Taking Attendance in Zoom

 

 

Almost all of us are using Zoom, but did you know you can use Zoom to take attendance? 

Checking attendance through Canvas

Note: This option is only available if you use the Canvas integration of Zoom.

To check attendance in Zoom meetings through Canvas:

1. Click on Zoom in the course navigation menu on the left-hand side of your course.  
2. Select the Previous Meetings tab. 
3. Find the meeting you want to take attendance for and then click Report on the right-hand side of your screen. 
4. View or download the attendance report.

Checking attendance through Zoom

1. Sign into your ESU Zoom account 
2. Select Reports from the navigation menu on the left.
3. Click Usage.
4. Find the meeting for which you are taking attendance.
   
5. Choose the blue, hyperlinked number under the Participants column.
6. View or export the meet's attendance report. 

And there you have it! You now have a record of all users who were in your meeting and can use it to assign attendance points.

Create Graphics Using Visme

 

As we move more content online, having clear, sharp graphics becomes of increasing importance. There are several different programs you can to create graphics, including the one use to make this blog post's (as well as the last one's) header: Visme.

Visme "is the world’s most versatile content creation tool, empowering individuals and leading brands to create and present compelling stories in the form of engaging presentations, infographics, documents, videos, graphics and everything in between." The program is free to use and is web-based; however, some features and artwork are part of Visme's Premium service and aren't available to basic account holders. I haven't found this to be an issue as there are so many options to choose from. 

You can sign up for your own free Visme account on their website and then choose the type of graphic you're wanting to make: a presentation, an infographic, document, printables, web graphics, or social media graphics. You can then choose one of Visme's free templates or select a blank template and then create your own using Visme's images or your own. 

After that, you're all set to play around, adding images, font, and other content. Give it a try! 

Using Google Meet for Videoconferencing in Canvas

 

About Google Meet

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Zoom has pretty well had the market cornered on videoconferencing technology. It integrated well with so many platforms that it became the default for online meetings. 

IT is proud to announce that there is a second option now for a videoconferencing platform both within and outside of Canvas called Google Meet. 

Google Meet was first released in 2017 and was an extension of Google Hangouts, billed as a videoconferencing app for up to 30 participants. Due to the pandemic, Google made several quick changes in early 2020 so that they could offer advanced capabilities to users. These capabilities include:

• Automatic Closed Captioning!
  
• Larger meetings of up to 250 participants per call
• Live streaming for up to 100,000 viewers within a domain
• The ability to record meetings and save them to Google Drive

They have extended these additional capabilities to all users through the end of September. Given the popularity of the product and the continuation of the pandemic, there is a chance that this benefit will be extended.

Why should you use Google Meet instead of Zoom? 

ESU students are already using the Google Suite applications for email, etc. They are frequently familiar with Google products. Also, Google Meet integrates with Canvas for a flawless experience for both instructors and students.  

Also, there is no time limit for meetings on Meet and everyone already has a "pro" account; no need to ask for an upgrade. Unlike Zoom, where we only have a set number of licenses, Meet licenses are unlimited. If the advanced capabilities are not extended after September 30th, Meet still allows for 60 minutes of videoconferencing vs. Zoom's 40 minute limit. 

Google Meet is also simpler and more user-friendly, with fewer settings that have to be manipulated without scrimping on features. Like Zoom, Google Meet allows users to share their screens, utilize breakout rooms, connect to conferencing equipment, and call in via a phone rather than a computer. 

How do I set up a Google Meet in Canvas?

Meet is already enabled in Canvas and adding a meeting to to an assignment or page is simple.  

Create an assignment or page in Canvas  

Select the Apps icon. 

 

Choose the Google Hangouts Meet option.

 

Then select which Google account you want to use. It will ask you if you want to give permissions to Google.

 

Once you allow the Meet LTI to work with your Google account, your meeting link is generated and automatically linked in the assignment or page. 

Let your students know when you will be meeting and then all you have to do is click the link to activate Google Meet and start your meeting.

We look forward to faculty and students trying out this new tool!