Alternatives to Zoom
While Zoom is a relatively easy to use and fully capable video conferencing tool, there are some reasons to consider alternatives:
- Concerns about security in countries other than the United States
- Real-time closed-captioning
- Alternative features for teaching and learning
Below we list alternatives to Zoom currently available at Georgetown. These options, while capable of basic video conferencing, are not fully integrated into the Canvas ecosystem and may lack some of the features you have come to rely on in Zoom. Please be sure to test out the tools before adopting them in class.
Google Meet
The default video conferencing application in Google Apps is Google Meet. UIS has an excellent page dedicated to the features and limitations of Google Meet.
The simplest way to use Google Meet is to set up a calendar event in Google Calendar for you and your students. Instead of selecting Zoom as the video conferencing application, simply choose Google Meet. You can also share a Google Meet link with your students via email.
For more information, please visit UIS’s pages on Google Meet.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft has its own video conferencing application call Microsoft Teams. Unlike Google Meet or Zoom, Microsoft Teams needs to be provisioned for anyone who would like to use the application. Availability and support is limited at this time, but if you are interested in trying teams out, please contact UIS directly.
CNDLS Consultations
CNDLS is available for individual consultations. Please ‘ring our doorbell’ below and a CNDLS staff member will reach out to you within the hour.
University Information
- Georgetown’s Instructional Continuity Policy
- Georgetown’s current Operating Status and Definitions
- Emergency Operating Principles from Human Resources
- Preparing for Inclement Weather from the Office of Emergency Management
- Sign up to receive HOYAlert text notifications
- For information on office hours offered by CETS, UIS, and other partners, please see University Resources.
