Location for Zoom class

[jerseyjay]

This semester one of my in-person classes got converted into a Zoom class.

In the past I have usually done Zoom classes from my apartment or my office. However, I would prefer not come into work for just an hour online class and, for various reasons, my apartment is not an optimal place to do a class at this time. (The class meets twice a week and one class meeting I would normally be at work anyway, so I will use my office computer, but I am not sure of the other.)

I am curious if anybody has any other suggestions for places to give a Zoom class? I have participated in Zoom meetings or classes taught by others from all kinds of places--the gym, a cafe, the library, in my car, the waiting room of a doctor's office--depending on how much I was expected to participated.

However, giving a Zoom class requires near constant participation with the camera turned on. I think it would not be appropriate to do this in a public place like a cafe, or quiet place like the library. I could do from my (parked) car with my cell phone, but somehow that seems dodgy.

I could do it outside in an area with WiFi, but in a month or two it will be too cold. Does anybody have any suggestions?

[Puget]

I would not try to do it from any of those places-- you really need someplace quiet and private. If your apartment won't work, I would bite the bullet and go to campus.

[mamselle]

Do you have a public library with closed study rooms that can be reserved for a couple of hours?

I've used those in the past...it works if they're quiet (not if they're on the children's floor, of course)

M.

[The Future]

A library with internet access would be an obvious consideration - I think.  What about going to a friend or family member's house - maybe in exchange, you can offer to walk their dog or feed their pet during your visit.  Some dogs go all day without a walk until their owners get home.  Good luck, hope you find a solution. 

[the_geneticist]

Why not go to campus on those days?  You can plan to do most of your emails, grading, prepping, etc. while you are there anyway.

I would not teach from your car or a gym or other distracting locations.  And you shouldn't be teaching from your phone! 

[AvidReader]

I second mamselle's library study room suggestion. Time of day might matter too--many appropriate places have quiet hours when having someone in a corner speaking quietly would not be an issue. If you'd like to use a cafe, maybe go chat to a manager about whether your time would be fine (maybe you could even reserve a table?) Or does your apartment building have a common space that is frequently unused? (Balcony, office, etc). Some hotels, especially if you are a member of the apppropriate loyalty program, might allow you to sit in their business centre if you are in a sort of midday spot (and especially if you are bringing your own laptop so that you aren't tying up their resources).

When I teach away from home, I prefer to have a wifi space that is near a second wifi space in case the first one crashes, e.g. a cafe near the library. If your phone will work as a hotspot you may not need this, but it's a consideration if you are using wifi that you can't control.

AR.

[Hegemony]

I would do what's necessary to make your apartment Zoom-ready. Nothing beats the convenience of Zooming from home.

[jerseyjay]

Thank you very much for the suggestions. They have been useful!

[artalot]

And remember that you can blur your background or use a virtual background in Zoom! You can also wear headphones with a mic to minimize any ambient noise in you apartment.

[mamselle]

Yes, I've been meaning to say this.

The blurred background works slightly better, I find, than a virtual one (my preference is the Duke Humphrey library, tee-hee) because the flame-like appearance and disappearance of my waving hands is lessened.

And I set up on the sofa in front of a north-facing window with double curtains behind me, so no clean-up needed, and no light spill to worry about; instead of a light ring there are two raking fixtures above and to each side as well, so cross-lighting and visibility are covered.

You could get a couple friends to run some test-Zooms, or just record and watch yourself, to check for shadows, distractions, etc.

But it's not hard, I doubt I'll ever go back.

M.

But it does reduce the worries

[clean]

In Covid Days I did it from home, but I found that internet speed was a problem for the time of day it was assigned.  I dont know why 4 pm was such a bad time, but it bogged way down and caused lots of problems.

I can still do them in my home office because i can take the plug out of my router and go directly to the computer.  I can sit either at a desk I have in there, or a more comfy, old, small Lazy Boy Chair.

However, this term, I go 'live' at 530 and I am using a conference room at work which is wired for such meetings, so IF there are any issues with connectivity it is not MY fault, but related with the university.  It isnt as convenient for me, but as I have all of the technology and assistance I need there, it is a better experience for the students, and after all, that is the important thing - What is best for them, not what is more convenient for me/us!