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As more of us in #HigherEd are #MeetingOnline or #TeachingOnline, we are also getting unwanted guests. Here are some tips on controlling a #Zoom room that may help prevent #ZoomBombing. #SAChat #AcademicTwitter (1)
First, do not publicly provide classroom or meeting links unless you must. (2)
As host, you can enable a waiting room so you control who enters. The host has to approve who is admitted into the meeting. This can work well for a classroom when you know students’ names. For more information (FMI): https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360022174112-Using-a-Waiting-Room-with-Zoom-Rooms (3)
As host, you can also require a meeting password. For instance, for a public meeting link that has been shared (like a dissertation defense), the password could only be provided to those who RSVP. FMI: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360033559832-Meeting-and-Webinar-Passwords- (4)
If it is a classroom, mark it so that only the host can share the screen. For a dissertation defense, mark student as a cohost so both you & student can share screens. https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362153-Sharing-your-screen (5)
If you forget & an unwanted “guest” enters, you can quickly change the setting under the Share Screen tab to “only host.” (6)
As host, you can also remove a #Zoombomber or any participant by clicking in the top right portion of their profile. Just make sure that your advanced settings do not allow them to rejoin! FMI: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360021851371-Allowing-Removed-Participants-or-Panelists-to-Rejoin (7)
You can mute all participants upon entry. While they can unmute themselves, this at least slows any #ZoomBomber from making noise immediately. You can do this every time you create a meeting, or you can make this a default setting. FMI: https://twitter.com/DrCliffH/status/1242494448162025472?s=20 (8) https://twitter.com/drcliffh/status/1242494448162025472
As host, you can mute other participants as well. You can also designate a cohost(s) to help out with this. FMI: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/115005759423-Managing-participants-in-a-meeting (9)
While I am sure hackers, hatemongers, and those looking to cause chaos will find ways around these methods, these tips are at least a starting point. (10/end)
P.S. It is IMPORTANT to ALWAYS report hate speech to your campus police/local authorities (or follow your campus protocol for bias incident reporting)! Plus, contact your campus technology when new situations arise. (11/Actual End)
