Setting up your desktop for presentations via Zoom

[Bart Worden]

I received some questions about ways to set up the windows on one's desktop when presenting or presiding as a Zoom host or co-host. Here's what my screen looked like last Sunday: 

• Far left was slideshow (with Google Slides* you can choose "Presenter View" which opens a full screen window that you can select when you share but doesn't interfere with your view as a presenter)
• Top middle was my script for the address (the presider had her own pre-prepared script) This placement encourages the presenter to look up to camera when reading.
• Bottom left was Chat window - we click on the ellipsis (three dots) and set the chat so participants are restricted to communication with the host
• Bottom middle is the Zoom main widow
• Bottom right is the participants 

*Google Slides is a free program that can take the place of Microsoft Powerpoint. Though is not as powerful or chock full of creative elements as Powerpoint, Slides does have the benefit of the "Presenter View" which makes it possible for the presenter to have an open window with the slide in Full Screen view for the participants while allowing the host to continue seeing their desktop windows.

[Jone Lewis]

I would add, Bart, that if you use 2 monitors, you can use Presenter View with PowerPoint in the main window, and see the slide, next slide, and your notes.  The slide by itself shows up in a window on the second monitor and can be shared from there.

If I have a word script (as for a talk) that also goes, as with yours, at the top under the camera.  With Microsoft Word I use web view (so no separate pages) and hide the ribbon so the words are close to the top of the window.