Zoom meeting thoughts:
1. This will work with any reasonably new laptop with a browser, camera
and microphone. It would be best if you were to make sure your computer is
updated prior to trying this exercise as Murphy's Law dictates that when you
want to use it, Windows will decide it's time to update.
2. Positioning the computer with a window or light source to your back
will result in a silhouette of your face. It's best if you can have a
non-illuminated backdrop and some light reflecting off your face everyone
will appreciate your positioning. Also note that everyone will see your
background, so having your unmade bed behind you and your hair in curlers
may not be a good choice.
3. If you are sitting with your computer on the table at a typical
distance, the camera size will be about the width of your shoulders, perhaps
a bit more. So this will force your gestures to be done with face
primarily, though you can use your hands at your shoulder should you desire
that effect. This severely changes gestures and that's part of the fun of
learning this medium.
4. We do have the ability to share a screen and everyone on the call
will be able to clearly see that. So for example, the Grammarian should
have a Word document with the word of the day that is shared with definition
and example usage. They can then share that document and everyone can see.
a. It might not be a bad idea to have a pencil and paper to jot things
down during the meeting, like the Word of the day.
5. Screen sharing should be minimized for this exercise this week and
perhaps we put more emphasis on it next week?
6. Note your microphone is hot unless it's muted. So if your spouse
asks why you've run out of toilet paper during the meeting, you get to be
embarrassed in front of the club. It will be best that you're muted unless
you need to be speaking for the clarity of the meeting. That said, its up
to you to keep that under control.
I'm certain we'll all learn from this and maybe on the first meeting back in
the physical premises we conduct a lessons learned round table. (Robin,
didn't you need to conduct a Round Table assignment? Maybe this would fit
your needs.)
Once again, this is gonna be fun!
Dirk
