Zoom Essentials
Video conferencing
Zoom video conferencing provides meeting and webinar functionality that enhances learning and collaboration among students, faculty, staff, and research partners. Meetings can be recorded and automatically transcribed. In addition, Canvas, Blackboard, and Moodle integrations allow meetings/classes to be scheduled and opened directly within the Learning Management System.
All currently registered U of I students, faculty, and staff are entitled to a Zoom Education license.
Log in
Click here to log in to the service.
Read self-help guide
Read this Answers KnowledgeBase article to learn how to setup and use this service.
Service information
Read more on the Enterprise IT Service Catalog page.
How to use Zoom
Desktop client set up
- Launch the Zoom desktop client
- Select “Sign In” under “Join a Meeting”
- Select “Sign In with SSO” on the right menu
- Enter “illinois” for the company domain (illinois.zoom.us)
- Enter your NetID and Password
Mobile device set up
- Download Zoom Mobile App
- Select “Sign In” at the bottom
- Select “Sign In with SSO” at the bottom
- Enter “illinois” for the company domain (illinois.zoom.us)
- Enter your NetID and Password
Attend a Zoom meeting
When you attend a meeting, you are likely a participant. Most Zoom meetings created with a university account will require a secure login by default. However, some meetings are set up for public access without single-sign-on or university affiliation (more on that in the “Hosting” section below).
If your class has Zoom meetings set up for a course, you simply have to log into Canvas, Compass or Moodle and click into the course to find the Zoom link. However, if you need more help, try one of the following resources:
- Join a restricted meeting or webinar
- Join a class through Learning Management System (Canvas, Compass, Moodle)
Profiles and settings
You can manage your profile and settings through the web portal at illinois.zoom.us, desktop client or mobile app.
In the profile section:
- Edit your meeting/display name
- Upload a profile picture
- Set your preferred pronouns, and more
In the settings:
- Select your video and audio settings including virtual backgrounds and filters and speaker and mic volume
- Set screen share settings
- Adjust recording location, chat and captioning rules
- Select your reaction skin tone (ie. thumbs up), and more
If you want to test your internet connectivity, sound or video, or to check to see how your name shows up, Join a Test Meeting and try it all out!
Protect your meetings
IMPORTANT: Do not add your meeting ID, passcode or passcode encrypted link on the Illinois calendar, social media, or any other publicly viewable location.
There are various ways to protect your meeting. Some options are simple to set up when you schedule a meeting such as requiring a passcode, require registration, enable a waiting room, limit participiation.
Meeting scenarios
Think about who you need to invite to your meetings, and then follow these guidelines for how to set up and host your meeting.
Training opportunities
Zoom training tutorials are available and cover topics such as user and admin training, planning and hosting a webinar, and more. As licensed Zoom users, you are eligible to sign up for free training sessions directly from Zoom.