READING FROM THE HEBREW BIBLE ON ZOOM VIDEO CONFERENCING PLATFORM

Zoom allows the host to record the entire session to be replayed anytime you wish to review the classes. 

I hope several people will be able to host the reading from the Hebrew Bible with people joining them. That way we can have several sessions throughout the week and anyone who wants to learn to read the Hebrew Bible can join the different groups.

Zoom is a video conferencing platform. It provides 40 minutes free hosting of a meeting which invited guests can join. You get to see the guests and your guests get to see you online. When you speak, all of them can hear. When they speak, you can also hear them clearly.

Unlike Webex, Zoom allows you to use more features like sharing a screen on your laptop for all to view. These features are also available free of charge. For example, when I host a meeting of Hebrew Bible reading, I share on the screen the text from my Accordance software. You will get to see the Hebrew text on your computer screen.

We can then read it together. Or, each of us take turn to read. After that, I click on the audio file after we finish reading one verse from Accordance. You get to hear the text read to you by a native Hebrew speaker.  What I hear and what I see on my laptop, you will also see or hear on your computer when I Share Screen with you.

Step 1: Go to zoom.us. Click on SIGN UP. IT'S FREE.
(a) Type in your email address.
(b) Go to your email Inbox and follow the instructions.
(c) Remember to keep your password so that you can use it later.
(d) You will receive an email sent to your email account. Follow the instructions on the email.

Sign up for Free

STEP 2: You can either choose to HOST A MEETING or JOIN A MEETING.

(a) Hosting a meeting means you will invite others to join your meeting. I suggest you click "with video on". This will allow others to see you instead of just seeing a screen on their PC.

b) You will see a screen like this. Now click on the black box which reads, "Click to invite participants." You will see an icon at the bottom that says "Copy URL". This is the link that you need to copy and paste onto an email or on whatsapp so that people can participate in your meeting using this link.

c) You can also SCHEDULE A MEETING and send people the invitation in advance. 

STEP 3: If you receive an URL link from someone who is hosting the meeting, you need to click on JOIN MEETING.

Key in the number and click to join the meeting. 

ENJOY YOURSELVES! Make the best use of technology to help you learn Biblical Hebrew as a community of students!

IMPORTANT: If you are participating in a video conferencing for the first time. Here are some guidelines for you:

(1) Do not dig your nose or do funny poses when the video camera is on.

(2) Make sure you are in a quiet corner of your home. People can hear your kids shouting unless you "mute" your microphone. Noise from a blowing fan can also "disrupt" the class. If you are following the class while driving, make sure that you "mute" your microphone. The host can also mute your microphone so that it will be distracting other people trying to listen in. If you are not speaking, please "mute" your microphone. This will cut off the distractions to the class.

(3) If Zoom or Webex allows you to click "Raise" or "Lower" your hand, make sure that after you have asked the question, "Lower" your hand. Otherwise, the teacher will think that you still want to ask a question.

(4) A few people can talk at the same time, but avoid doing so. Take turns to speak. This is general courtesy even when you are online.

You can also have breakout rooms on Zoom. This is similar to a class of 30 students going into smaller discussion groups to discuss before coming back into the classroom again.

You will be able to check out a lot of resources / tutorials on Zoom. Just go to Google and type the keywords, "Zoom Youtube."