Zoom is available to anyone with a valid Northwestern NetID, and its use is intended for the purpose of conducting University-related activities. To get an account and begin using it immediately, visit the Zoom login page, sign in with your NetID and password, and authenticate using Duo MFA. An account is provisioned automatically upon first login.
This cloud-based audio/video/content sharing conferencing service works through your web browser (Chrome only) or an app that can be downloaded for most desktop and mobile operating systems. It supports HD videoconferencing, screen sharing, breakout rooms, and real-time video sharing. Live chat is available during meetings, and meetings can be recorded. Zoom encrypts all presentation content and telephone audio.
Zoom integrates with Canvas, the University's Learning Management System, allowing instructors to conduct audio, video, and content sharing conferencing within their Canvas courses. Student study groups can virtually meet over Zoom, allowing flexibility when coordinating schedules.
Key Features and Benefits
- Allows up to 500 attendee endpoints to connect to a meeting for Zoom Pro accounts
- Zoom Standard accounts support 300 attendee endpoints
- For more information on the different Zoom account types, visit the Zoom Licensing page.
- Supports HD videoconferencing, screen sharing, and real-time video sharing
- Zoom AI Companion 3.0
- Live chat, Q&A, and cloud recording is available during meetings
- Breakout rooms to support collaboration and team projects
- Q&A and registration support
- Intuitive interface
- Integration with Panopto, Northwestern's desktop recording and media management platform
How It Works
To sign up for a Zoom user account, visit the Zoom login and click the Log In button. Accounts are provisioned automatically after first login.
The first time you log in, schedule, or connect to a Zoom meeting using a computer you will need to download the Zoom desktop application. Downloading and installing the desktop application takes a few minutes, so you’ll want to do it ahead of time before first using it. Mobile users will need to download the app from Google Play or the Apple App Store.
Schedule a Zoom Meeting
The person scheduling the meeting will receive an automated email from Zoom Network with connection details including a URL to access the meeting. This email can be forwarded to meeting participants or added to a meeting invitation in Outlook. How do I schedule a Zoom meeting?
Meetings and Recordings Privacy
Zoom offers optional settings to increase the privacy of your meetings and recordings. Using these settings is recommended if you are discussing any sensitive or confidential information in your meetings. How do I set privacy for Zoom meetings and recordings, and how do I protect against and respond to "Zoombombing?"
Attend a Meeting
There are two ways to attend a Zoom meeting. You can use the link included in the meeting's email invitation or enter a Meeting ID after logging into your Zoom account. A Zoom account is not required to attend a meeting. How do I attend a Zoom meeting?
Access Zoom in Canvas
Northwestern instructors can access Zoom in their Canvas courses. While in Canvas, choose the “Zoom” tab on the left-hand navigation bar. When prompted, click Yes to “Authenticate” and “Authorize.” A new account will automatically be created for first-time users.
Hosting Online Events
Zoom has features to support online events of various sizes with varying degrees of interactivity.
For highly interactive events where all participants will share video and audio, a regular Zoom meeting with attention given to certain settings might be best. Northwestern’s Zoom license allows up to 500 (Pro) or 300 (Standard) participants in a meeting. Visit the IT Knowledge Base for information on how to securely set up a Zoom meeting for an event.
Zoom’s webinars have a different feature set than regular meetings including:
- Enhanced registration options
- Ability to brand email invitations and registration page
- Reporting on registrations, attendance, polling, and Q&A
- Promote attendee to a panelist to give video and audio capability
- Attendees’ names won’t be seen by other attendees
- Zoom AI Companion services
- Does not support breakout rooms
Northwestern IT has secured licenses for webinars with up to 500 participants. One license for up to 1,000 participants is available on a first-come-first-served basis.
To request a webinar license at no cost, please fill out the Zoom Webinar Request Form at least one week in advance of the event. Webinar licenses can typically be applied to your account within two business days after submission of the request form. Departments can also purchase webinar licenses for exclusive use. Webinar requests that total 10 for the year or occur monthly through most of the academic year will be required to purchase a webinar license. Read more details on Zoom Webinars.
Visit the IT Knowledge Base to learn more about Zoom webinars, how to request a license, and pricing.
Zoom AI Companion for Meetings provides support for
- In-meeting questions to catch up on topics discussed, action items
- Meetings summaries available to the host and can be shared to participants
- Smart recording for chaptering, transcription and highlighting action items
Available to
Cost
N/A
How to Request Service
Click the "Zoom Login" button to the right. Accounts are created automatically upon login.