Blur your Background in Zoom

Reluctance of students to turn on their cameras can be challenging for instructors and students alike, and instructors may prefer not to show their office or home to students. As of Zoom version 5.5.0, it is possible for any participant (or host) to blur the background of their own video. You may need to update Zoom in order to use this feature. Blurring the background of a video could help provide a balance between more actively participating in class and respecting the privacy of people who are not comfortable showing their immediate environment to the rest of the group. 

Blurring the background can be done both before or during a meeting. 

Go to the settings menu. 

Go to “Background & Filters”. Then, again in Zoom version 5.5.0 and newer, “Blur” will be an option in “Virtual Backgrounds”. Once “Blur” is selected, the background is blurred and the image of the participant remains in focus. 

                                     

As Zoom continues to add new features, we will continue to create more Tips of the Day. If you have a question or an idea for a Tip of the Day, please let us know!