Zoom, a cloud-based service that allows users to record meetings and share resources. It is available from Cynap in the classroom or through your laptop or phone.
How to use Zoom in the Classroom
- See these instructions for Recording Your Lecture Using Zoom on Cynap.
- Printable PDF instructions on Recording Your Lecture Using Zoom on Cynap
- Using Zoom on the Classroom Supplied Computer – Some rooms on campus have supplied computers. These are Windows computers that can be used for PowerPoint, clickers, and other apps.
- Using Zoom in Your Classroom Without Cynap – If you wish to use Zoom on your laptop using your built-in microphone and camera, you can do that as well.
- Troubleshooting Cynap, Zoom, and Classroom – Sound
Learn More about Zoom
- Visit the OIT Zoom page
- View this online tutorial developed by OIT
- See this chart to see a comparison between Panopto, Zoom, and Canvas Studio to help you decide which tool is best for you.
- Visit Zoom’s Help Center for how-to video tutorials
Benefits to Using Zoom:
- Familiarity – many folks are used to using Zoom at home. The interface is similar in the classroom.
- Ability to have meetings. If you wish to have a live meeting with participants outside of the classroom, use Zoom
- Zoom Cloud recordings are currently sent automatically over to the Panopto system for editing and storage.
Additional Zoom Resources

Best Practices for Recording Your Face-to-Face Class
- Inform your students (multiple times if possible) that you will be recording your class for their later review.
- Add a statement in your syllabus*. (see example below)
- Put an announcement in your Canvas course and verbally make an announcement in class.
- Take steps to ensure recordings are only available to current class participants via Canvas.
- Consider recording only your lecture material and not class discussions or activities.
- Recordings from your face-to-face classroom should be posted to Panopto and the link shared in your Canvas course site.
- OIT currently has Panopto settings in place that support UT security guidelines. Please be aware that any content that UT faculty and staff create or post to Panopto should also follow FERPA guidelines related to release of such content to unauthorized individuals. Protecting data and confidential information contained in any videos posted is the responsibility of each content creator to ensure information is not improperly shared. Instructors and students alike should take care not to share FERPA protected information in video recordings to unauthorized individuals. If you need a refresher on the handling of FERPA protected information, please refer to the FERPA and Student Privacy page as well as the FERPA training provided on the K@TE platform.
*Example syllabus statement:
To allow for greater flexibility and provide additional opportunities to engage with course lectures, many of our class meetings will be recorded and posted to this course’s Canvas site for you to review at your convenience. Please be aware that you will not be on camera , but your voice might be recorded when participating in class, including asking questions. In accordance with the university’s privacy practices, recordings will only be made available to class participants. You are encouraged to not share FERPA protected information in class recordings.
(NOTE: Feel free to add any specific department of college information that needs to be shared.)