Detailed instructions on Zoom features (breakout rooms, reactions, polls, chat, etc.) and how to use them effectively for instruction. Review this before camp to master Zoom tools, then reference during camp when planning interactive moments or troubleshooting technical issues.
Before You Join
Always use the latest version of Zoom to ensure access to all features described in this guide!
To check for updates:
- Sign in to the Zoom app installed on your computer.
- Click your profile picture, then click Check for Updates. If a newer version is available, Zoom will download and install it automatically.
To download manually:
Zoom Support
This resourse is a comprehensive reference guide to every Zoom feature used during KWK virtual camps. However, you may find it helpful to explore Zoom’s help center to further your understanding. Visit the site below to access their repository of support articles.
Zoom Controls Overview
Your Zoom controls can be primarily accessed via the menu bar that appears when you hover your cursor over the Zoom window during a meeting. All core features described in this guide are accessible from this bar.
Note: Your access to certain features, particularly Breakout Rooms and participant management, depends on whether you are the Host or a Co-Host in a given meeting. Hosts have the highest level of control, including the ability to assign co-hosts. Co-hosts can access most management features but cannot assign other co-hosts or reclaim the host role.
For information on how host and co-host roles are assigned at the start of each session, refer to the Zoom Manager Guide.
Video
The Video button on the controls bar allows you to change the camera selection, quickly blur your background, and manage all other video and effects settings.
Adding a Virtual Background
Click the small caret (^) next to Video in the Zoom menu bar, then select Video & Effects Settings.
- Click an image or video thumbnail to apply it as your virtual background.
- To upload your own image or video, click the + button and choose Upload image or Upload video. If prompted, click Download to install the virtual background package (required if you don't have a green screen).
Notes:
- Enable Mirror my video if your background contains text, so it appears correctly to others.
- Your selected background will persist across future meetings until you change it.
Managing Participants
Click Participants in the Zoom menu bar to open the panel. This panel displays everyone currently in the meeting and is your primary tool for monitoring and managing attendees.
What You Can Do from the Participants Panel
- See who is present in the meeting at any time.
- Mute or unmute participants by hovering over a participant's name and clicking Mute or Ask to Unmute.
- Prompt participants to start their video by hovering over a name, clicking More, and selecting Ask to Start Video.
- Monitor reactions and votes — tallies for Yes/No votes and a list of raised hands appear directly in this panel.
- Lower raised hands by hovering over a participant's name and clicking Lower Hand.
- Assign co-host permissions by hovering over a participant's name, clicking More, and selecting Make Co-Host. (Host only.)
Zoom Chat
Click Chat in the Zoom menu bar to open the chat panel.
Hosts and co-hosts can control who is able to send messages in the chat. To change permissions, click the three dots (…) at the bottom of the chat panel and select from the following options:
Setting | Effect |
No One | Disables chat for all participants. Hosts and co-hosts can still send messages. Useful for pausing chat before sending an important link. |
Host and co-hosts only | Only hosts and co-hosts can message everyone. Participants can still send private messages to the host. |
Everyone | All participants can send public messages visible to the whole group. Private messages to the host are still available. |
A Note on the Q&A Feature
Zoom also includes a Q&A button in the menu bar. This is a separate channel from the chat and is not recommended for use during sessions, as it creates an additional place for participants to route questions. Stick to the Zoom chat for whole-group questions.
Reactions
Click Reactions in the Zoom menu bar to open the reactions panel. Reactions are visible to the meeting host and co-hosts in the Participants panel.
Yes ✅ and No ❌
Participants click the green check mark to vote Yes or the red X to vote No. A running tally appears in the Participants panel. Unlike emoji reactions, Yes/No votes persist until the participant removes them. They do not disappear automatically. Participants are responsible for clearing their own votes.
Raise Hand 🖐️
Participants click Raise Hand to signal they would like to be called on. Raised hands appear in the Participants panel in the order they were raised. Hosts and co-hosts can lower a hand by hovering over the participant's name in the panel and clicking Lower Hand.
I'm Away ☕
Participants can use the I'm Away reaction (displayed as a coffee cup) to indicate they have briefly stepped away from their screen. This reaction is visible in the Participants panel.
Emoji Reactions 👏 👍 ❤️ 😂 😮 🎉
These reactions appear briefly on screen and are a lightweight way to add energy and interactivity to a session. They disappear automatically after a few seconds.
Recognize Hand Gestures (Apple Devices Only) ✌️
⚠️ Verify before use. Zoom updates supported gestures and compatible devices frequently. Confirm this feature works on your device and the current version of Zoom before using it in a session.
On supported Apple devices, Zoom can recognize physical hand gestures via your camera and translate them into on-screen reactions.
Sharing Content
Click Share (highlighted in green in the Zoom menu bar) to open the sharing menu.
Sharing your screen or a window:
- Under the Screens tab, select the window or screen you want to share.
- To present slides while viewing your speaker notes, use Presenter View in Google Slides before starting your share.
- Before sharing, ensure your browser bookmarks bar is hidden.
Sharing audio only (without your screen):
- Open the Advanced tab and select Computer Audio.
Important settings to check before sharing:
- Select Share sound if you plan to play music or audio from your computer.
- Select Optimize for video clip if you plan to share video content.
- Note: Only the person who is actively screen sharing can share their computer audio.
Layout Options
When screen sharing, layout controls appear on the right side of the Zoom menu bar. We recommend using Option 1, traditional screen share, where your video feed appears separately from the shared content.
Stopping or Pausing Your Shared Screen
Use the Stop Share or Pause Share buttons that appear in the Zoom menu bar while you are sharing. Pausing screen share on Zoom freezes the last image of your screen for attendees, allowing you to prepare another application, check notes, or move windows without revealing those actions. While paused, viewers see a static image with the message "(Username) has paused screen sharing".
"Stop Screen Share" on Zoom immediately ends the broadcasting of your screen, desktop, or application to other participants. It returns the view to the standard video gallery, ensuring participants can no longer see your device, desktop, or any files you were displaying.
Annotating on Screen
While screen sharing, click Annotate in the Zoom menu bar to access drawing and markup tools.
When selected, this will give you the option to make a variety of annotations on your screen. You might use this to call attention to a specific part of a code block, as in the example. Reference the table below for a full breakdown of the various annotation tools.
Tool | Description |
Mouse | Deactivates annotation tools and returns to your normal cursor. Blue when active. |
Select | Select, move, or resize annotations. (Available to the person who started the share only.) |
Text | Insert text on screen. |
Draw | Draw freehand lines, arrows, and shapes. |
Stamp | Insert predefined icons such as check marks or stars. |
Spotlight | Displays your cursor to all participants as a spotlight. (Available to the person who started the share only.) |
Arrow | Replaces your cursor with a named arrow. Each click replaces the previous arrow. |
Eraser | Click and drag to erase annotations. |
Format | Change color, line width, and font for annotation tools. |
Undo / Redo | Step backward or forward through your annotations. |
Clear | Delete all annotations at once. |
Save | Save the annotated screen as a PNG or PDF. |
Breakout Rooms
From the Zoom menu bar, click More…, then select Breakout Rooms.
- Enter the number of rooms you want to create.
- Choose an assignment method:
- Assign automatically — Zoom distributes participants evenly across rooms.
- Assign manually — You choose which participants go to which room.
- Let participants choose room — Participants select their own room once rooms are launched.
- Click Create. Rooms are created but do not launch automatically.
- To rename a room, hover over the room name and click Rename, enter the new name, and click Yes.
Breakout Room Settings
After creating rooms, click Options (Windows) or the gear icon (macOS) to configure the following:
Setting | Description |
Allow participants to choose room | Participants can move between rooms freely once launched. |
Allow participants to return to the main session at any time | If enabled, participants can leave their room on their own. If disabled, they must wait for the host or co-host to close rooms. |
Automatically move all assigned participants into breakout rooms | Participants are moved in automatically on launch. If unchecked, participants must click Join themselves. |
Automatically move participants to main meeting when breakouts close | Participants are returned immediately when rooms close, rather than receiving a 60-second warning. |
Auto close breakout rooms after () minutes | Rooms automatically end after a set duration. |
Set countdown timer | Participants see a countdown before being returned to the main room. A countdown of 30 seconds or less is recommended to minimize transition time. |
Managing Rooms During a Session
- To join a room as a host or co-host, hover over the room name and click Join.
- To send a message to all rooms, click Broadcast Message to All and type your message.
- To close all rooms, click Close All Rooms. Participants will receive a countdown before being returned to the main session.
For more detail, visit Zoom's breakout room support article.
Polls and Quizzes
From the Zoom menu bar, click More…, then select Polls/Quizzes.
- If no polls exist yet, click Create.
- To switch from a poll (no right answer) to a quiz (with a correct answer), click the ellipsis (…) at the bottom left of the creation window and toggle Make it a quiz.
- Click Untitled Poll to rename it.
- Click the arrow next to the question title to select a question type (multiple choice, short answer, etc.).
- For quizzes, click Please set answer, select the correct answer, and click Done.
- Optional additions:
- Click + Add Question to add more questions.
- Click the ellipsis (…) and select Settings to enable anonymous responses.
- Click the ellipsis (…) and select Preview to review before launching.
- Click Save to store the poll for use in this meeting.
- Click Launch when you are ready to run the poll or quiz.