Make Online Learning Easy, Google Meet Adds New Features

JAKARTA - Over the last few years, video conferencing tools have become increasingly important. Especially in the midst of implementing new habits like today, technology is one of the media to stay connected with other human beings.

Today Google announced updates for several educational platforms. In addition to Google Classroom and introducing the re-branding of G Suite for Education into Google Workspace, Google Meet has also received several updates that promise teaching and learning activities to be more comfortable for teachers and students.

Google Meet Senior Product Manager, Jenifer Shen, said that the first priority of Google Meet is to ensure that meetings can run safely and smoothly.

"Last year, we launched several tools to support this (security, -red), including the Security Control feature which makes meetings only accessible to registered participants," said Jennifer in the Learning with Google 2021 event which took place virtually every day. this, Thursday, December 18th.

Jennifer explained that soon the teacher would be supported by a menu that could end the meeting simultaneously. Thus, preventing students from staying in the same room after the teacher ends the lesson.

In addition, Jennifer said that her party realizes how difficult it is for teachers to keep virtual classrooms conducive and awake. So, the teacher is also given an additional tool that can turn off the microphones of all participants.

"It will be launched in a few weeks. The mute all feature can help educators to keep the class awake and conducive, ”continued Jennifer.

The Google Meet application, which is opened via tablets and smartphones, both iOS and Android versions, will get more control. Starting from controlling who can join the meeting, using chat, to sharing the screen in the application.

Google also adds reactions in the form of emojis for accounts with Student status. Of course, this new feature will be under the supervision of the appointed teacher and admin.

In addition to adding new features, Google is also designing a new program so that Classroom and Meet can be used simultaneously. So, every meeting can be made from Classroom. Making online class sessions safer.

“When online classes are created from the Classroom by the teacher, students cannot join before the teacher enters the room. Meet can also distinguish between teacher and student accounts, based on data from Classroom. So, only registered teachers and classes can join, ”said Jennifer.

Jennifer ended the presentation by explaining that Google Meed has improved its performance for the Chromebook version. So, users who access via Chromebook can get better audio, video, and multitasking capabilities.