Zoom training checklist

 

You are probably very familiar with online video conferencing by now! The difference here is that we’ll be together on Zoom for 2 whole days. Issues that are bearable over a 30 minutes call between 5 friends or colleagues can become hugely problematic when recurring over days with up to 20 strangers from around the world. Here are the 10 issues we recommend you double-check well ahead of the training:

Practise the tech

  • 1. Download Zoom on your computer. Zoom on tablets or phones is less advised because the smaller screen makes it harder to read some slides, see the other participants, and contribute during the group exercises.

  • 2. Download Miro. We’ll use Zoom for the lectures, and we’ll also use Miro.com during the exercises. If you’re not familiar with Miro yet, do spend 5 minutes creating an account (free) and practising the main skills of zooming around in a board, and adding / editing a post-it comment.

  • 3. Get an ethernet cable. WiFi at home is great but it can fluctuate badly. To ensure a more consistent connection over 2 days, make sure you’re using an Ethernet cable to connect directly to your router. Less than $10 on Amazon.

Prepare the room

  • 4. Face the luminosity. Sit with the main source of light coming from the same angle as your computer screen, i.e. typically sit facing the window(s).

  • 5. Reduce the echo. Rooms with bare walls, big windows, high ceilings, etc, will create a lot of echo. Maybe choose a smaller room, and sit close to a wall (facing the light as per above) with soft furnishings hanging behind you (curtains, green screen, etc). 

  • 6. Sit comfortably. You will spend the best part of 2 days in that seat … It is worth moving a comfy armchair to your work table, and place your computer on the table. You’ll be sitting comfortably, with camera at eye level, and able to take notes.

On the day

  • 7. Close your emails & other apps that ping alert noises when open. You can also close any unnecessary programs to improve call connectivity and all round privacy. Put your mobile phone on silent, and place it well out of immediate reach – to eliminate temptations :-)

  • 8. Have earphones at hand. You will be able to attend most of the training without any earphones. However, earphones might be required during plenary chats, or to reduce echo. Wireless earphones (e.g. Apple AirPods or equivalent) are absolutely fine, and a pair of wired earphones (e.g. Apple Earpods or equivalent) could be useful for backup too.

  • 9. Be an engaged participant. The main setup for every participant on the day will be camera on, and mic off. You will of course turn on your mic to make one-off contributions or ask questions. At various points over the 2 days, we’ll also have group discussions with all mics on (and this is when the earphones might come handy).

  • 10. Don’t be the Grinch … On any video conference with many participants, there is always someone whose tech or room setup is sub-par and creates a problem for everybody else. Please don’t be that person ... Prepare & practise ahead of the day. Conversely, on the day, we’ll all be kind to each other & understanding of the realities of personal circumstances, and the vagaries of online video conferencing!