Zoom, Zoom
March 5, 2008
When I say, “Zoom” what pops in your head? If you are close to my age, maybe lyrics from this television show. If you currently don’t have a DVR or TIVO and actually watch television ads, maybe this.
In videoconferencing, zoom means “move the camera closer”. We notice that many people in a videoconference tend to sit as far away from the camera as possible and then zoom the camera out as far as they can. Here are some great examples to illustrate how zoom can improve the experience for your videoconference partners. Also, be sure and set a preset on the remote. It is simple and can make the transition between different camera placements so that your partner won’t get dizzy. 
First, let’s check out a moderator and two students with a “Wheel of Fortune” board. Christine has zoomed in so that we can see her expressions when she talks with us and the distance diminishes. You can see the letters on the board as the students unveil them.
Next, many times students have reading parts in a videoconference. These examples show how to use a podium or an easel to place the materials on. The other shows how to use the back of the reading materials to reinforce what is being read.
Document cameras are another way to zoom in on things and papers to show your partner. Tommy is king of the document camera in this example from Snake, Rattle, and Stand Still. Check out the fangs on that rattler. (This is the only way I want to be close to a rattlesnake…via videoconference!)
If you don’t have a document camera, don’t start whining. Make do with what you have. See how a white board and a print out using a large font can work with a close enough zoom.
Anyone else have other tips for good zooming? Anyone have pictures of bad zooming?
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Zoom - it was on my third grader’s spelling test last week -
Great tips. I am making progress on the vc refresh plan!
Great post Rox!
The only thing I’d add to that is that, whenever possible, sit closer to the camera to begin with to reduce the necessity to zoom in. I find that sitting very far away, zooming in really close makes manual panning left/right/up/down a bit trickier. My rule of thumb - move as close to the camera as your widest ‘zoom out’ level will be. If that’s a full classroom setting, I suppose that will mean sitting away from the camera. If it’s a meeting with only a few participants, move closer to the camera.