Registration

Our online conference day will utilize the Zoom web conferencing tool. To ensure a successful online experience, prepare ahead by setting up Zoom now. Separate Zoom links for each session will be provided for registered participants in our electronic program, Sched.

New to Zoom? Download the desktop client or application.

On a Laptop:

• Go to Zoom’s download page (or to your institution’s Zoom account page) and download the desktop client.

On a mobile device: 

• Search your app store for the Zoom app.

Customize your profile:

• Log in to your Zoom account and customize your profile.
  • Enter your complete name and institution to display on the screen when participating.
  • Include your pronouns in your display name.
  • Add a profile picture that displays when you have your camera off - this helps make the experience a little friendlier for the presenters and other participants.

Already using Zoom? Update your Zoom Client! 

If you already have Zoom downloaded, ensure you have the most recent version! New features are regularly being added to Zoom that will greatly enhance your experience in the virtual environment.

Tips for a Successful Conference Zoom Experience:

• Familiarize yourself with the Zoom tool ahead of time.
• Use “Side-by-Side: Speaker” or “Speaker View” so you can always see who is speaking. This can be toggled in the upper right-hand corner of the Zoom screen.
• Use a laptop or desktop instead of a mobile device for fullest engagement–consider a second monitor even if possible to help watch the chat as well as the presentation.
• Consider taking notes during sessions (on computer or written) to help you maintain focus.
• If you find you are struggling with freezing during sessions try these strategies to reduce the load on your Wi-Fi.
  • Turn off your camera when not speaking to minimize bandwidth.
  • Minimize the number of others in your house on the Internet.
  • Use a hardline (instead of Wi-Fi) whenever possible.

What is Sched? Sched will be the FTTC schedule and program electronic platform for both virtual conference days. Registered attendees should watch their email for an invitation and more details closer to the conference. You can also find more information about Sched on our Program page.

To see a preliminary version of the schedule check out our Conference Program page. Opportunities to customize your schedule will be available through Sched. The platform and full program will be available starting in July.

Fatigue from attending web conferences is a real thing. You have probably figured this out already if you are teaching classes with a web conferencing tool such as Zoom or if you have had days full of meetings. There are many strategies you can use to help mediate this exhausting effect.

Read this short article from the Harvard Review on How to Combat Zoom Fatigue. To learn more about why web conferences can be more exhausting than in-person meetings, see these articles from the Chronicle of Higher Education and National Geographic.

In addition to engagement within concurrent sessions, there are lots of other ways to engage and network with FTTC participants at the conference:

• Be sure to “check-in” in the Sched app so you can use the messaging and discussion tools within the application.
• Review the morning Welcome conference newsletter each day to learn more about opportunities to connect.
• Pop into the Registration and Support Zoom room where breakout rooms are available to connect with other participants (the Zoom link will be found on our conference email correspondence and will provide live support during online conference hours).
• Make arrangements with other participants to connect at any time during the conference.

Stuck on any of these steps? Feel free to reach out for help in any of the following ways:

• Prior to the conference, email fttc@umsl.edu.
• On conference day, join the Registration and Support Zoom room (the Zoom link will be found in our conference email correspondence and will provide live support during conference hours).