Remote Learning - Joining class through Canvas Zoom link
📅 Your Guide to Joining a Zoom Lesson in Canvas
Welcome to your course! Many of your live lessons will be held using Zoom, which is accessible directly through Canvas. This guide will walk you through the simple steps to find and join your class meetings.
The primary way to join is through the Zoom link in your course menu, but your instructor might also post links in Announcements, Modules, or the Calendar. We will cover all methods.
🥇 Method 1: The "Zoom" Link (Most Common)
This is the most direct way to find all your scheduled classes, office hours, and recordings in one place.
Log in to Canvas: Open your web browser and log in to your school's Canvas portal.
Go to Your Course: From your Dashboard, click on the course you need to attend.
3. Find the Zoom Link: Look in the Course Navigation Menu on the left side of your screen. Click on the link that says "Zoom," "Zoom Meetings," or something similar.
4. Find Your Meeting: You will now see the Zoom page for this course. By default, it will show a list under the "Upcoming Meetings" tab.
5. Join the Lesson: Find the correct lesson for the day and time. To the right of the meeting's name, click the blue "Join" button.
🚀 What Happens After You Click "Join"
If this is your first time using Zoom on this computer, your browser will prompt you to download and install the Zoom application.
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If you have Zoom installed: Your browser will show a pop-up asking for permission to "Open Zoom.us" or "Launch Application." Click "Open" or "Allow" to join the meeting.
If the browser keeps prompting you for more permissions, please select "Allow". You may need to grant the browser access to the mic and camera.
🔎 Other Ways to Find Your Zoom Lesson
If you can't find the "Zoom" link or your instructor uses a different method, here is where else to look.
Method 2: The Canvas Calendar
Your instructor may link the Zoom meeting to the course calendar.
In the global navigation menu (the dark bar on the far left of Canvas), click on "Calendar."
Look for your class meeting or event on the calendar for that day.
Click on the event. The details will pop up, often including the Zoom join link directly in the description.
Method 3: Course Announcements or Modules
Your instructor might post a unique link for each lesson.
Check Announcements: Click on the "Announcements" link in your course navigation. Your instructor may post a new announcement before each class with the link.
Check Modules: Click on "Modules." Your instructor may have organized the course week-by-week, with the Zoom link for that week's lesson included as its own item.
💡 Tips for Success
Check Your Time Zone: The first time you click the "Zoom" link in Canvas, it might ask you to confirm your time zone. Make sure it is set correctly to avoid confusion about meeting times.
Find Past Recordings: If you missed a class or want to review, click the "Panopto" link in your course menu and look for the specific day recording. If your instructor recorded the lesson and made it available, it will be listed there.
Arrive Early: Log in a few minutes before your class is scheduled to start. This gives you time to make sure your audio and video are working and to handle any unexpected computer updates.
❓Troubleshooting
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"I don't see the 'Join' button."
The button will typically only appear shortly before the meeting's scheduled start time. If it's too early, you may only see "Start" (if you are the host) or no button at all.
Double-check the date and time of the meeting (including AM/PM).
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"The Zoom link isn't working."
If a link from an announcement or module doesn't work, always check the "Zoom" section (Method 1) first. This is the most reliable source.
If it still doesn't work, contact your instructor immediately.
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"I can't hear anyone, or they can't hear me."
After joining, click the audio "Join with Computer Audio" button.
Look for the microphone icon in the bottom-left corner. If it has a red line through it, you are muted. Click it to unmute.
Click the small arrow (^) next to the microphone icon to make sure you have the correct speaker and microphone selected.
By following these steps, you'll be able to join your classes and participate with ease.