Tips for a successful hybrid meeting with Zoom

A student with a mask on checks her phone as she walks outside on UB's north campus.

Published November 2, 2021

By Kaylie Horowitz

Being back in the classroom has been a welcomed event for many students and staff at UB. However, when we all can’t be together for a class or meeting, hybrid models are still an effective way of keeping everyone connected.

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Author

UBIT Communications Assistant Kaylie Horowitz.

Kaylie Horowitz (she/they, UB graduate student) is in the Master’s program for Theatre and Performance Studies. Upon completion of her thesis, she hopes to attend an MFA program in directing and pursue a career of working and teaching at a regional theater. Originally hailing from Florida, Kaylie enjoys playing video games, voice acting, and over-analyzing animated media.

If you are using a hybrid model for your meetings (or teaching hybrid classes for that matter), here are a few tips to keep your meetings running smoothly and effectively.

Explore new classroom technology options at UB

Providing a high-quality experience for Zoom participants can make a world of difference. If you’re running hybrid meetings, see if now is the time to upgrade your microphone or camera quality.

If you're teaching hybrid classes, you should know that most UB classrooms have cutting-edge livestreaming and recording technology, and some have additional features, like dedicated chalkboard camera feeds and displays that let you show content from two sources at the same time in NSC 201 and 225.

Encourage collaboration

Keeping a sense of connectivity among hybrid groups can be challenging. That’s why it’s important that participants are collaborating with one another.

Even if this work happens asynchronously, finding ways to use familiar tools like UB Learns or Microsoft Teams can close the distance between those involved.

Consider the remote perspective

While things on campus might not feel different to those of us who are here physically every day, remote participants might notice those differences much more than you do. Consider how it might feel from their side of the screen; are they included, or just distant observers?

If you want to do more to bring the campus experience to remote members of the UB community, explore the UB Libraries' equipment loan catalogue, where you can find devices to help you capture and create content to engage your remote colleagues.

Provide strong facilitation

There’s no denying it; it’s trickier to manage a hybrid meeting than either an all remote or in-person gathering.

Still, as an instructor or meeting leader, trying to maintain a consistent level of attentiveness between attendees is critical. Ensure that your remote participants have plenty of room to join the conversation--if not through verbal participation, through Zoom's chat and other features for collaboration.

Keep accessibility in mind

It's always important to consider the accessibility needs of those both in-person and joining you remotely.

Find out how Zoom is built to be accessible by everyone. Make sure to check in with your participants before, and afterwards, to see if there is any additional support or materials they might need.

Get help with everything hybrid

If you're teaching hybrid classes--or classes of any kind--you can find support with course design and delivery at buffalo.edu/ubit/teachanywhere.

For more information about using Zoom at UB, visit buffalo.edu/ubit/zoom. To get help with Zoom, you can talk to Zoom's virtual assistant 24 hours a day.

For help with other technology at UB, contact the UBIT Help Center, online at buffalo.edu/ubit/help or by phone at 716-645-3542.