Connecting your Webex Session to a UConn Room - Full Guide

This guide no longer applies to UConn rooms. Only follow this guide if it has been sent to you by a technician.

In these UConn Classrooms, you have the option of connecting to the built-in cameras and microphones so that they function as your laptop's webcam. The Meeting will run and function exactly the same from your laptop; you are simply using the room's system as your webcam and microphone.

Check out the new, abbreviated guide: Connecting your Webex Session to a UConn Room.

Things to Know

  • Connecting to a UConn Classroom's built-in cameras and microphones will disable your laptop's internal microphone and camera during the call.

  • Record your session as you normally would using the Record button at the bottom of your window on your computer.

  • If you plan on using Breakout Sessions, know that you will not be able to follow your students into the sessions while connected to the classroom system. You may quickly and easily disconnect from the classroom and reconnect when needed. Learn how to disconnect and reconnect: Webex in the Classroom - Disconnect and Reconnect.

  1. View the picture below to see examples of UConn's video-conferencing cameras. Continue with this procedure if you have these cameras in your classroom.

  2. Bring your laptop's power adapter so that you may plug your laptop into wall power to prevent inadvertent shutdowns.

  3. Do not plug the laptop into the classroom system with an HDMI cable or other video cable. The laptop should only have its power adapter plugged in.

  4. To get the room system ready for your meeting,

    1. Tap on the touch panel to wake it if the screen is black.

    2. Tap again to get past the white UCONN page.

    3. Click on the Video Conference source.

      video conferencing button on touch panel
    4. If your touch panel has a Webex button, do not tap on it. This feature will not be used.

      dial webex room button
  5. Once in Video Conference mode, the classroom system will be ready. To begin the Meeting on your laptop (not the classroom PC),

    1. Click on the join link.

    2. Alternatively, you can click Start in HuskyCT or in the Desktop App.
      Note: For more information about beginning a meeting, see Beginning a Webex Class.

  6. If you are using the smartphone app to run your class, complete the steps described in Hosting a Webex Meeting until you are instructed to return to this procedure. 

  7. When you reach the video preview screen, click Connect to video system in the upper-right corner.

  8. Click Search for or call a video system.
    Note: See the GIF in Step 13 for a visual walkthrough of the next four steps.

  9. Enter the address for the classroom's video system. You should enter this address using the following format: [building abbreviation][room number]@uconn.edu (see example below).

  10. Press [Enter] on your keyboard, or click on the search result to connect to the classroom system.

  11. Click Start Meeting. You must use the classroom's microphones.
    Note: Connecting to the classroom system will disable your laptop’s built-in camera and microphone in favor of the devices in the room.

    Picture of classroom microphones (click to expand):

  12. Wait for your Webex session to connect to the room. Once connected, your laptop will show Connected to Video System and you will see your profile picture or initials. You will also see the name of the session on the room display(s).

  13. Optional: If you would like to see the Meeting on your laptop's screen like you normally would,

    1. Click on the ellipsis button.

    2. Toggle the Show video on video system only switch off.

  14. Continue to run the Meeting as you normally would from your laptop. Although you are connected to the classroom, all the controls remain on your laptop.

  15. Optional: If your classroom touch panel has a Webex Room Commands button in the top-right corner. Press this button to access Webex-specific commands. If your touch panel does not have these buttons, continue on to the next section of this guide.

    1. Here you may Mute your Participants, Lock/Unlock the Meeting and Record the Meeting or stop the Recording. If you would like to change the Participant Layout, press the button until you arrive at your desired layout.

    2. All these functions may be accessed from your laptop as well.

Change Participant Layout 

By default, the displays in the room will show your students in Active Speaker view. To switch them to Grid View, use the Dial Pad on the touch panel. If you are not at the Dial Pad, press the Dial Pad button to return there.

Press 8 on the dial pad. You will see a small menu appear. Keep pressing 8 until you arrive at your desired layout. The Grid View or "Brady Bunch" is the fourth option.

Default - Stage View

Grid View

Default - Stage View

Grid View

Sharing Content

  1. You may share your laptop screen as you normally would. It will appear on the classroom displays as well as your students' screens.

    1. For more information about sharing content, see Sharing your Content in Webex

  2. You may also share one of the classroom devices, such as the WePresent or document camera.
    Do not plug your laptop into the classroom system; it should only have its power adapter connected to it.

    1. To share a classroom source, click on Share Presentation or Instructor Quick Setup.

    2. To stop sharing this source, click on Stop Presentation or Proctor Quick Setup.

    3. If you receive the message below on your laptop when sharing a classroom source, click No.