Securing Your Digital Classroom on Zoom
When conducting the virtual classroom, it is important to make sure that you are prepared to handle possible class disruptions. Zoom-bombings as well as classroom infiltration from outsiders is a legitimate concern that needs to be on everyone’s mind when using Zoom.
Because students are not assigned individual Zoom accounts, and Zoom links can be accessed publicly by anyone, any Zoom classroom is exposed to potential outsiders or even other students who may want to be disruptive or intrusive.
This means everyone needs to be able to properly use the Waiting Room feature, and understand how to remove participants if they need to be removed.
Using a strong passcode, and changing it frequently is also a useful tool in protecting your virtual classroom.
Waiting Rooms
The Waiting Room feature was implemented by Zoom to allow a host to only permit users into the room after verifying their identity. It is the best way to prevent intruders from accessing your classroom.
As of September 27th, 2020 Zoom will be requiring advanced security on ALL Zoom rooms, including but not limited to using the Waiting Room Feature.
Here at The Prep, we have expedited this requirement both to be proactive, and in response to issues that occurred in classrooms where the feature was not being used.
How to Use Waiting Rooms
When a student joins your Zoom by following the link to your classroom, they will immediately be placed in a waiting room.
When students are in the waiting room, they will be unable to participate in the classroom. They will not be able to see or hear the instructor, or any other participants. They will also be unable to use the chat.
When a student is in the waiting room, you (the host) will be notified by a pop-up message at the top of your screen.
By pressing the ADMIT button, the student will be allowed to enter the classroom
You may also be able to view requests to join from the waiting room in the Participants pane.
By clicking on the Participants button, you will open the participant’s pane on the right side of your Zoom window, or in a pop-up window if you are already full screen.