Webex Updates – August 2024

Many of the options previously accessible only through the menu bar are now conveniently located within the meeting controls at the bottom of your window. For instance, you can now find Audio Settings in the Audio Options dropdown and Video Settings in the Video Options dropdown, making it easier to adjust these settings on the fly.

Panels in Webex have been updated for a more streamlined experience. Instead of opening on top of each other in the right-hand column, panels now open one at a time. If you prefer to view multiple panels simultaneously, you can easily pop them out into separate windows.

Webex meetings now support rich text in the chat, allowing you to share meeting agendas, notes, and other files directly within your conversations. You can enhance your meetings by sharing images, GIFs, and even organize discussions with threaded conversations, making it easier to keep track of different topics.

Webex meetings now feature persistent chat, meaning that any messages sent before a participant joins will remain visible when they enter. This update is particularly relevant when using your Webex Personal Meeting Room for hosting sessions.

Given that many instructors conduct one-on-one meetings with students in their Personal Meeting Rooms, we recommend taking the following steps to safeguard the privacy of your communications:

• Lock your meeting room during each session with a student to prevent others from entering unexpectedly.
• End the meeting after each session and relaunch the room before meeting with the next student. This will ensure that the chat is cleared and reset between sessions.

By following these practices, you can maintain a secure and private environment for all your student interactions.

You can now step away from a meeting without causing any interruptions using the Step Away feature. By selecting the "Step Away" button, both your audio and video will be muted, and a coffee cup icon will appear in their place to indicate your absence. When you're ready to return, simply click the "Back to Meeting" button to rejoin seamlessly.

While away:

All Webex Polling and Q&A features are now integrated with Slido, enhancing your ability to make presentations more interactive and engaging. For detailed guidance on using Slido, please refer to our Slido Overview article

In-Meeting messages are now available to the meeting host through the Meeting Recap in the Webex app. This update means you can revisit all the in-meeting chat messages even after your session has ended, making it easier to catch up on important discussions, follow up on questions, and review key points. With this addition, you’ll have a more comprehensive view of your meeting’s interactions and can ensure no valuable information is missed, even if you were busy presenting or moderating.