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Zoom [at the TU]

Online meetings in teaching

TU Darmstadt provides a campus licence for the web conferencing system “Zoom”. It can be used to conduct courses in a live online format instead of in person, or to complement traditional classroom teaching with online meetings – for example, for online office hours or international collaborations.

As an alternative to Zoom, the web conferencing system BigBlueButton (BBB) can also be used.

Information from the HRZ on the campus licence and data protection (opens in new tab)
Information for students on using Zoom
Information on conducting online meetings for hybrid teaching

In addition, the Zoom campus licence can be used for online meetings in the context of mobile working at TU Darmstadt.

Note: Use the correct email address to access the Zoom campus licence

To use the Zoom campus licence, you must sign in with your TU email address that corresponds to the primary email service (opens in new tab) at TU Darmstadt, i.e. <firstname>.<lastname>@tu-darmstadt.de.

Email addresses in the format <name>@<department>.tu-darmstadt.de are therefore not valid for using the Zoom campus licence.

The same applies to students, who must use their TU email address in the format <firstname>.<lastname>@stud.tu-darmstadt.de.

Tip: Using the Zoom client in the latest version

To host and participate in Zoom meetings, it is recommended to use the the Zoom-Client (desktop application) in its latest version! To do so, use the “Check for Updates” function within the client. – Please also remind your students to do the same!

In addition, Zoom can be used directly in the browser (preferably in Chrome, alternatively in Firefox). Apps for mobile devices (with limited functionality, mainly for participation) and browser plugins (for scheduling meetings) can also be used.

  • Computer / laptop (using the Zoom client or browser) or mobile device (using the app)
  • Stable internet connection
  • USB headset recommended (usually better than using built-in microphone/speakers)
  • USB webcam optional

Instructions on how to use these and other features can be found on Zoom's YouTube channel: Playlist “Getting Startet with Zoom” (opens in new tab), Playlist “Zoom Meetings” (opens in new tab)

  • Video conferencing including audio (dial-in via telephone also possible)
  • Chat (visible to all participants or via private chat room)
  • “Raise hand” function and other options for non-verbal feedback
  • Application & desktop sharing (“screen sharing”) to show, for example, software applications or presentations on your computer
  • Shared Whiteboard (for collaboratively developing content)
  • Comment function to allow participant interaction (e.g. prompting them to place comments/symbols on a prepared slide)
  • “Poll” function for conducting live votes (multiple and single choice questions possible)
  • Breakout rooms (Breakout sessions) for group work
  • Wating room to calmly prepare the meeting and, if needed, run short tests before allowing participants to join the meeting room
  • Streaming function
  • Recording of the online meeting and export as MP4 possible

Instructions for Using the Recording Feature

We recommend using this only as a backup when students are unable to attend the online meeting due to technical or organisational reasons.

  • The consent of all participants should be obtained for this!
  • We recommend converting the recording afterwards to a lower bitrate, as the default setting of 1.5 Mbit/sec is too high.
  • It should also be noted that the audio quality of the recording is not optimal at 50 kbit/sec.
  • Likewise, the video quality may be insufficient if the internet connection is not stable (resolution may sometimes be limited to 360p).

This tool is centrally provided by TU Darmstadt. For information on data protection, please refer to TU Darmstadt’s user guide on Zoom (opens in new tab) as well as the HRZ’s Zoom information website (opens in new tab).