The rise of Zoom in the age of COVID has been undeniable, and for good reason. Although the video conferencing platform has been around since 2011, it was hardly a household name. But as workers set up at home and kids logged on for classes, Zoom became the darling of the tech world, connecting large groups of people simultaneously – and allowing us to get on with the business of living under extreme and unprecedented circumstances. With its sudden wave of popularity, the developers at Zoom have spent much of 2020 updating and improving the platform to better handle the overwhelming demand. These new Zoom features continue to evolve as user feedback has helped to create a platform which can aid in productivity and growth, even in the face of continued challenges.
Here are some of the newest changes announced by Zoom in September and October.
Support for the Hard of Hearing: Teachers and managers who utilize Zoom for large groups now have the capability to pin multiple speakers in place on the screen, instead of the screen shifting based upon who is speaking. This ability allows them to pin both their screen, and the screen of a sign language interpreter – providing deaf or hard of hearing participants with an easy method of keeping up with the conversation.
Going Around the Room: This multi-pinning capability allows the moderator to set up a “seating chart” which does not shift as the speaker changes. This permits them to “go around the room” asking a question or for feedback, without losing track of who has taken a turn. The tiles don’t shift even if someone new enters the virtual room. This feature also allows a teacher or moderator to place people in virtual groups and to see who they are working with.
Multiple Spotlights: The multi-spotlight feature allows a teacher or moderator to put three or four students in the “spotlight”, which enlarges their screens and allows all other participants to see them clearly. This is perfect for those looking to have groups give presentations together. The feature works for up to 9 participants.
Unmute with Consent: Currently, the teacher must ask for permission from a student (or student’s parent or guardian) to unmute them in order to participate. Once permission is given, the teacher has implicit permission to unmute that individual in any class that they moderate. Students (or guardians) can rescind permission at any time.
As our situation continues to evolve and people settle into new ways of learning, working and communicating, we can be sure that Zoom and other video platforms will continue to evolve and innovate right along with them. These Zoom new features will not be the last, as developers continue to rely on user feedback to create a more robust and efficient participant experience.
Of your small to medium sized business is struggling to adapt in the new normal, whether learning Zoom new features or figuring out the best VPN for your organization – call Alliance IT for assistance. We are here to help you navigate this uncharted territory, as well as to maximize growth and productivity . If you are located in the greater Sarasota or Bradenton area, call today.
