This guide explains how to take part in a session using the controls that appear in the meeting toolbar and side panels. It focuses on how to ask questions clearly and how to use your microphone, camera, chat, and hand raise in a way that works well for everyone.
What you'll see
Inside the session, you may see:
- Microphone
- Camera
- Raise hand
- Chat
- Participants
- reaction controls
- a broadcast message at the top if the host sends one
On your participant tile or other people's tiles, you may also notice:
- a raised hand indicator
- host labels
- microphone or camera status indicators
Steps
- Join the session and check your microphone and camera state in the toolbar.
- Keep your microphone muted when you are not speaking.
- Use Raise hand when you want to ask a spoken question.
- Wait for the host or speaker to bring attention to you.
- If you do not need to speak, use Chat to type your question instead.
- Use reactions when you only need to respond briefly.
- After speaking, mute your microphone again.
What this means in practice
The session gives you more than one way to take part. If you want to speak, Raise hand is the clearest signal. If the session is moving quickly or you do not want to interrupt, Chat is often the better option.
Your microphone and camera are under your control. You can turn them on or off from the toolbar whenever you need to, unless the host has temporarily muted you or turned off your camera for session management.
Limitations to know
- Hosts can mute you and can turn your camera off.
- Hosts cannot turn your microphone back on for you.
- Hosts cannot turn your camera back on for you.
- If your microphone or camera is turned off, you must choose to turn it back on yourself.
That privacy limit is important. If your microphone or camera is off, look at your own toolbar first.
Common mistakes
- Speaking before raising your hand when the session is already busy.
- Leaving your microphone on after asking a question.
- Ignoring the chat panel when the host is using it for instructions.
- Thinking the host can turn your microphone or camera back on for you.
If something isn't working
- If you cannot ask your question out loud, use Chat.
- If your microphone is not working, check the toolbar and try Retry device access or Open device settings if those prompts appear.
- If your connection is weak, turn off your camera and keep using Raise hand or Chat.
- If the host muted you or turned your camera off, use your own toolbar to turn it back on when appropriate.
