Changing your screen on a Zoom meeting primarily refers to altering the way you view participants, most commonly by switching between Active Speaker View and Gallery View.
Understanding Zoom's Participant Views
Zoom offers different ways to arrange participants on your screen, allowing you to optimize your view for various meeting scenarios.
- Active Speaker View: In this default view, the person currently speaking is prominently displayed in a large window, while other participants appear as smaller thumbnails at the top or side. This view is ideal for presentations or lectures where the focus is on one speaker.
- Gallery View: This view allows you to see up to 49 participants simultaneously in a grid layout, giving everyone equal visibility. It's perfect for interactive discussions, team meetings, or social gatherings where you want to see everyone's reactions.
Steps to Switch to Gallery View
To change from Active Speaker View to Gallery View and see all participants in a grid, follow these simple steps:
- Ensure Enough Participants: You can only switch to Gallery View if you have 2 or more participants in the meeting. If you are alone or only have one other person, Gallery View may not be an option or will look similar to Active Speaker View with just two people.
- Reveal Controls: If you do not see the Zoom meeting controls (like mute, video, chat, or view options), simply tap your screen (on a mobile device) or move your mouse (on a desktop) to make them appear.
- Tap to Switch: Locate and tap "Switch to Gallery View" in the upper-left corner of the Zoom window. On desktop, this option might also appear as a button like "View" with "Gallery" or "Speaker" options inside.
Once you tap this option, your screen will immediately switch, and you will see all available participants displayed in a grid, effectively entering Gallery View.
Why Change Your View?
Switching between views can significantly enhance your meeting experience:
- Improved Engagement: Gallery View allows you to see more participants, making group discussions feel more inclusive and dynamic.
- Better Non-Verbal Cues: Observing facial expressions and body language from multiple attendees can provide richer context during conversations.
- Facilitating Interaction: For brainstorms or collaborative sessions, Gallery View helps ensure everyone feels seen and can easily follow along with multiple speakers.
- Personal Preference: Some users simply prefer the uniform layout of Gallery View for most types of meetings.
Comparing Active Speaker vs. Gallery View
Here's a quick comparison to help you decide which view suits your current meeting needs:
Feature | Active Speaker View | Gallery View |
---|---|---|
Primary Focus | The person currently speaking | All participants in a grid |
Visibility | Large tile for speaker, small for others | Equal-sized tiles for up to 49 visible participants |
Best For | Presentations, lectures, webinars, Q&A sessions | Group discussions, team meetings, social calls |
Interaction | Direct focus on one speaker | Holistic view, promoting broader interaction |
Other Ways to "Change Your Screen" (Screen Sharing)
While changing participant views is a common interpretation of "changing the screen," another crucial aspect involves screen sharing. If you want to show content from your computer or device to others, you would use the screen sharing feature. This allows you to display:
- Your entire desktop or device screen.
- A specific application (e.g., PowerPoint, web browser).
- A portion of your screen.
- A digital whiteboard for real-time collaboration.
To initiate screen sharing, look for the "Share Screen" button (often green) in your Zoom meeting controls.
By understanding and utilizing these view and sharing options, you can effectively manage what you see and what others see during your Zoom meetings.