Zoom has announced it is adding new features to its teleconferencing platform, designed to help teachers manage virtual classrooms. Many schools around the world in the wake of the Covid-19 lockdown have turned to the platform as a channel to reach students. Teachers have been using the platform to keep learning on and also some universities have been conducting their graduation on the platform.
The company via a blog post on Thursday said all features will be available on the free Zoom for Education plan.
As part of the new features, teachers now have more control over virtual classroom views. They will be able to customize their classroom’s gallery view to make it easier to find students and “go around the room” in order, and place a spotlight on a group of students who are presenting to the class.
The post also noted that teachers will now be able to selectively unmute student audio, so long as all parties opt-in. This could be helpful for younger students who may not know how to use the microphone, or music lessons where students are holding an instrument, the post noted.
In terms of increasing accessibility, teachers can “pin” up to nine students on-screen in their custom personal view, so those who use sign language will still be visible even if they aren’t triggered in speaker view. And students who are deaf or hard of hearing can pin both their teacher and translator on the screen at once.
For small-group work, students will be able to select a breakout room and move between rooms. And music teachers can go into Advanced Audio and select the option to enhance “original sound,” which will raise audio quality.
The new features will be available in August and September.
