PathwayConnect

New Missionary Orientation Guide

INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the large and growing family of missionaries serving BYU-Pathway Worldwide! This guide
will help you learn more about BYU-Pathway, your role as a service missionary, and the tools you will
use to communicate with and support BYU-Pathway students.
This guide is divided into seven lessons you will complete on your own. As you study these lessons,
you will meet periodically with a trainer to review what you have learned, ask questions, and get
hands-on practice. You may meet with your trainer once or multiple times depending on your needs. It
is very important that you review the lessons BEFORE meeting with your trainer.
Your trainer will let you know once your orientation is complete. At that point, you will be introduced to
your area leaders. These leaders will provide ongoing training on how to improve your service to your
students.

Note:
● BEFORE you review this guide, please complete steps outlined in the welcome email you
received from Missionary Support (missionary-pw@byupathway.org).
● Skip Lesson 6 if you will be facilitating an in-person gathering.

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

When you see these prompts, follow these instructions:

Watch Discuss Ponder Activity

Click on the link and Share thoughts with Individually ponder for Work individually on
watch the video. your trainer. a few minutes. the specified activity.

Instructions for missionary trainers will appear in purple boxes. For additional help with training
new missionaries, trainers should contact Elder and Sister Peterson.
CONTENTS
1.1 What is BYU-Pathway Worldwide?
Lesson 1 1.2 What is PathwayConnect?
BYU-Pathway
1.3 What comes after PathwayConnect?
Worldwide
1.4 What resources are available to students?

2.1 What is the purpose of the gathering?

2.2 What are the two types of gatherings?
Lesson 2 2.3 What is the gathering attendance policy?
PathwayConnect
2.4 Who will teach during the gathering?
Gatherings
2.5 What important documents will you use to prepare for the gathering?
2.6 How will you prepare to lead the first gathering?

Lesson 3 3.1 What is your role as a service missionary?

Your Role As A 3.2 How can you shepherd your students?
Service Missionary 3.3 How can you assist in finding potential students?

Lesson 4 4.1 What is your role in the gathering?

Facilitating the
4.2 How will you facilitate the gathering?
Gathering

Lesson 5 5.1 How will you use PATH?

PATH: Student 5.2 What tasks will you do in PATH?
Information System 5.3 How can you protect student information?

6.1 How will you use Zoom?

Lesson 6 6.2 What Zoom basics do you need to know?
Zoom Features 6.3 What Zoom features will you use during gatherings?
6.4 Practicing Using Zoom

Lesson 7 7.1 What training will you receive after orientation?

After Your
7.2 What resources are available to service missionaries?
Orientation

Trainers should complete all review sessions with new missionaries. Trainers may ask new
missionaries to complete the lessons in any order and may review more than one lesson during a
review session. Trainers should remember to begin each review session with a prayer.

Lesson 1 Review – BYU-Pathway Worldwide

Lesson 2 Review – PathwayConnect Gatherings
Lesson 3 Review – Your Role As A Service Missionary
Review Sessions Lesson 4 Review – Facilitating the Gathering
Lesson 5 Review – PATH: Student Information System
Lesson 6 Review – Zoom Features
Lesson 7 Review – After Your Orientation

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Lesson 1 – BYU-Pathway Worldwide
“It’s a miracle that we can say today that BYU-Pathway is a school in Zion, wherever Zion is.” (Elder
Kim B. Clark, “BYU-Pathway Worldwide: A School in Zion”)

1.1 WHAT IS BYU-PATHWAY WORLDWIDE?

BYU-Pathway Worldwide is not a typical higher education experience. Our focus is on the millions of
Church members and non-members who currently do not have a university degree. Many potential
BYU-Pathway students have avoided higher education due to cost, lack of confidence, or no access to
quality education. The image below highlights elements of BYU-Pathway that address these barriers.

Watch: What is BYU-Pathway Worldwide? (6:10 minutes)

1.2 WHAT IS PATHWAYCONNECT?

BYU-Pathway Worldwide provides access to spiritually based degrees completely online at an
affordable price.

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 1.2.1 Courses
PathwayConnect includes 3 academic courses, 3 religion or institute courses, and 1 certificate
course (shown in the image below). All courses count toward a bachelor’s degree.

You will most likely be assigned to work with a group of students who will be taking PC 101, the
first course of PathwayConnect. (Occasionally, a missionary will begin with a group who is taking
PC 102 or PC 103.)

1.2.2 Gatherings
In addition to online courses, students meet weekly (virtually or in-person). This is referred to as
the gathering. You will learn more about the PathwayConnect gathering in Lesson 2.

1.2.3 Tuition
PathwayConnect tuition is low!
● Tuition varies by country and is set to match the economic conditions of students.
● Tuition is charged per credit, and students take three to five credits per term.
● Students who continue to online certificates and degrees (discussed in the next section)
will keep their low tuition rate throughout their bachelor’s degree.
● Tuition is generally paid by debit or credit card or through PayPal. Students make
payments in the student portal.
For more information, see BYU-Pathway Handbook 2.4 and BYU-Pathway Tuition Page.

1.3 WHAT COMES AFTER PATHWAYCONNECT?

1.3.1 Certificates and Degrees

Students who earn a 3.0 or better in PathwayConnect and who obtain an ecclesiastical
endorsement can apply to earn online certificates and degrees. All certificates fall under six
degree programs:

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Watch: Certificates and Degrees (3:21 minutes)

1.3.2 Certificate-First Approach

Students working toward an associate or bachelor’s degree, start with earning a job-ready
certificate. A certificate is usually made up of five courses that can be completed in one year or
less. Certificates help students gain marketable skills and increase their income potential before
completing a bachelor’s degree.
The image below shows how students earn certificates that build into online degrees.

1.3.3 Applying Directly to Online Certificates and Degrees

Students may apply directly to online certificates and degrees, but these students pay a higher
per credit tuition rate and must meet additional admission requirements.
For most students, PathwayConnect is the recommended entry point to an online degree.
Students feel better prepared to begin university work, and they also carry over their
PathwayConnect tuition rate into their online degree program.
The image below shows a comparison between students who start with PathwayConnect and
students who apply directly to certificates and degrees.

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 For more information about this path to a degree, visit this webpage: Advanced Path.

Ponder: How would you explain BYU-Pathway Worldwide and its programs?

Record your thoughts.

1.4 WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP STUDENTS?

As a service missionary, you are part of a larger network of people who support students. The image
below explains the different roles and responsibilities within this network.

1.4.1 BYU Pathway Support

Your students have access to BYU-Pathway Support. A team of support personnel are ready to
help students with registration, tuition payments, and technical issues. Students can reach the
support center through email or chat using the link below.
● Website: byupathway.org/help/contact-us
● Email: support@byupathway.org
● Hours: Monday at 12:01 a.m. to Saturday at 11:59 p.m. (Mountain Time)
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 1.4.2 Mentors
All students in PC 101 are assigned a mentor during their first semester. Students will
receive an email from their mentor during the first week of the semester. Mentors help students
direct their own path and overcome challenges. They remind students of their purpose, connect
them to their power to succeed, and support them in creating a plan that will allow them to
succeed in PathwayConnect.

Mentoring is distinct from BYU-Pathway Support, Advising, and Tutoring. Mentors direct
students to those resources if they see that a different type of support is needed.

1.4.3 Online Instructors

Online instructors teach PathwayConnect courses to students and are available to answer
student questions about course content. Students complete 3 academic courses during
PathwayConnect. The students’ instructors change each semester, but service missionaries
generally stay with the same group of students throughout all 3 semesters of PathwayConnect.
You should avoid contacting a student’s instructor. Students need to resolve questions or
concerns with their instructor on their own in order to build self-reliance skills.

Ponder: How would you explain what resources are available to students?

Record your thoughts.

SUMMARY
In this lesson, you learned:
● BYU-Pathway provides low-cost, high-quality education.
● Students take foundational courses during PathwayConnect to prepare to earn job-ready
certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees.
● All courses are held online, and tuition rates vary by country.
● You are part of the Student Success Network, which includes BYU-Pathway Support, mentors,
and instructors, who all work together to help students be successful.

LESSON 1 REVIEW – BYU-Pathway Worldwide

Please come prepared to discuss the following questions with your trainer. You may also ask any
additional questions that you had as you reviewed this lesson.

Discuss: ● How would you explain BYU-Pathway Worldwide and its programs?
● How would you explain what resources are available to students?

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Lesson 2 – PathwayConnect Gatherings
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew
18:20)

2.1 WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE GATHERING?

During PathwayConnect, students meet together, in-person or virtually, to build meaningful
relationships, deepen learning, gain leadership skills, improve English abilities, and prepare for further
education. These weekly gatherings are an essential component of PathwayConnect.
During the gathering, students interact with each other in a setting where everyone teaches and learns
together. The Spirit may touch a student or students through the comments or testimony of another
student.

Watch: The Purpose of the Gathering (4:48 minutes)

Note: Gathering attendance is 20% of the student grade. The video above states an
incorrect percentage.

Ponder: What is the purpose of the gathering?

Record your thoughts.

2.2 WHAT ARE THE TWO TYPES OF GATHERINGS?

2.2.1 Academic Gatherings

Students gather once a week to participate in educational and leadership activities related to
their courses. Students come to gatherings having completed course readings and are ready to
actively participate in discussions and learning activities. Gatherings can be held at a Church
meetinghouse, an institute building, or virtually through online groups.

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 2.2.2 Religion Gatherings
All students have a gathering for their PathwayConnect courses. In the U.S. and Canada,
students age 31 and over enroll in an online religion class and have a one-hour gathering
hosted by the service missionaries just before or after the academic gathering. Religion
gatherings run similar to academic gatherings and have their own agendas.
● All students ages 18–30 take an institute class in place of a religion course. The institute
class is taught by an institute teacher.
● All students age 31 and over outside the U.S. and Canada are also recommended to
attend institute where available.

2.3 WHAT IS THE GATHERING ATTENDANCE POLICY?

2.3.1 Student Attendance

PathwayConnect students are expected to attend all gatherings during the semester.
Attendance is self-reported and is 20% of a student’s overall course grade. If students do not
attend the weekly gatherings, they will not be able to:
● Meet with peers
● Complete important assignments
● Teach one another
● Earn a full grade for attendance
Students should contact their instructor if they need to miss a gathering for any of the following
reasons:
● death in the family
● medical emergency
● the birth of a child
● other serious or unsafe situations
If students miss gatherings, it will impact their grades. The more gatherings students miss, the
more impact they will see on their grades. As guided by the Spirit, service missionaries may
choose to reach out to students who have missed several gatherings or who appear to be
falsely reporting their attendance.

For more information about student attendance, see BYU-Pathway Handbook 5.5.1.

2.3.2 Missionary Attendance

You are expected to attend all gatherings. You should schedule a substitute well in advance on
the rare occasion that you must be absent. You should not cancel the gathering if you are not
able to attend. Reach out to your area leader if you are having trouble finding a substitute.

● A current service missionary who has a PathwayConnect

Potential gathering at another time
Gathering
● A former BYU-Pathway student
Substitutes
● An institute instructor

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2.4 WHO WILL TEACH DURING THE GATHERING?
One of the most powerful principles of BYU-Pathway is that students learn by teaching one another.
Rather than using lecture methods used in many educational settings, PathwayConnect students are
asked to lead discussions and learning activities. A different student leads the gathering each week.
This strengthens their understanding of the lesson material and provides an opportunity for them to
learn how to teach.
For this reason, you will not teach lessons directly to students. Instead, you will support students as
they prepare to teach. You will monitor the students’ discussion to make sure that communication is
respectful and uplifting.

Note:
● Your participation in the gathering discussions should be minimal. You might be tempted to
answer a question that no one is answering, but it is important to give students time to ponder
and then respond.
● You may contribute to the discussion but should never cause the lead student to feel
unnecessary or embarrassed.
● As needed, you may provide language support if students are having a hard time expressing
themselves.

2.4.1 The Lead Student & The Observing Student

Leadership development is an essential part of a BYU-Pathway education. In PathwayConnect,
each student has the opportunity to develop valuable leadership skills.
Lead Student: In each course, students take turns serving as lead student at a gathering. The
lead student comes prepared to lead the assigned lesson. All students are expected to come to
the gathering prepared to contribute to class activities. The lead student should encourage all
students to participate.
Observing Student: Each week one student will serve as the observing student. The observing
student’s role is to provide feedback to the lead student and to learn in order to prepare to be
the lead student the following week.

2.4.2 Lead Student Feedback

Each week you and the observing student should fill out the Observation and Feedback Sheet
during the gathering. After the gathering, you will hold a brief meeting with the lead and
observing students. This time should be spent:
● Building up the lead student and increasing his or her confidence.
● Suggesting one way the lead student could improve, if prompted by the Spirit.
● Training the observing student to prepare to be the next lead student.
● Encouraging the observing student to use the Gathering Guide and the Gathering
Agenda in their preparation. (You will learn about these documents in the next section.)

Ponder: What is the role of the lead and observing students? Can you see yourself giving
responsibility to students for leading the discussion?

Record your thoughts.

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2.5 WHAT IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS WILL YOU USE TO PREPARE FOR
THE GATHERING?
There are important documents that you should be aware of. Click on the links and review each of the
resources in the table below.

Gathering This document outlines what to do before, during, and after a gathering as well
Procedures as tips on how to encourage students during the week.

This document contains valuable ideas to help students and missionaries make
Gathering Guide
the gathering a great experience.

Gathering Agendas have been created for each week of each academic course
and religion course.
● These agendas guide the lead student as they prepare for the gathering.
The lead student has some flexibility to modify Gathering Agendas, but
Gathering
he or she must make sure that all of the principles in a given lesson are
Agenda
discussed.
● Agenda items include quotes, stories, scriptures, and talks that relate to
the week's learning.
You will review the agenda for week 1 in an activity below.

Lead Student Use this sheet during your first gathering to have students sign up to be lead
Sign-Up Sheet student for future gatherings.

Observation & A tool to help you and the observing student provide feedback to the lead
Feedback Sheet student after the gathering is complete.

Course Preview the material that your students work on in their academic and religion
Previews courses each week.

Ponder: How would you explain each of the important documents and how they are used?

Record your thoughts.

2.6 HOW WILL YOU PREPARE TO LEAD YOUR FIRST GATHERING?

ACTIVITY:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You will lead the first gathering of the semester. In this activity, you will review the agenda for the first
gathering and prepare to lead the lesson for that gathering.

1. Click the following link to download the academic Gathering Agenda

you will use to lead the first gathering: PC 101 Week 1 Gathering
Review Academic
Agenda.
Gathering Agenda
2. Anyone leading a gathering should read the Gathering Guide.
3. Review the document and create a plan for leading the gathering.

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 4. Before the first gathering, you will select a student to be the lead
student during week 2. You will need to ask this student to be the
observing student for week 1. Be prayerful as you make this decision.
You may receive inspiration about who to ask during your visits with
new students. (You will learn about New Student Visits in Lesson 3.)

If you are serving in the U.S. or Canada and your students are age 31 and
over, you will also lead a gathering for their religion course.
1. Click the following link to access the religion gathering agenda: Lesson
1: What Think Ye of Christ.
Review Religion 2. Review the document and create a plan for leading the gathering.
Gathering Agenda 3. Before the first gathering, you will select a student to be the lead
student during week 2. You will need to ask this student to be the
observing student for week 1. Be prayerful as you make this decision.
You may receive inspiration about who to ask during your visits with
new students. (You will learn about New Student Visits in Lesson 3.)

Notes:
● Use this link to review the Gathering Agendas for all gatherings during the semester.
● The Week 1 Agenda recommends that you invite a former BYU-Pathway student to
participate in the first gathering. If you would like to do this, reach out to your Zone or District
Leader for help finding a former student.
● Any other resources that you need for your first gathering can be provided by your zone or
district leader.

Ponder: ● How would you describe your role during the first gathering?
● What is your plan for choosing the lead student for week 2?

Record your thoughts.

SUMMARY
In this lesson, you learned about:
● Two types of gatherings: one for academic courses and one for religion courses
● Expectations for missionary and student attendance at the gathering
● Allowing students to teach one another as they take turns leading the gathering
● Important documents needed to prepare for the gathering

LESSON 2 REVIEW – PathwayConnect Gatherings

Please come prepared to discuss the following questions with your trainer. You may also ask any
additional questions that you had as you reviewed this lesson.

Discuss: Gathering Basics

● What is the purpose of a gathering?

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 ● What is the role of the lead student and the observing student? Can you see
yourself giving responsibility to students for leading the discussion?
● How would you explain each of the important documents and how they are
used?
Leading the First Gathering
● How would you describe your role during the first gathering?
● What is your plan for choosing the lead student for week 2?

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Lesson 3 – Your Role As A Missionary
“When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God.” (Mosiah 2:17)

3.1 WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AS A SERVICE MISSIONARY?

Service missionaries play an important role in supporting PathwayConnect students around the world.
As you give Christlike service to students, you demonstrate the truthfulness of King Benjamin’s words:
“When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17).
You are called and set apart through priesthood keys. As such, you have access to the power of
heaven and should use that power to help your students.

As a missionary serving with BYU-Pathway you:

● Shepherd your students—Encourage and empower students to become disciples, leaders,
and capable learners.
● Promote BYU-Pathway to others—Work with local leaders, BYU-Pathway leaders, and other
missionaries to identify individuals who could be blessed by participating with BYU-Pathway.
● Facilitate weekly gatherings—Create a supportive environment in your PathwayConnect
gathering that invites the Holy Ghost. (You will learn about facilitating gatherings in Lesson 4.)

Watch: Missionary Responsibilities (35 seconds)

Ponder: How would you explain your role as a service missionary serving with BYU-Pathway?

Record your thoughts.

3.2 HOW CAN YOU SHEPHERD YOUR STUDENTS?

As a service missionary serving with BYU-Pathway, you represent the Savior and take on the
responsibility to watch over each one of your students. You encourage and empower your students to
become disciple leaders and capable learners. At BYU-Pathway Worldwide, this effort to support and
guide students is called shepherding. You should seek the guidance of the Spirit to find ways to
shepherd each student in your group.
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Ponder: What does shepherding mean to you?

Record your thoughts.

3.2.1 New Student Visits

One specific way that you will support your students is by visiting with them one on one. You
should visit with newly enrolled students prior to the first day of class.
● What is the purpose of New Student Visits? Welcome students, discuss their goals,
and make sure they have a basic understanding of PathwayConnect. Expect interesting
and faith-promoting discoveries.
● How long are New Student Visits? 10–15 minutes, but may be longer depending on
the needs of the student and the availability of the missionary.
● How do I contact my students? There are many ways to reach out to students
including email, text, phone, or WhatsApp. During your review session, your trainer will
tell you the best way to contact students in the area you will be serving. Remember, the
contact method you use is not as important as the quality of the visit. An important
purpose of New Student Visits is to allow you to get to know each student. If you begin to
build that relationship early, students may be more likely to reach out to you when they
have difficulties.
● How do you check for new students entering your group? Each day you should
check PATH, the student information system, to see if new students have been enrolled.
(You will learn more about PATH in Lesson 5.) You should make contact with new
students as soon as possible and schedule meetings in advance using email, text,
phone, or WhatsApp.
You will learn more about how to conduct New Student Visits in the activity below.

3.2.2 Conducting New Student Visits

ACTIVITY:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In this activity, you will learn how to conduct New Student Visits.

New Student Visits Review this document: New Student Visit Instructions.

Ponder: Why do you think New Student Visits are important?

Record your thoughts.

Note: For more information about how to do New Student Visits with students in virtual
gatherings, read: Conducting Virtual New Student Visits.

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3.3 HOW CAN YOU ASSIST IN FINDING POTENTIAL STUDENTS?
You will work with your area manager and local leaders when promoting BYU-Pathway and finding
students. You can do this important work by:
● Working with Welfare and Self-Reliance Services
● Using approved BYU-Pathway resources
● Following-up with potential students to answer questions

You will receive additional training on how to find potential BYU-Pathway students from your area
leaders.
Ponder: What do you understand about your role in finding potential BYU-Pathway students?

Record your thoughts.

SUMMARY
In this lesson, you learned:
● What it means to shepherd your students
● Why New Student Visits are important and how to conduct those visits
● How to find individuals who could be blessed by BYU-Pathway

LESSON 3 REVIEW – Your Role As A Service Missionary

Please come prepared to discuss the following questions with your trainer. You may also ask any
additional questions that you had as you reviewed this lesson.

Discuss: ● How would you explain your role as a service missionary serving with
BYU-Pathway?
● What does shepherding mean to you?
● Why are New Student Visits important?
● What do you understand about your role in finding potential BYU-Pathway
students?

Trainer: ● Your trainer can share tips about how to contact students to set up New
Student Visits in your area.

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Lesson 4 – Facilitating the Gathering
“And there was one day in every week that was set apart that they should gather themselves together
to teach… and to worship the Lord their God.” (Mosiah 18:25)

4.1 WHAT IS YOUR ROLE IN THE GATHERING?

The gathering is an essential part of PathwayConnect. Whether that gathering is an in-person meeting
at a Church building or a virtual meeting through the internet, students will feel the Spirit as they share
testimonies and build friendships with group members. As a missionary, you are there to help students
have the best possible gathering experience.

Watch: Preparing for the Gathering (3:06 minutes)

Conducting the Gathering (1:35 minutes)

4.2 HOW WILL YOU FACILITATE THE GATHERING?

ACTIVITY:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In this activity, you will read about best practices to follow before, during, and after a gathering. You will
also watch video examples of a virtual gathering.
Depending on which type of gathering you will lead, read one of the below articles:

In-Person
Read this article: Best Practices for Facilitating In-Person Gatherings.
Gatherings
.

Virtual
Read this article: Best Practices for Facilitating Virtual Gatherings. .

Gatherings

Ponder: ● How would you explain your role of facilitating the gathering?
● What impressions did you have from the gathering example videos?

Record your thoughts.

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SUMMARY
In this lesson, you learned:
● Best practices to follow during each part of the gathering
● What a gathering looks like

LESSON 4 REVIEW – Facilitating the Gathering

Please come prepared to discuss the following questions with your trainer. You may also ask any
additional questions that you had as you reviewed this lesson.

Discuss: ● How would you explain your role of facilitating the gathering?
● What impressions did you have from the gathering example videos?

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Lesson 5 – PATH: Student Information System
“Keep a record of this people… for it is for a wise purpose that they are kept.” (Alma 37:2).

5.1 HOW WILL YOU USE PATH?

The PATH student information system stores student registration data, academic progress, and other
information about your students.
PATH will help you identify warning signs such as:
● Academic struggles
● Lack of participation in online courses
● Financial issues that can prevent future registration
● No registration for continued studies in PathwayConnect
You should check PATH weekly to review your group information. Contact your students the moment
you notice any of the above warning signs. You will be trained on how to handle these situations by
your zone or district leader as part of your ongoing training

5.2 WHAT TASKS WILL YOU DO IN PATH?

ACTIVITY
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In this activity, you will review articles that will teach you how to navigate PATH to find your students’
information. As you review the instructions in the PATH articles, you may log in to PATH to practice
navigating the system.

Read the following articles:

● Logging in to PATH
Navigating PATH ● Using the PATH Search Feature
● Updating Personal Information in PATH
● Finding Your Location in PATH
● Overview of Location Details Page

Accessing Your As you prepare for your first gathering, your primary concern is to find out who
Student List your students are. Read the following article:

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 ● Accessing Your Student List

Looking Up Read these articles:

Student ● Monitoring Student Progress
Information ● Finding Student Information

Ponder: During your review session, you will demonstrate the following tasks for your trainer.
Please prepare to demonstrate these tasks and to ask any questions you have about
using PATH.
● Updating your personal information
● Finding your location information
● Accessing your student list
● Finding student information

Record your thoughts.

5.3 HOW CAN YOU PROTECT STUDENT INFORMATION?

It is important that we protect student information per U.S. government regulations (known as FERPA).
To comply with these regulations:
● Shred or properly dispose of any printed student information.
● Do not share student information, such as grades, with other students or missionaries.
● When you are logged in to PATH, do not leave your computer screen visible for others to see.

Ponder: How can you protect student information?

Record your thoughts.

SUMMARY
In this lesson, you learned how to:
● Navigate PATH
● Find a list of the students in your group
● Look up students’ information
● Keep student information safe
If you have questions about PATH, please have them ready to ask your trainer.

LESSON 5 REVIEW – PATH: Student Information System

Please come prepared to discuss the following questions with your trainer. You may also ask any
additional questions that you had as you reviewed this lesson.

Discuss: PATH Basics

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 ●The new missionary will demonstrate the following tasks. The trainer may give
assistance and answer questions.
○ Updating your personal information
○ Finding your location information
○ Accessing your student list
○ Finding student information
FERPA
● How can you protect student information?

Trainer: Your trainer will review the screenshots in the PATH guide if you don’t have students in
your group yet.

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Lesson 6 – Zoom Features
“We are now learning how to use a variety of methods, including technology, to invite people—in normal
and natural ways—to come and see, come and help, and come and belong.” (Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf,
“God Will Do Something Unimaginable")

Note: If you have already been trained to facilitate EnglishConnect gatherings, you do not need to
review this lesson.

6.1 HOW WILL YOU USE ZOOM?

Virtual gatherings are held using a video conferencing software called Zoom. It is a blessing to have
this wonderful technology available, and it is essential for you to become comfortable with Zoom
features as soon as possible.
Your skills will grow because the Spirit will accompany you in your training if you are prayerful and have
faith in your own abilities to learn.

6.2 WHAT ZOOM BASICS DO YOU NEED TO KNOW?

ACTIVITY
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In this activity, you will review sections of the Virtual Guide, a separate document that will teach you the
basics of how to use the Zoom video conferencing software. You will also learn about appropriate uses
for your Zoom account outside of conducting virtual gatherings.

Read and follow the instructions in these articles to learn the basics of Zoom:
Zoom Profile ● Signing in to Zoom
Set-up ● Updating Your Profile Settings
● Finding Your Zoom Room Information

Review these articles:

Using Your Zoom ● Zoom License Use Policy
Room ● Opening Your Zoom Room
● Inviting Someone to Your Room
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 ● Finding or Updating Your Host Key

How Students Review this article:

Access Your Room ● How Students Access Your Zoom Room

Ponder: During your review session, you will demonstrate the following tasks for your trainer.
Please prepare to demonstrate these tasks and to ask any questions you have about
using Zoom.
● Signing in to Zoom
● Updating your profile settings
● Finding your Zoom room information (PMI #, passcode-embedded link, host key)
● Opening your Zoom room

Record your thoughts.

6.3 WHAT ZOOM FEATURES WILL YOU USE DURING GATHERINGS?

ACTIVITY
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now that you’ve learned the basics, it is time to review important Zoom features essential for facilitating
the gathering. In this activity, you will review these Zoom features.

Zoom Features
Review this article: Zoom Features Overview.
Overview

Zoom has many features, but there are five that you will use the most during
gatherings. Review the following articles to learn about these five features:

Zoom Features 1. Viewing Options

In-Depth 2. Participants
3. Chat
4. Screensharing
5. Breakout Rooms

Ponder: During your review session, you will demonstrate how to use the following features for
your trainer. Please prepare to demonstrate these features and to ask any questions you
have about using Zoom.
● Viewing Options
● Breakout Rooms
● Screensharing
● Chat
● Participants

Record your thoughts.

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6.4 PRACTICING USING ZOOM
ACTIVITY: PRACTICE WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Practice the Zoom features that you learned about with family or friends. Invite 4–6 people to join your
Zoom room. Use the information in the table below to guide your practice.

Note: If you are unable to invite others to join your Zoom Room, you can practice using these
features with your trainer during your review session.

Viewing Options ● Practice switching between Gallery View and Speaker View.

● Practice making someone a host.

Participants
● Practice muting all participants.

● Practice sending a public message to everyone in your Zoom room.

Chat
● Practice sending a private chat message to one participant.

● Practice sharing your screen.

○ Practice sharing a video. (Remember to share your audio and
Screensharing optimize the video.)
○ Practice sharing a file from your computer (ex. a PowerPoint
presentation)

● Practice opening breakout rooms.

Breakout Rooms
● Practice broadcasting a message to all breakout rooms.

SUMMARY
After completing this lesson, you should be able to:
● adjust your profile and meetings settings to prepare for your first gathering
● open your Zoom room to start a meeting
● set a passcode for your Zoom room
● understand what Zoom features you will use during a gathering
If you have questions about Zoom features, please have them ready to ask your trainer.

LESSON 6 REVIEW – Zoom: Video Conferencing Software

Please come prepared to discuss the following questions with your trainer. You may also ask any
additional questions that you had as you reviewed this lesson.

Discuss: Zoom Basics

The new missionary will demonstrate the following tasks. The trainer may give
assistance and answer questions.
● Signing in to Zoom
● Updating your profile settings
● Finding your Zoom room information

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 ● Opening your Zoom room

Zoom Features
The new missionary will demonstrate the following features. The trainer may give
assistance and answer questions.
● Viewing Options
● Breakout Rooms
● Screensharing
● Chat
● Participants

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Lesson 7 – After Your Orientation
“Remember that this work is not yours and mine alone. It is the Lord’s work, and when we are on the
Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help. Remember that the Lord will shape the back to bear
the burden placed upon it.” (President Thomas S. Monson, “To Learn, to Do, to Be”)

7.1 WHAT TRAINING WILL YOU RECEIVE AFTER ORIENTATION?

Once your New Missionary Orientation is complete, you will receive an email that will introduce you to
your area coordination missionary (ACM) who will provide ongoing training. You will be assigned a zone
or district leader from your area who will be a resource and provide learning opportunities for you
throughout your service as a missionary.
You will study Missionary Guide 1 to help you learn more about your calling during the 14 weeks of your
students’ first course, PC101. There are two additional guides that you will study during your students’
second and third semesters in PathwayConnect.
Your zone or district leader will use the Missionary Guides and additional resources during training
meetings. You can find these guides on the Missionary Support Website under the heading Ongoing
Training.

7.2 WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO SERVICE MISSIONARIES?

Service missionaries have many resources available to them when they have questions. The image
below outlines these resources.

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7.2.1 Area Leaders
You will contact your zone or district leader when you have questions or encounter problems. An
area coordination missionary (ACM) works with zone or district leaders to provide services for
the most difficult situations or to provide current information for each area. Contact with ACMs
should only be initiated by zone or district leaders.
You will be introduced to your area leader at the end of your orientation.
The image below shows the structure of an area’s leadership. Please note that some areas may
not have district leaders.

7.2.2 Missionary Support

Missionary Support can help with the following topics:
● Missionary badge ordering
● Access to and support for PATH, Zoom, and other BYU-Pathway systems
● General technical support (computer, phone, software, etc.)

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 Only current and prospective missionaries should contact Missionary Support. Students who
contact Missionary Support will be redirected to BYU-Pathway Support.

How to Contact
● Phone: +1 (801) 353-1818
● Email: missionary-pw@byupathway.org
● Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain Time

7.2.3 Missionary Website

The Missionary Website will be an important resource for you during your missionary service.
Here you will find links to training documents, promotional materials, important dates, and other
information. Please complete the following activity to explore the website. It is critical that you
know where to find support resources and training materials.

Ponder: ● Where do you find service missionary resources?

● Who can you contact with questions after your orientation?

Record your thoughts.

ACTIVITY:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In this activity, you will review the Missionary Website.

1. Navigate to the Missionary Website:

Missionary http://missionary.pathwaysupport.org/
Website 2. Bookmark this website for future reference.
3. Watch: Missionary Website Overview (Coming soon)

SUMMARY
In this lesson, you learned about:
● Future training you’ll receive in your zone or district
● Resources available to you after orientation

LESSON 7 REVIEW – After Your Orientation

Please come prepared to discuss the following questions with your trainer. You may also ask any
additional questions that you had as you reviewed this lesson.

Discuss: ● Where do you find service missionary resources?

● Who can you contact with questions after your orientation?

Trainer: Your trainer will share their testimony about the impact of BYU-Pathway Worldwide.

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Common Terminology
It will be helpful for you to be familiar with some basic BYU-Pathway terms.

An area is a geographical area of the world that supports all BYU-Pathway

Area
activities within its boundaries. An area is administered by an area manager.

The area manager oversees all BYU-Pathway operations within a Church

Area Manager area. This includes overseeing all BYU-Pathway students and missionaries in
the area as well as ensuring that gatherings are running well.

Area An area coordination missionary (ACM) assists the area manager within an
Coordination area. ACMs train and support service missionaries. They may also appoint
Missionary missionary trainers.

Location is a term used in PATH to identify either groups of students meeting

Location in a physical place (i.e., a church building) or groups of students meeting
virtually.

Service Missionaries can reach out to Missionary Support with technical

Missionary
questions about PATH or Zoom.
Support
Phone: 801-353-1818 Email: missionary-pw@byupathway.org

Zoom software Zoom allows you to hold meetings online with groups and individuals.

Group/Student Types

Ages 18–30 group Students in this type of group are 18 to 30 years old.

Students in this type of group are age 31 and over. (In some cases larger
Age 31 and over
groups combining students ages 18–30 and students age 31 and over are
group
created to make better use of service missionary resources.)

In-person group In-person groups gather at a physical location.

An L Students is a PathwayConnect student that is a non-native English

speaker. These students complete listening and speaking assignments with
L Student an English-speaking discussion partner during a 30-minute weekly meeting
(outside of the weekly gathering). It is the student’s responsibility to find a
discussion partner each week.

Virtual groups hold gatherings on the Internet using video conferencing

Virtual group
software called Zoom.

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Student Tools

Canvas is the online system where students find course materials and submit
Canvas their assignments. You as a service missionary can preview PathwayConnect
courses through the Missionary Services Site or through this link.

Found in the Pathway Portal, students use this tool during PC 103 for creating a
Degree Planner
graduation timeline that maps out online certificates and degrees.

Students sign in to their portal at byupathway.org. In the portal, students access

Pathway Portal their gathering location or Zoom link, see financial information in order to make
payments, access academic course links, and see dates/deadlines.

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