For students going back to school during COVID-19, Google has expanded its Meet features to make remote learning easier.
Remote Learning on Google Meet
The Verge reports that Google Meet now allows 49 people to join a meeting through a bigger tiled view. Announced in June, this expanded tile view will launch in September. In April, Google Meet had first allowed only 16 people to join a meeting. This expansion brings Meet up to par with Zoom.
Google announces new tools to help with virtual education during the pandemic https://t.co/QSaIb90Ahm pic.twitter.com/2IYylQsZE4
— The Verge (@verge) August 12, 2020
Moreover, Google plans to import its digital whiteboard called Jamboard to Meet. For shy students, they can also blur or change their Meet backgrounds with the September update as well.
Remote Learning on G Suite Enterprise for Education
For customers of the G Suite Enterprise for Education plan, Google will also allow them to start breakout Meet rooms in October. Teachers could split up their class to more manageable small group discussions. Attendance-wise, teachers can track student presence on Meet with the October update.
Classroom Management on Google Meet
To help teachers manage their remote classes, Google has announced new moderation controls for Meet. With these controls, moderators can prevent people from joining meetings if they were already denied two times or got kicked out once.
The Google Meet September update will also allow teachers to end the meeting for all students at the same time. They will also be able to approve or reject bulk requests to join a class. Also, teachers can turn off in-meeting chats, limit student presenters in a class, and keep students from starting the Meet session before the teachers’ arrival.
Check out the full list of new updates Google has planned for remote learners here.