Chapter 13 Moderator Presenter Guest

Navigating & Zooming Slides

As a presenter, you can navigate through your slides, zoom into specific areas for all participants, and use a virtual pointer to highlight what you are talking about.

Changing Slides

Use the navigation controls below the presentation area to move between slides:

  • Click the left arrow to go to the previous slide.
  • Click the right arrow to go to the next slide.
  • If available, use the slide thumbnail overview to jump directly to a specific slide.

Keep your audience engaged by incorporating an interactive element every 10 to 15 minutes — such as a poll, a chat question, or a whiteboard activity.

Zooming In and Out

You can zoom into your slides to highlight details. All participants see the same zoomed view:

Use the + and – buttons below the presentation to zoom in and out.

Click the Fit to width button to adjust the slide to the width of the display area.

Click the Fullscreen button to make the slide fill the entire presentation area.

While zoomed in, use the Hand tool (Pan) in the whiteboard toolbar to move the visible section of the slide.

Using the Virtual Pointer

BigBlueButton includes a built-in virtual pointer (laser pointer) that helps you draw attention to specific elements on your slides:

  • Simply move your mouse slowly over the slide — all participants will see your cursor as a pointer.
  • No special tool needs to be activated. The normal mouse movement on the slide is visible to everyone.
  • This is useful for pointing out details without leaving permanent whiteboard annotations.

The virtual pointer is only controllable by the presenter. Participants see the pointer but cannot move it.

Use the pointer actively to bring visual movement into your presentation. This helps maintain audience focus and makes your explanations easier to follow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. When you zoom in or out, all participants see the exact same view. This ensures everyone follows along with the section you are highlighting.

Use the Hand tool (Pan) in the whiteboard toolbar. Click and drag to move the visible section of the slide while zoomed in.

Yes. When you move your mouse over the slide, all participants see it as a virtual laser pointer. No additional tool activation is required.

If the slide thumbnail navigation is available, you can click on any thumbnail to jump directly to that slide. Otherwise, use the arrow buttons to navigate sequentially.