How to join online classes and meetings

St Paul's uses Google Meet for many online classes and meetings.  The information below is intended to help you join your first event.

If you are new to online gatherings or find technology difficult

The easiest way to join is from any phone.  You will be able to hear and speak, but you will not see other faces or any presentation.

• Dial the 10-digit phone number you are given.  It will probably not be 518 area code number so you may have to dial a 1 and you may have to pay long-distance charges, depending on your phone service.
• Wait for the answer 'Welcome to Google Meet'.
• Enter the PIN number that you are given, followed by the # sign.  Just enter the numbers, no spaces or dashes.
• While in the meeting use *6 to mute and unmute your microphone.  It is best to stay muted if you are not speaking, especially if you have background noise.  You can also mute-unmute your phone as you would during an ordinary call.
• To leave the event just hang up.

If you want to join from a computer

If you want to see the other smiling faces, and show your own, then you can join using the meeting link, which will look like https://meet.google.com/abc-defg-hij.  The abc-defg-hij string will be specific to the event you are joining.

• Google Meet works with Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari.  Explorer may work but is not recommended.
• See the screenshot below to get an idea of what you will see.  Note especially the location of the popup buttons to mute-unmute your microphone and turn your video camera on & off.  It is best to stay muted if you are not speaking, especially if you have background noise.
• If you have not previously used your computer to connect to an online meeting then you will probably have to fiddle with your microphone and speakers, so that you can hear and be heard.
  • You can choose the option to 'Join and use a phone for audio'.  You will see video on your computer but hear sound and speak thru your phone.
  • Call in (above) if you get frustrated.

If you want to join from a smartphone

To join from a smartphone click on the meeting link, which will look like https://meet.google.com/abc-defg-hij.  The abc-defg-hij string will be specific to the event you are joining.

• You will be asked to download the Google Meet App.
• You do not need to have a Google account.
• See the screenshot below to get an idea of what you will see.  Note especially the location of the popup buttons to mute-unmute your microphone and turn your video camera on & off. It is best to stay muted if you are not speaking, especially if you have background noise.
• Most people prefer the view in landscape orientation...at least try it and decide for yourself.

Good luck!

Everyone is getting better at joining online events, but it can still be a challenge.  Contact the Tech@SpaLutheran.org for guidance or to suggest improvements to this page.

What you will see if you connect by computer

What you will see if you join from a smartphone