Zoom News 02-22-21 Automated Live Transcription
This week in Zoom news, we don’t have an official update from Zoom, but it does appear that Zoom during its most recent update to version (5.5.2) has enabled the long awaited feature of Live Transcription. There is now an option that allows hosts to enable transcription in their Zoom sessions. With this option enabled by the host, students are given the ability to view a live transcript of the zoom session.
Enabling Live Transcripts is available only to Hosts.
Full live Automated Transcripts from the session can viewed and are searchable during the session. This is helpful if a student needs to look back to review something discussed earlier in the session. The Full transcripts also separates the text by the user that made the comments.
Similar to transcripts on television, students can turn on live captions (if Host has made them available) and they are visible at the bottom of their screen.
One important thing to note is that these automated live transcripts are not entirely accurate and can vary depending on the clarity and volume of the speakers voice and background noise. It may not accurately represent lexicons and dialects specific to a geography or community. Although it is not an ADA compliant Closed Caption solution primarily because of the potential for inaccuracy, it does make it easier for students who may have trouble hearing the zoom session to be able to read what is being said on screen.
For information about enabling the Automated Live Transcription feature – Closed captioning and live transcription – Zoom Help Center
If you are in need of accurate Closed Captions of student facing materials to meet ADA compliance, please contact the Student Disability Services Office.
The full details of all updates are available on the Zoom Website. As always, be sure to keep your Zoom software up to date.
To update your Zoom Application, check out these directions- https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362233-Where-Do-I-Download-The-Latest-Version