Page 28 - April 2020
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FIELD NOTES
to lose them when someone’s mic is no Are they networking well?
longer muted. Does their image freeze or lag? If
• Network connection speeds matter (after 2 yes, then a good suggestion might
all these years of disliking networking…) be “Check your network settings
• Background noise is more disruptive or wifi strength because there was
than in a regular meeting. lag in the video” (caveat emptor:
• Pin the Timekeeper! (if you are the be aware that your signal strength
speaker) could be downgrading the image for you alone).
• And much more. The house I just moved into has wifi dead spots.
So . . . thought experiment time. Let’s say If I tried to do Zoom from those spots then
you are supposed to evaluate someone who is my signal would probably lag and become
giving a speech on Zoom, a video conferencing matrix chatter (that’s what I call video / audio
platform. What do you evaluate? stuttering over networks). If their video is fine
Good question, I’ve spent some time but their audio lags, then suggest they call in
thinking this one over. I’d love to hear what to the meeting on their cell phone and pin it
you think. Send me an email at wantzjames@ to their video feed. This usually eliminates
gmail.com) audio chop.
Here are three suggestions—this is not a
definitive list—there are other points to make Go big or go home!
in future articles: (Though you are probably already
1 What I see or don’t see is crucial. If have the dynamic highs and lows of face-to-
Visual presentation is everything!! 3 at home.) If the speaker’s affect and
tone sound flat to you, it is because
they are!! No, that is not a rude thing
to say —video flattens affect and
I cannot see the speaker (too dim
tone. Normal speaking tones don’t
foreground or too bright background),
I need to tell them. Suggest a strong
front light so their face can be seen
person. Digital signal transmission flattens for
and a contrasting background. Also, if face conversation or listening to a speaker in
their background is more interesting than their packet efficiency— so yes, people don’t sound
talk—I would suggest a less fancy background as dynamic as in person. The feedback to all
(especially if they are using a virtual speakers is to boost their natural tonal range—
background that is vibrant and interesting—or exaggerate it for the sake of video. To sound
accidentally click on the button that turns their interesting and command the audience, I push
face into Mr. Potato Head). for higher highs and lower lows. Make it BIG.
28 ONE COMMUNITY
