Zoom as a Catalyst for Engaged Learning
As KPU adopts Zoom as its primary conferencing tool for teaching and learning, this is an opportune moment to reimagine it not merely as a communication platform, but as a dynamic pedagogical space. When intentionally designed, Zoom can catalyze engaged learning, bridge physical and digital boundaries, and support authentic human connections. The question isn’t whether Zoom can support teaching and learning; it’s how we can design synchronous experiences that spark curiosity, collaboration, and connection. This blog offers ideas to help you do just that.
Effective Zoom sessions start long before anyone clicks “Join.” Intentionality matters; every decision about interaction, pacing, and structure shapes engagement and connection. Educators who start by identifying what type of engagement aligns with their learning outcomes, whether it is collaborative problem solving, reflective discussion, or applied demonstration, can then match these goals with the right tools and approaches.
For example, when intentionally designed and facilitated breakout rooms can spark deeper peer collaboration; polls and chat offer inclusive ways for students to contribute; and the whiteboard and annotation tools can help learners co-create ideas in real time. With intentional facilitation, Zoom stops feeling like a substitute for the classroom and instead becomes the classroom or an extension of it.
At its core, engagement in Zoom is relational; and building connections requires more than simply turning on a camera. Saying hello by name, inviting quick check-ins, or encouraging chat responses and reactions can shift the tone of a session in impactful ways. Zoom’s accessibility features, such as captions and transcripts, further support inclusive design and bring Universal Design for Learning principles to life by offering multiple ways for learners to engage.
What possibilities might emerge when we stop seeing Zoom as just a meeting tool and start imagining it as a space for connection, creativity, and transformative learning? Join us and explore.
As we move away from BigBlueButton (BBB), which will be retired on April 24, 2026, we recognize that this transition comes with a natural learning curve, and we are available to support you.
How the Teaching & Learning Commons Can Support You
Zoom is now Integrated with Moodle!
Thanks to Moodle’s new Zoom integration, KPU instructors can now set up and manage their Zoom meetings directly from their course site, streamlining the workflow for synchronous teaching and allowing students to access sessions with a single click from Moodle, without needing separate Zoom logins or meeting IDs. Access the step-by-step instructions for scheduling Zoom sessions in Moodle.
Auto Captions in Zoom
Zoom’s auto captioning features support KPU’s commitment to creating accessible and inclusive learning environments, and we encourage instructors to enable captions in every synchronous session. To learn how to enable auto captions in Zoom, review the instructions.
Playtime with Zoom
To further support KPU educators, TL Commons is introducing Playtime with Zoom, an informal, hands-on space for experimentation and exploration.
The first two sessions will focus on helping those transitioning from BBB discover Zoom’s features in a supportive environment. Beginning in 2026, Playtime with Zoom will continue as a casual drop-in series designed to foster collegiality and creativity, whether you’re testing a new breakout format, integrating interactive polls, or refining strategies for engagement. Each session will be co-facilitated by Teaching & Learning Strategists and Learning Technology Analysts, ensuring participants can ask questions, practice new skills, and build confidence in teaching synchronously with Zoom.
Find session details, including, the dates and times, and the Zoom link in the TL Commons Zoom transition support resource.
Designing Intentional Zoom Sessions
The TL Commons team has spent the past few months exploring new and evolving Zoom features, testing what works best for teaching and learning at KPU, and shaping practical supports and resources to help the KPU community feel ready for this transition. Bringing this launch to life has been a collective effort, and we’re excited to share what we’ve learned.
Intentional design in Zoom is key to creating synchronous sessions that are engaging, inclusive, and aligned with your teaching and learning goals. The Planning Zoom Sessions for Instruction article offers recommendations for planning effective Zoom classes, group sessions, and office hours.
We also offer a Planning Zoom Sessions for Student Group Work companion resource that focuses on planning zoom sessions where students collaborate on their own working in groups on projects discussing course concepts or preparing presentations without the instructor present it highlights practical design considerations to help you create structure support and purpose in the student-led spaces. Giving students space to work together without the instructor present allows students to take greater responsibility for their learning, encourages teamwork, and cultivates collaborative skills that they will need to rely on beyond the classroom.
Explore Common Zoom Features
If you would like support with the technical side of zoom you can access the TL Commons Zoom features how-to guide covering step-by-step instructions for each option.
Connect in-Person
If you would prefer to explore intentional Zoom design in a more personal context, you are invited to connect with a Teaching & Learning strategist for a one-on-one consultation. Whether you are new to the platform or seeking to refine your approach, our team can help you design synchronous learning experiences that inspire connection, creativity, and engagement.
To learn more about KPU’s Zoom installation, visit the Zoom transition Share Point site or to schedule a consultation, please contact the KPU Teaching & Learning Commons at tlcommons@kpu.ca.
Lisa Gedak
As one of KPU's Teaching & Learning Strategists, Lisa supports KPU educators through various methods, including workshops and individual and group consultations. She is passionate about instructional design, the intersection of pedagogy and technology, and philosophical approaches supporting effective, engaging and inclusive online education. Lisa has her Master's in Learning and Technology (MALAT) and is currently doing doctoral studies in distance education at Athabasca University.
