Using Live Captions in Zoom

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Last updated: Nov 30, 2023 by Scott Henry
3 min read

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Overview

Zoom supports live captioning (machine generated) during meetings and webinars. When the meeting host enable this feature- when in a meeting, webinar participants speaks, captions will appear. The machine-generated transcript can be saved as a local text file. 

Everything that a lecturer says is captured, recorded and streamed to the student in real time. A full transcript can also be available to students and teachers once it is enabled.

Points to Remember!

  • The host needs to enable this option every meeting- it is not a default option.
  • This feature is not considered an accommodation and does not replace any specific accommodations communicated by Disability Support Services. Students or faculty who have questions about specific accommodations are encouraged to contact Disability Support Services. 
  • Hosts should still return after the meeting is processed into Panopto and edit the video captions in Panopto for context and clarity.

Limitations:

  • The Live captioning is not available in Zoom Breakout rooms.

  • Limiting background noise may result in improved accuracy.

  • The only language available as of now is English.

  • Live captioning is not available in HIPAA-compliant Zoom


Using Live Captions in a Meeting

The feature has been enabled by default for all SPU Zoom hosts.  Additionally, there is an option that hosts can enable that allows participants to download the captions.  If you would like to adjust these settings, please go to https://spu.zoom.us and click on Settings.  You will see the controls that turn features like this on or off in the Meeting Settings (Advanced) section.

  1. To start Live Captioning, the meeting host will need to click on the Live Transcript button.

  2. A dialogue box will appear, click on Enable Auto-Transcription


  3. At this point meeting participants can click the closed captions button to view the captions.

How to save the transcript?

  • If the host has allowed you to save transcripts, you can click on the upward arrow next to the CC icon to expand the Live Transcript Option Menu.


  • In the option menu, click View Full Transcript.


  • In the transcript window, select Save transcript. The transcript file will be saved to the default Zoom folder in the computer.


  • To view the file location, click Show.

Need help with your Captions?

If your captions aren't working in your meeting or your students have difficulties with the captions, please reach out to the CIS HelpDesk at help@spu.edu or at 206-281-2982.

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