Optimize Distance Learning, Zoom Launches Focus Mode Feature

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JAKARTA - Video conferencing app Zoom has just launched a new feature dubbed Focus Mode. This feature allows students to focus while doing distance learning or PJJ in a virtual classroom.

Focus Mode will keep participants from viewing videos or sharing screens with each other, while the host will still be able to see everyone's webcams. This means that teachers can decide when students will be visible to others during virtual classes.

Reporting from Engadget, Friday 13 August, Focus Mode is available to be accessed by free and paid accounts. When Focus Mode is enabled, students in Zoom virtual classes cannot see other students. However, that doesn't mean students only see their teacher, they can still see videos of themselves as well as names and emoji reactions of other students attending class. They will also be able to hear other students when this feature is on.

This feature is useful for keeping students from disturbing each other during class, and can even be used in addition to PJJ, for example, during company meetings. To enable Focus Mode, users must have Zoom desktop version 5.7.3 on Windows or Mac. That means users can't activate the feature when holding a meeting via a mobile device. This feature is present when the new school year begins in various countries and because the COVID-19 pandemic is still happening.

It seems that virtual classrooms will persist for some time to come. So it's possible that Zoom is taking advantage of this moment to add features, to enhance the distance learning experience.