Zoom in education

[PaulZoom]

Hi

 

Is there anyone wanting information on Zoom in education? I have just started a new role leading the engagement into UK schools.

 

I work for Zoom and responsible for UK K-12 (schools) I joined this group to see what help you need from Zoom as so many teachers are using our services.

 

Kind regards

Edited October 13, 2020 by elsiegee40

[DJ-1701]

To be fair, I think what a lot of us need is a reason to trust Zoom. Some of us don't use you due to all the data protection worries, some of us have been over ruled and still have grave concerns, a lot of us are still concerned with a lot of issues which Zoom was purported to have at the very beginning... including insecure handling of data and storage of details in China or other non EU data centres.

[PaulZoom]

I have access to lot of information and training so let me know what you all need and I will post the links. Thanks

[MatthewL]

Given the concerns around Zoom I think the moderators need to step in here, for all we know you could be anyone.

[Ditto]

An update on the current offering for schools would help. To what extent is it still free, what are the conditions of use? What are the costs vs benefits for schools/MATS if they go for the paid version.

[elsiegee40]

Thread locked while contact is made with OP

[Dos_Box]

Just to put your minds at rest, Paul does indeed work for Zoom.

 

ETA - The thread is now opened again.

Edited October 13, 2020 by Dos_Box

[Boredguy]

responsible for UK K-12 (schools)

 

Didn't know we had K-12 schools as that was a US designation.

However outside the security concerns that had been raised in March and April, the functionality included in the MS and Google platforms for synchronisation with our AD (and that fact it's free and ties in with our current infrastructure) ruled out even considering your offering for our entire MAT

[PaulZoom]

Zoom is temporarily removing the 40-minute time limit on free Basic accounts for primary and secondary schools affected by the Coronavirus. Sign in to see if your account has already been enabled. If not, click "Request Offer" below to request that your school be added.

https://zoom.us/education

The education plan that schools are rapidly moving to includes host up to 300 participants, Single Sign-On, Cloud Recording Transcripts, Managed Domains and Company Branding etc. I am not wanting to use this platform for commercial usage so wont go into pricing

[elsiegee40]

I am not wanting to use this platform for commercial usage so wont go into pricing

 

As you aren’t a sponsor, you’re not allowed to either... we have explained. So please don’t mention it again.

[synaesthesia]

The pertinent question here which hasn't been answered is how schools can trust your platform again after the previous issues regarding privacy.

[PaulZoom]

To be fair, I think what a lot of us need is a reason to trust Zoom. Some of us don't use you due to all the data protection worries, some of us have been over ruled and still have grave concerns, a lot of us are still concerned with a lot of issues which Zoom was purported to have at the very beginning... including insecure handling of data and storage of details in China or other non EU data centres.

 

I am happy to answer any questions you have about Zoom in education

[Zammo]

Almost all schools these days have either Office 365 or G Suite so will likely use Teams or Meet as their go to for meetings and remote teaching

[PaulZoom]

https://zoom.us/docs/doc/Comprehensive%20Guide%20to%20Educating%20Through%20Zoom.pdf

[dhicks]

what help you need from Zoom as so many teachers are using our services.

 

How well does Zoom integrate / work with the various other systems we use? We use GSuite, so we have account provision synced from our local directory server (Active Directory) or MIS, then Google Meet is neatly integrated into Google Classroom, so every Classroom can have its own Meet session. From an overall administration point of view, given the school's timetable data (i.e. a list of pupils, what classes they are in and what teachers teach them) we can automatically provision user accounts and match those up to online classrooms, complete with linked video conferencing rooms, with teachers and pupils assigned suitible user privalages (i.e. pupils can't create their own Meet sessions, teachers have control of various functions in Meet, non-pupils users can't just join sessions, etc).

 

For Zoom to be useful to us, it would need to be part of a whole-package solution, similar to Microsoft or Google's offerings. I guess that would mean integrations with various other providers - maybe a Dropbox / ClassDoJo / Zoom package deal.

[PaulZoom]

Happy to address any security questions? I simply want to help as I know so many schools are using the Zoom platform. I will try to come on here as often as possible. thanks

[mikeprice]

Almost all schools these days have either Office 365 or G Suite so will likely use Teams or Meet as their go to for meetings and remote teaching

 

Looking at other posts on other threads - I think that the important point is that staff in many schools SHOULD use Teams or Meet - because this links into the stuff they already have

 

but 'some people' still use Zoom anyway

 

Hence we (well not me as I'm retired) need to know what problems still exist and whether or not problems that we have heard of are (a) real and/or (b) are fixed

 

and - I suppose - whether or not it is legal to be using it (sounds like Yes at the moment) - and will continue to be so after the current problems have been sorted

e.g. if school bow to the demands of staff that like Zoom - we need to be able to inform SMT is this is going to cost money in the near(ish) future if they look like committing to a policy of using Zoom for everything - probably against the wishes of IT

[Zammo]

How well does Zoom integrate / work with the various other systems we use? We use GSuite, so we have account provision synced from our local directory server (Active Directory) or MIS, then Google Meet is neatly integrated into Google Classroom, so every Classroom can have its own Meet session. From an overall administration point of view, given the school's timetable data (i.e. a list of pupils, what classes they are in and what teachers teach them) we can automatically provision user accounts and match those up to online classrooms, complete with linked video conferencing rooms, with teachers and pupils assigned suitible user privalages (i.e. pupils can't create their own Meet sessions, teachers have control of various functions in Meet, non-pupils users can't just join sessions, etc).

 

For Zoom to be useful to us, it would need to be part of a whole-package solution, similar to Microsoft or Google's offerings. I guess that would mean integrations with various other providers - maybe a Dropbox / ClassDoJo / Zoom package deal.

This is correct. I'm sure schools will use zoom from time to time, but if it doesn't integrate with the other services in play its hard to see how it will become a major player.

 

Especially considering it will be an additional cost. Schools won't want to pay for zoom so long as they have access to Google and Microsoft tools for 'free'

[snagrat]

If you are the Paul I think you are then it may be helpful to give a bit of detail on your history with Education and why you are joining Zoom.

 

I imagine many people are just seeing you as a sales guy trying to flog Zoom.

[Garacesh]

Looking at other posts on other threads - I think that the important point is that staff in many schools SHOULD use Teams or Meet - because this links into the stuff they already have

 

but 'some people' still use Zoom anyway

This is basically it.

 

I mean no disrespect to your platform, but given that our school already provides staff with Office 365 and G Suite credentials. The majority of schools will have OVS agreements with Microsoft, which entitles them to Office 365. Google provides a limited G Suite free to educational establishments. Both of these platforms do so much more than Zoom does, whilst also completely covering what Zoom has to offer.

 

Both these platforms also employ considerable levels of auditing that allows us to monitor or, should the worst happen, investigate a breach.

 

Your functionality already exists with other services we have. Why should we give our user information to you?

Not to imply your security is lacking, but the more your details are out there, there's a higher inherent risk. Either more services that can potentially be breached and leak our user credentials (and we all know users reuse passwords, despite our pleas not to).. Or more services a user potentially could fall victim to from a phishing attack.

[Ditto]

Probably best to stick to one thread too - can look a bit to pushy otherwise. However, I think a few of us hear have gone in to opinions beyond your offer, which is to help those that do use Zoom or might want to. Hopefully both parties can stick to that part and leave the product battleground to elsewhere! By the way, to EduGeek, although the last post might suggest you are known to some of us... a bit of intrigue....

[MatthewL]

So your happy to answer any questions @PaulZoom but but your replies so far look like they are from a script. I think the reputation of Zoom with many on here is not great so why should people choose you over other options?

[PaulZoom]

Almost all schools these days have either Office 365 or G Suite so will likely use Teams or Meet as their go to for meetings and remote teaching

 

I came on EduGeek because I am seeing something different. We have so many schools using the Zoom platform especially for parent evenings, break out rooms, webinars, governors meeting etc. I am looking to offer whatever support I can.

 

Thanks.

[mikeprice]

I came on EduGeek because I am seeing something different. We have so many schools using the Zoom platform especially for parent evenings, break out rooms, webinars, governors meeting etc. I am looking to offer whatever support I can.

 

Thanks.

 

Maybe this could move forward if someone can specify specific problems with using Zoom

 

e.g. a specific security concern

 

a specific question - or problem - with a problem using Zoom

 

Then @PaulZoom can answer

 

naturally links would help - especially in the answer

 

 

Seems like there is little point in just "we use Google so why should we use Zoom" type messages

 

Although this may be true - there are enough messages on this forum suggesting some school IT people are having problems with people insisting on using Zoom

 

so if you have a problem with that - you need to know you are correct - and now someone with access to full information (??) is here to answer

 

which sounds like a good idea

[elsiegee40]

Threads merged and moved to more appropriate forum