Zoom is a video conferencing platform that allows users to host online meetings, participate in group messaging, and share video and audio content.
This page is intended for students. Instructors should review Zoom for Instructors.
Accessing Zoom
This tool is available to all Penn students under a University-wide license. Please note that the Perelman School of Medicine has a separate Zoom license. There are several ways to create your account and access Zoom, depending on whether you are accessing a meeting connected with a Canvas course.
Canvas course site
Using the Canvas integration to access Zoom meetings scheduled for class sessions is the best way to ensure you’re in the right place. To access a Zoom meeting from Canvas:
- Log in to Canvas.
- Click Courses and choose a specific course.
- Inside the course, click Zoom (or PSOM Zoom for Perelman School of Medicine courses) from the left side course navigation menu.
You can also access Zoom meeting links from individual events on the course calendar if your instructor has enabled it.
Web browser
You can join meetings or schedule your own meeting via the Penn Zoom website in any up-to-date web browser. Log in with your PennKey and password.
Desktop and mobile apps
Download the Zoom app for your desktop or mobile device, and log in with your PennKey credentials to access meetings on your computer, phone, or tablet.
If you experience Zoom account creation or functionality problems, please contact your IT support group for more information.
Class Recordings
Your instructors and TAs may record class sessions on Zoom for future viewing and study reference. Zoom will notify you when a session is being recorded.
If your instructor makes course Zoom meeting recordings available to students, you will find these sessions in the Class Recordings section of the Canvas course after the recording has finished processing.
Accessibility Features
Zoom has many features to enhance accessibility, including captioning and live transcription. For a complete list of Zoom’s accessibility features, including instructions on using keyboard controls and screen readers with Zoom, refer to Zoom’s Accessibility FAQ.
Additional Resources
Getting Help
Please contact your Local Support Provider or submit a request to canvas@pobox.upenn.edu.