Zooming with a smile

Videoconferencing your best YOU in the Coronavirus moment.

zooming for a recent birthday celebration

Over the past week and a half, I, along with much of the world, have been moving from in person teaching teleconferencing, but I find that it is a little exhausting. (I know I’ve already said how sad it makes me.)

Oh, and by exhausting, I mean it feels like this.

Why? Well, part of it is that I’m not used to being on camera or having my attention focused on my students and my own image all the time. In fact, in life, I rely heavily on the fact that I don’t have to look at myself 24/7. So…

Here are some tips

Here are just a few tips for teleconferencing your best self.

Look at the camera, not at the window. Try to look sympathetic. Caring.

If the video is distracting, hide it.

I have the zoom window in a leetle box covered by my blue safety rectangle!

Occasionally check in with your image, but don’t obsess.

My hairs are constantly going out of place.

Watch your head position. You don’t want to get neck strain and Corona!

This is the ideal position if you are pretending to Zoom on a chairlift

Find a pleasant background for your chat, and a comfortable position.

Photo by Blaz Erzetic on Unsplash

Of course, backgrounds can be generated with a little Zoom magic:

Notice that Scott Rettberg also has his bubonic plague safety device.

There’s a little setting for that on Zoom, right here:

Choose the beach, outer space, or your own photos!

Avoid leaning in toward the camera.

If you have to pick your nose, mute your video.

See how useful my little blue privacy rectangle is!

Oh and since Zoom does not yet have filters (like Snapchat), maybe get a mask!

And in case you were wondering. I really only worry about the top half, which has led me to issue the #topsandbottomschallenge!

Okay, those are just the starter tips. I’ll try to teach a master class over Zoom soon! And to remember that we don’t take this too seriously, as student shared the following: