breakout Rooms, etc.) to connect and engage your audience during a Zoom meeting.