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We have often reported in our blog about the Zoom video conferencing software and its provision for RWTH Aachen University by the Center for Teaching and Learning Services (CLS). However, few people will know that the IT Center and the CLS are cooperating at this point to make logging into Zoom as easy as possible for users. Therefore, in this post, we want to give you a brief crash course on logging into Zoom.
Short overview: Zoom at RWTH Aachen University
In the wake of the Corona pandemic, Zoom has been offered at RWTH Aachen University by the CLS as video conferencing software as part of teaching since spring 2020. This gives the possibility to hold lectures, exercises and other courses without presence in different group sizes. In the meantime, the software is also used for the take-home exams, which will be held for the first time this winter semester, in order to still be able to conduct the exams without presence.
RWTH personal data in Zoom
In order to offer users at RWTH Aachen University the simplest possible use of Zoom with the highest possible security for their personal data, the IT Center and the CLS are cooperating in this area. This cooperation has resulted in the connection of Zoom to the Identity Management of the RWTH Aachen University, which enables users to log in to Zoom via RWTH Single Sign-On. This means that the personal data transmitted is protected by the same security mechanisms as for other RWTH Aachen University services (RWTHonline, RWTHmoodle, etc.).
When logging in, the data stored in the Identity Management are transmitted to the software. In addition to the name and affiliation with RWTH Aachen University, this also includes the person’s registered contact e-mail address. This is then also used as a recognition feature to identify the user the next time he/she logs in.
Caution when changing the contact e-mail address
However, this can also lead to problems. If the contact e-mail address is changed in the Selfservice, the person can no longer be identified when logging in and the use of Zoom is not possible. Therefore, we recommend that students do not change their contact e-mail address at this point, especially during the current exam period. If this does become necessary, please make sure that it is not done shortly before an upcoming exam. The change of the contact e-mail address must also be reported to the CLS via video@cls.rwth-aachen.de, so that the account can be adjusted and the login will work again afterwards.
Responsible for the content of this article is Anastasios Krikas.
