I am curious…

Fret not, Zoom to the rescue!

With this latest update, it will be easier to quickly direct participants to the right place, where they can happily engage with you. No more crickets! No more confusion!

CHECK OUT THE LATEST VIDEO!

Would you like to see Jan’s excited, smiling mug, as he waxes rhapsodic over the newly corralled emoji?  As a bonus, you’ll also enjoy screenshots of the old version vs. the new version, and get to “ride-along” as Jan installs the new update, in real-time. Yeeeeha!

HERE’S THE SCOOP

In the old version of Zoom, emojis were split up – with some residing under the Reactions button on the toolbar and the rest located in the Participants panel.

With this latest update, all of the emojis are now located together, under the Reactions button. Which makes it easier for participants to find and facilitators to see.

It’s essential to have nonverbal feedback buttons so EVERY participant has a way to engage and participate. Now, it’s MUCH easier to make sure that happens!

Yes – No  

The Yes and No emojis are great for getting nonverbal feedback. For example, you could ask if everyone understands an instruction and if some “No” responses pop up, you could ask those participants to type their clarification question in the Chat.

They’re also great for conducting impromptu polls since answers are tabulated automatically and everyone can see the results displayed on the Participants panel.

Slower – Faster  

The Faster and Slower emojis could be used for a fun game or activity.  For example, you could pretend to be a puppet, with all the participants acting as the puppet master.  Although, that would get pretty CRAZY and fast – whoa!

How would YOU use these buttons? Let us know in the comments below 

Raise Hand 

The Raise Hand emoji is now so much easier for participants to find, which is perhaps the most important change here. You no longer need to send them on a multi-step expedition, just to find the right button. Raising a hand should be quick and simple. Thank heavens, now it is! In addition, since this emoji now appears in the same spot as all of the others, it’s easier for you to see and respond in the timeliest of fashions.  It’s a win/win!

Hosts and co-hosts now have the ability to use the Raise Hand emoji, as well. You can demo what this emoji looks like and even screen share – no need to rely on your memory anymore.  One less thing to hold in the ole noggin’ is most welcome!

As before, all of the emojis pop up in the upper left hand of the screen and disappear after 10 seconds. Two exceptions to this rule: the Raise Hand emoji will remain until the Lower Hand emoji has been clicked, and the Yes and No emoji will remain until it is clicked again. There’s a catch though: only the Raise Hand OR the Yes – No emoji can be displayed at one time – choosing one will automatically replace the other. I guess Zoom didn’t want your screen to look too cluttered. (Now if they could only do something about the clutter in my office, doh!)

How to enable all Reactions and Emojis

If you don’t see the Reactions button on the bottom far right of your Zoom toolbar, remember to enable “Non-verbal feedback” AND “Meeting reactions” in the Settings on the Zoom WEBSITE, like this:

Reaction Skin Tone

While we’re talking about Zoom settings, you might as well skip over to “General Settings” in the Zoom APP (not the website) and PICK YOUR PREFERRED SKIN TONE! Wooohooooo!

Yes, that’s right – yet another exciting, albeit WAY overdue option.  It’s about time we didn’t ALL have to pretend to look the same. Nope, one hue just won’t do – Vive la difference!

Hey, where did the Coffee mug go? 

Once you’ve updated your Zoom app, you will also notice that on the Participants panel, Zoom has added a handy note on the bottom, directing people to the Reactions button on the toolbar, for the missing emojis.

“Thumbs down,” “Coffee mug,” and a few other emojis are no longer available.

Hearty thanks to Zoom for banishing the possibility of seeing the dreaded “thumbs down” pop up midstride, to totally knock you off your game. Eeeeg.

But, ummmm – without the “Coffee mug,” how will participants indicate when they need a break? Good thing we’re already including Bio breaks and addressing this at the beginning of our events. Right?  If not, you might want to start . . . right about now!

OR join the next Virtual Facilitator Training and get the Zoom Keepers Course as a FREE bonus!

Now, over to you . . .

Do you have any questions about the latest updates on Zoom and the Reactions button?

Or comments on creative ways you’ve used these emojis?

? PLEASE SHARE in the comments section below – we would LOVE to hear YOUR honest feedback and awesome ideas!