Welcome to the LiveOnline@UT (Zoom) Best Practices for Participants page. Please review the information below regarding creating a LiveOnline@UT (Zoom) account as well as the section on Best Practices for Participants.

How to Create a LiveOnline@UT (Zoom) Account

To create your UT Zoom account, please go to our UT Zoom page at tennessee.zoom.us. Select “Create or Edit Account” and enter your NetID and password. If prompted via an email from Zoom to confirm the account, please do so.

How to Attend a LiveOnline@UT (Zoom) Online Class or Meeting

To attend an online classroom session or meeting, the instructor or leader of the meeting should provide you with a link to the meeting or the meeting ID. The meeting link or meeting ID may appear in your Online@UT (Canvas) course site or it may be sent to you via email.

• Please review this article on how to join a Zoom session from your Online@UT (Canvas) course site.

• To join a meeting via an email invitation, select the meeting URL (link) in the email. You may be prompted for a passcode, or, to authenticate with your UT account credentials, if the meeting leader has selected these security features. If a passcode is applied, the passcode information will appear in the meeting invitation.
• To join a meeting with the meeting ID, please go to tennessee.zoom.us. Select “Join a Meeting” and enter the meeting ID.

Guides for Participants

• LiveOnline@UT (Zoom) Participant Guide (PDF)
• LiveOnline@UT (Zoom) How to Join a Meeting (PDF)

Best Practices for Participants

Connectivity Recommendations

• Be sure you have a robust internet connection. A fast LAN connection or excellent Wi-Fi signal strength are key. Avoid public Internet Wi-Fi hotspots. This is very important for all participants in a session that will be using the high-definition Audio and Video (webcam) tools available in a Zoom meeting.
• Attend a Test Flight prior to your first class. For more information on Test Flights, review the System Requirements page and scroll down the page to the Test Flights section.
• Review the Announcements section of our support site for the latest information on application updates.
• Be familiar with the technical support options. Contact the OIT HelpDesk at 865-974-9900 or submit a ticket online for our Teaching and Learning Technologies team.

Audio and Video

• A USB headset is recommended for best sound quality.
• Before attending a live session, make sure the sound is working properly on your computer. You may test the sound by playing a media file.
• Once you enter the online meeting environment, test your audio device. Locate the microphone symbol on the meeting toolbar. Next to that symbol, locate a chevron, and select it one time. A list of available devices will appear. Test your audio from this list of options that appears.
• If there is a red bar over the microphone symbol on the toolbar, your audio may be muted by the meeting leader. You may mute your own audio broadcast at any time by selecting the microphone symbol on the toolbar. Muting your audio when not speaking is a way to help minimize broadcasting background noise in the online classroom.
• Keep in mind that your computer may have more than one sound device. If you plan to use a USB headset (recommended), select this device in the Audio Options.
• Remember that the video (webcam) and mic are two separate features and may function separately. Participants may use the webcam but not the mic, and vice versa. Availability of mics and webcams in the online meeting environment is controlled by the meeting leader.

Breakout Rooms, Share Screen and Mobile Apps

• Breakout Rooms are small, online groups that may be engaged within the main session. Each Breakout Room may have several participants and a share screen activity. The instructor or meeting leader is responsible for starting and and stopping Breakout Rooms.
• Instructors and meeting leaders may join any Breakout Room while in progress. Participants may use the Ask for Help icon on the meeting toolbar to request assistance while in a room. The Ask for Help icon only appears for participants when they are in a Breakout Room.
• There may come a time in the online classroom when a participant is asked to use the Share Screen tool. The Share Screen tool is available in the main meeting room, and each Breakout Room may have its own Share Screen activity.
• Have the best possible connection for Breakout Rooms and Share Screen activities. This is also very important for the best experience of the high-definition audio and video (webcam) tools available within a LiveOnline@UT (Zoom) meeting.
• We recommend attending a meeting via a desktop or a laptop for the best participant experience. However, there are mobile apps available for both iOS and Android devices. Please keep in mind that not all meeting features may be available for use via the mobile app, including some options for the Share Screen tool.