How can you get answers or responses from people if you can’t see them, and they don’t want to speak? Simple – use the Zoom Reactions!
I’ve noticed a new trend in Zoom meetings – switching off the camera. Being ‘always on’ with videos is tiring, it was nice when we couldn’t see each other, but now that isn’t the only option it takes energy!
What are they?
The reaction options are picture icons that participants in Zoom can display to share feelings and some thoughts.
No matter if your camera is on or off – reactions are visible.
Why use Zoom Reactions?
As more and more people get Zoom fatigue, and choose to switch off their cameras, you lose the visual/facial clues to how people are thinking/feeling.
Asking people to share a reaction can include everyone in the meeting – even if they are shy, don’t want or can’t unmute to speak.
They are a quick and easy way to get people to answer a simple question, and a great way to get attendees to interact with the session.
Enable the command in your account
First thing to check – using your online (web browser) Zoom account (dashboard), are the the reactions and non-verbal feedback enabled?
- Log into your account
- Click Settings from the menu on the left
- Scroll down to In Meeting (Basic)
- Non-verbal feedback and Meeting reactions should be blue on the toggle switches
That’s all done when it look like the image above.
Using them in a meeting
Note: I keep referring to them in a meeting because they are always there. However, for webinars it will depend on the setup used. Some may have them on screen, but many webinars have them switched off.
Important: While these options are a feature of Zoom, where exactly the option appears on your screen is defined by the version of Zoom that you have installed. Images have been taken with the current version 5.9.3.
With the desktop program
- Start or join a meeting
- Move your mouse to show the toolbar at the bottom of the screen
- Click the Reactions button.
- Select one of the options
With an application (e.g. iPad)
- Start or join a meeting
- Press the More button (top right-corner)
- Select one of the displayed options
Where can you see them on screen?
There are two options to see the reactions.
Video Area
Look in the top left corner of the video image, and you’ll see the icon, but they can be switched off by the host or the attendee.
Participants Pane
Alternatively, display the Participants Panel for the icon to be displayed next to each name.
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