In the past 12 months, Zoom has introduced several significant updates to enhance teaching, learning, and overall user experience. These updates cater to the evolving needs of the educational sector, emphasizing accessibility, user engagement, and seamless integration of AI technologies. Below is a summary of the notable feature updates from Zoom, aimed at bolstering the educational experience.
Enhanced Accessibility and Engagement
- Automated and Translated Captions Expansion: Zoom now supports additional languages for automated captions and translated captions, including Danish, Thai, and Welsh, enhancing accessibility for non-English speakers and facilitating more inclusive learning environments..
- Low or No Speaker Volume Notification: A new feature notifies participants if their speaker volume is low or muted, addressing audio issues promptly for uninterrupted learning.
- Active AI Notifier: To maintain transparency with users, an AI icon appears in meetings to indicate active AI Companion features, providing details on the AI tools in use and the data they’re utilizing.
Webinar and Event Enhancements
- Increased Webinar Capacity: Zoom Webinars now support up to 100,000 attendees, doubling the previous capacity, allowing for larger virtual classrooms and seminars.
- Across Hubs Calendar View: Users can switch between list and calendar views in the Events tab, improving the organization of events and meetings.
- Pre-assigned Breakout Rooms: Hosts can pre-assign attendees to breakout rooms before meeting sessions start, facilitating smoother transitions and group activities.
Asynchronous Communication and Collaboration
Zoom Clips: This feature enables users to record, edit, and share high-fidelity short-form video messages internally and externally, promoting asynchronous communication and reducing meeting dependency.
AI Integration and Whiteboard Enhancements
AI Companion for Whiteboard: The AI Companion now supports generating and organizing ideas on Zoom Whiteboard, tailored for higher education and healthcare customers. This initiative underscores Zoom’s commitment to integrating AI throughout its platform while ensuring customer content privacy.
User Experience and Interface Improvements
- Enhancements to Team Chat: New features include Activity Center Cards for emoji reactions and improved external labeling, fostering better engagement and clarity in communication.
- Meeting Features Updates: Notable updates include the removal of non-video panelists when sharing content to focus attention on shared materials and support for in-meeting chat on mobile web clients.
Administrative and Security Updates
- Zoom Scheduler: Administrators can enable Zoom Scheduler, allowing users to create and share availability slots for easier meeting scheduling.
- End-to-End Encryption for Zoom Mail: Admins now have the option to enable or disable end-to-end encryption for their Zoom Mail domain, enhancing privacy and security.
These updates reflect Zoom’s ongoing commitment to improving user experience, enhancing educational delivery, and ensuring a secure, accessible, and engaging platform for learners and educators alike. Through these features, Zoom continues to support a dynamic and inclusive educational landscape, adapting to the needs of its diverse user base.