Zoom in your studies

Zoom is a digital tool that the university uses for remote/online teaching. Students at Södertörn University have their own Zoom accounts. This gives you the chance to create and participate in Zoom meetings.

Participating in Zoom meetings

Remember:

Signing on to zoom
signing in sso
  • Enter your SH-Account

Using Zoom for the first time

If you have not previously used Zoom, when you click on the Zoom link from your teacher you will be asked to install the Zoom client on your computer. The installation is simple and only takes a few seconds. Read more on Zoom's website External link..

Zoom client sign in
signing in sso

If you have a relatively new MacOS you may need to change a few extra settings, read more here: Using the Zoom Client and Zoom Rooms with macOS External link, opens in new window.

It is important to regularly update the Zoom client on your computer or mobile device. Zoom continually updates its functions, and you need the latest version to benefit from them.

To update the client on the computer:

  • Start the program
  • Click on your icon in the upper corner
  • Select “Check for Updates”

Update the Zoom app on a mobile device in the same way as you would other apps.

Read the guide to updating Zoom. External link.

Participate in Zoom meetings

Zoom allows you to participate in online lectures and seminars. You access them using a link from your teacher, either via email or your courseroom on SH-Studyweb.
Your teacher/course coordinator will tell you which course components will be held remotely and where to find the links.

Download the Zoom app to your mobile device

Install the Zoom app on your phone or tablet. As with your computer, when you log in using your mobile device you must use your SH-Account – not a private one.

To log in with your SH-Account, first click on Sign in with SSO and then enter your SH-Account + password. If you need to provide a company domain, write sh-se

Explanation of icons in the Zoom window

This is a simple explanation of the icons in your Zoom window. External link.

While you are a student, your account includes unlimited meetings, so you can create your own meetings with your coursemates. Try it today!

Start your own Zoom meeting

You receive an account for the period you are studying at Södertörn University. When you log in, you have unlimited meeting time. Log in with your SH-Account.

Screenshot from Zoom
  • Add meeting header > time > length of meeting > uncheck the box for Require Password
  • Scroll down to change more settings > Save
screenshot from zoom
  • After you have saved your meeting, you can click on it (in your list of meetings) to access the link for inviting participants.
  • Invite people to the meeting > Copy link (circled) > share with others via email > start meeting (arrow to the right)

Screenshot from Zoom
  • Your participants do not need to log in, they just follow the link you send them.
  • They also need to accept a download or start a small add-in.

If you have a relatively new MacOS you may need to change a few extra settings, read more here. External link, opens in new window.

Things to think about when you create a Zoom meeting

  • Choose whether any of the participants can start the meeting, or just you (as host). Click “Enable join before host” if they can.
  • Want to control who can enter the meeting? Select “Enable waiting room”
  • To avoid unwanted visitors, do not spread the link to your meeting openly.

The tips below will help make Zoom meetings more accessible for you.

Individual accessibility settings

Did you know that the Zoom client allows individual accessibility settings? (link)

Audio environment

Reduce distracting noise by turning off your microphones and only turning on your microphone when you have something to say. Think about the sounds around you. Are there fans, or an open window, creating unnecessary background noise in the meeting? Your incoming sound will be better if you use an external microphone or headset rather than the computer’s microphone.

You can also change settings in the Zoom client to control how much the background noise should be reduced.

Lighting

Make sure you are sitting with even, good lighting so your face is clearly visible. This makes it easy to read your lips. Place the light source so you are facing the light. Bright light from behind you can shade your face and make it difficult to see.

Zoom ratio

Zoom allows you to control the size of the screen, to enlarge text or a presentation being shared in Zoom. Click on “View options”, which is shown at the top of the screen when someone is sharing their screen, then choose the desired size under Zoom Ratio.

Focus on a specific person (Pin)

Focus on a specific person using a “Pin” to focus on their picture during the meeting. Place your cursor over the person you want in full picture by clicking on the three dots on the person’s picture and select “Pin video”. You can mark a maximum of two at the same time. When you want to remove the focus marker, click on the three dots again and select “unpin video”. You are the only one who sees your Pin.

Move people around the screen

You can select the order in which people should be shown using “Gallery view”. Drag and drop their images in the order you want. It will not affect the order seen by any other participants.

Save chat

If you use the meeting chat to take notes, it may be a good idea to save them before you leave the meeting. This allows you to go back and read the comments and links shared during the meeting. To save the chat, click on the three dots in the lower right of the chat and choose “save chat”.

Keyboard navigation

Using these keyboard shortcuts allows you to navigate in Zoom using the keyboard.

Ctrl+Alt+Shift – show Zoom’s meeting controls

Alt+A – turn the microphone on and off

Alt+S – show screen sharing menu

Alt+T - pause or resume screen sharing

Alt+R – start recording

Alt+P – pause or resume recording

Alt+F – leave or open full screen mode

Alt+H – show or hide chat window

Alt+U – show or hide participant list

Alt+Y – raise or lower hand

Error messages when using Zoom?

Read the message carefully. If nothing else helps:

  • Restart your web browser
  • Restart your computer
  • Ensure you have a stable internet connection.

Zoom Marketplace for apps​

At present, we cannot offer any additional apps to your Zoom account that you have via Södertörn University.

If this still does not work and you get a “Server busy” error message

Many higher education institutions are converting to distance teaching, so there are lots of users who want to use the same “space” at the same time, which sometimes could makes things slow. If you receive the “Server busy” error message, it is because there are too many users trying to log in at once. Contact your teacher and try again a little later.