Accessing Zoom on a Chromebook
Students using a Chromebook, whether it is a personal device or District-provided device, are able to join CDLI classes in Zoom. Students simply need to install the “Zoom for Chrome – PWA” app from the Google Play Store. PWA refers to Progressive Web App and the “Zoom for Chrome – PWA” app allows for some of the same features on a Chromebook that are currently available on the Zoom desktop client or Zoom mobile app.
Note: The Zoom for Chrome PWA is separate from the Chrome OS app and is intended to replace it. Support for Chrome OS apps are being phased out across all operating systems by June 2022.
You can install the app by going to https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=us.zoom.pwa.twa and clicking on the Install button.
Students using Zoom for Chrome – PWA can:
- View a teacher’s screen and share their own (when enabled)
- Use non-verbal feedback, such as Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down
- Raise their hand to ask a question
- Chat with their teacher
- Join Breakout Rooms created by their teacher
It is important to note that students and other participants still will not have the Annotate option on shared screens (at this time).
Once the app is installed, just go to your Brightspace course, click the Zoom link and join the required session.
During each join process, you’ll be prompted about “Add Zoom to Chrome”. Simply click Join via the Zoom for Chrome PWA near the bottom of the screen. Please do not click “Install from Chrome Web Store” as this Chrome extension is being discontinued and replaced with the Zoom for Chrome PWA. Plus, it has very limited functionality when compared to the PWA version.
You may also be prompted about how to open links from pwa.zoom.us. Simply select Zoom from the Open With list, check off Remember my choice and click Open.
Click Allow when prompted for showing notifications from pwd.zoom.us
When Join Audio is clicked (so that you can hear and speak with your instructor), you will need confirm this by clicking Join Audio by Computer. This will need to be done each time you join a new session and click Join Audio.
You will need to click Allow in the pop-up pwa.zoom.us wants to use your microphone.
Similarly, you will need to click Allow in the pop-up pwa.zoom.us wants to use your camera.
That’s everything and you’re now ready to take part in your online class using Zoom on a Chromebook.