I use Zoom for online orientations and optional synchronous meetings for my online classes. By signing up for a basic account, you can have 40 minutes for your meeting, for 100 participants! You have a full suite of online meeting tools at your fingertips including the ability to record the meeting for later viewing for those who could not attend the Live Session! This is a super way to connect. Here are some ideas for use of Zoom:
1. Online meetings – save mileage and time by holding your meetings online.
2. Online classes – bring students at a distance together, or communicate with your class on a snow day!
3. Group work/Study groups – students can create their own Zoom account and invite classmates to collaborate.
3. Bring in a guest speaker to your classroom – other tools like Skype have been used for this for a long time, but with Zoom you can bring even more features.
4. Let students/participants backchannel, the ability to carry on a topic-related side conversation while presentation is being made or while others are talking.
5. Give students the chance to practice online presentation skills and be comfortable in the webinar world.
Sign up for the Zoom Basic Plan and see all of the features you command.