Zoom's Focus Mode is part of the new update that the popular video conferencing platform is rolling out, which seeks to lessen the distraction for students in a virtual classroom setting.
In this photo illustration a Zoom App logo is displayed on a smartphone on March 30, 2020 in Arlington, Virginia. - The Zoom video meeting and chat app has become the wildly popular host to millions of people working and studying from home during the coronavirus outbreak.
It is to note that academic learning remains primarily online as the world continues to face the wrath of the COVID-19 pandemic due to emerging mutations of the virus, like the notorious Delta variant.
As such, Zoom, which rose to fame as people were compelled to stay at the confines of their homes, never ceases to introduce features that improve the overall user experience.
Zoom's Focus Mode
As per 9to5Mac, one of the latest functions that Zoom is introducing is the new Focus Mode, which is meant for educators to keep their students focused on their online classes.
Previously, students, or any online meeting participant in general, face multiple distractions even if Zoom is the only app that they have opened. One of which involves seeing the video feed of other folks inside the video conference.
For instance, some students tend to play around to make their peers laugh while the teacher is lecturing. But, in some cases, unintentional actions still cause a distraction to the other participants.
Focus Mode: Lesser Distraction for Students
The new mode via Zoom answers those problems. It removes the video feed of screen shares of other participants other than the host. While the teacher still sees the webcam of the students.
The Verge noted that the Focus Mode is somehow similar to the function of the Webinar mode. However, the feature meant for students works sans the minimal control and complexity of the latter.
One good example is the feature that still allows the host to turn off the fewer distractions mode when the discussion time arises, wherein students are encouraged to interact or share their thoughts and queries.
On the other hand, the Webinar mode does not allow the same option, and it further requires a premium subscription. While the Focus Mode is available even for users who only own a free account on Zoom.
Zoom's Focus Mode release is timely as most districts in the United States are gearing up to open the new school year, and online classrooms are here to stay due to the unwavering threat of COVID -19.
Read Also: Zoom Hacking is on the Rise: Here's What You Need To Do To Be Secure
Does Focus Mode Work in Corporate Setting
Zoom specifically noted that the new Focus Mode is designed for the classroom setting, meant to be used by teachers and students.
However, the video teleconference platform clarified that the new feature works for accounts, groups, and individual users. Zoom added that Focus Mode could be enabled via the More button while a call is ongoing.
So, that said, even meetings in the corporate setting could freely use the Zoom anti-distraction feature.
Elsewhere, Zoom was forced to pay $85 million after it lied about its "end-to-end encryption."
Related Article: Zoom's Screen Sharing Feature Could Reveal Sensitive Information of its Users - Why You Should Worry About This?
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Written by Teejay Boris
