Zoom - Using the Plugin vs LTI?

Zoom - Using the Plugin vs LTI?

by Susan Mangan -
Number of replies: 5
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Looking to have a discussion around pros and cons of continuing to use the plugin vs moving to LTI integration. The plugin looks to be still well supported. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Plugin vs LTI

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In reply to Susan Mangan

Re: Zoom - Using the Plugin vs LTI?

by Jonathan Champ -
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As the current plugin developer, we are maintaining it because it gives additional benefits beyond what the LTI can offer by more closely integrating with Moodle's core functionality. Whether you are pre-assigning breakout rooms using Moodle groups, automatically collecting participation reports, auto-linking to Zoom recordings, or scheduling Webinars instead of Meetings, we include functionality that real people need and not just what Zoom has decided to offer. Plus, if there's functionality that you need, you are in control of your destiny. A lot of organizations will suggest functionality and sometimes provide the code to accomplish it. Those conversation's happen on our GitHub repository.
Average of ratings: Useful (4)
In reply to Jonathan Champ

Re: Zoom - Using the Plugin vs LTI?

by Isabel Ashburner -
Hi Jonathan, is there anywhere I can find out more about the grading and attendance reporting of Zoom sessions within a course? I'm trying to advise on which way to integrate with Zoom, but it's hard to find information on the detailed functioning of either option.

many thanks in advance
In reply to Isabel Ashburner

Re: Zoom - Using the Plugin vs LTI?

by Jonathan Champ -
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Hi Isabel,

Sorry for the delay - we currently have two options for grading and attendance reporting. However, due to limitations in Zoom itself, any method has some level of inaccuracy. For a detailed discussion of the development process for the newer duration-based grading: https://github.com/ncstate-delta/moodle-mod_zoom/pull/477

In summary, one method is "attendance grading", so that when the student clicks to join the meeting from Moodle they get full credit for attending the meeting. The newer duration-based method gives percentage credit based on the duration of attendance. The newer method is complicated, because it relies heavily on the data that is available in Zoom and matching up the attendee information with the Moodle user information is not always exact, so manual editing may be needed in varying amounts depending on how the Zoom meetings and the Zoom plugin activities are configured.

Here is the grading method help text:
Choose the method to use when grading student participation.
Upon entry: the student receives full marks (max grade) when they click to join the meeting in Moodle.
Attendance duration: the student receives a score based on the percentage of their meeting attendance compared to the total meeting duration.
Notes regarding Attendance duration method:
- This method requires the display name to contain id or fullname.
- It is recommended to set the setting 'zoom | defaultjoinbeforehost' to (No) so the meeting duration is accurate.
- Some students who are already signed in to the Zoom client with details not matching those in Moodle must be graded manually after reviewing the meeting report.
In reply to Susan Mangan

Re: Zoom - Using the Plugin vs LTI?

by Isabel Ashburner -
Hi Susan, I've been searching for this exact question, so I was wondering how you got on? Did you implement one or the other?
In reply to Isabel Ashburner

Re: Zoom - Using the Plugin vs LTI?

by Susan Mangan -
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Hi Isabel,

We have been successfully using the Zoom plug-in for a few years now and are happy with it. We are currently on moodle v4.1.