Instructions for using Zoom

Some ElderCollege courses are held online. For those, we use a program called Zoom, which allows you to see and hear the presenter - and other class participants - on your computer.

If you have a webcam, you may turn it on during classes, so that the presenter and others can see your face. (This is optional.) You will need a speaker on your computer in order to hear the presentation.

This page contains information on how to use Zoom.

Virtual video conference, online meeting with a many employees together. A young woman is communicating via video call with coworkers, a several webcam shot of people on the laptop screen

But first, a word about safety online...

Keeping You Secure when You Use Zoom

Zoom is used extensively by the Government of Canada, including Parliament and the Department of National Defence. ElderCollege considers Zoom a sufficiently secure platform for its use.

We have taken the following steps to ensure a safe online experience when taking our courses by Zoom or using our website to register:

  • We are using the Zoom Pro License that includes secure end to end encryption.
  • We restrict all of our Zoom classes to using servers in what are considered safe countries; these do not include China.
  • We do not put the links to classes or meetings on our web page or on social media.
  • We send the zoom invitations only to pre-registered participants or to committee members.
  • We do not allow participants to screen share.
  • In the the event that a disruptive person inadvertently joined a session, our hosts know how to remove any offenders and will not hesitate to do so.
  • To register for Zoom registrants are required to provide some personal information, including their email address. As a policy, Zoom has stated publicly that they will not share registrant's personal information with a third party.   

Keeping you Secure during Online Registration

The Sunshine Coast Elder College collects some private information, including telephone numbers and email addresses. The Society has a strict policy that none of that data will be shared with or provided to any third party.

The only information retained over a longer period is a database of email addresses. They are used solely for the purpose of distributing information related to Elder College, including notices and upcoming courses. Recipients of our newsletters always have the option to unsubscribe.

Since your registration information is stored in our website's database, we have taken the following precautions for privacy and data security.

  • Our own website is hosted by a Canadian company on a server located physically in Canada.
  • We use a secure SSL protocol, that's why our website address starts with https://

There are Two Options for Participating in a Zoom Session

Option 1

You can install the Zoom software application on your computer to participate in presentations. To do that you will need to register an account with Zoom; it is easy, and it is free.

Register for Free Zoom Account

Once you are registered, download the application on your computer and get signed in. We recommend you don't wait till the last minute before your first class to do this; download it ahead of time so you can get familiar with the application.

Download Zoom Application 

Option 2

You can join the session using a web browser, such as Chrome, Firefox or Safari. Here's how:

  1. You will receive an email invitation to the session the day before the session starts.
  2. When you are ready to join the session (up to 30 minutes prior to start time) you can do so by clicking the link in the invitation email and a dialogue box will come up.
  3. Click on the link in that box that says, Join from a browser. This will allow you to join without downloading the Zoom application software.

Zoom advises that the experience for the meeting using a browser is limited. Some ElderCollege participants have noted difficulties using the browser option with different browsers.

We recommend downloading the software (Option 1) as the best option.

Detailed Information on How to Use Zoom

The Sechelt Public Library has written up step by step instructions on how to use Zoom, including instructions for downloading and using the Zoom application and a link to Zoom instructional videos.