04-2020: April Tech Tidbit: Treat Your Self (Isolation Edition)

Post date: Mar 31, 2020 7:53:59 PM

Hey everyone! I hope you're staying healthy and safe at home! You've probably noticed that we're getting lots of support on distance learning technology. Some examples include:

• The Bits & Pieces blog (more in our Tech Tidbit Feature)

• TLS 9-12 Tips for Emergency Closures

• New Kyte videos on supporting distance learning from our very own Ed Tech department!

But if you're like me, you're struggling outside of work, too. So I'm here to give you some tips for surviving isolation outside of work! Since this is a tech blog, let's start with some cool tech tools I'm using to stay connected:

• Netflix Party: This Chrome extension syncs your Netflix video with your friends and adds a chat feature so you can have a little movie night together or binge Tiger King with your bestie.

• Google Duo or House Party: Video call with up to 8 people in this easy to use app. Especially helpful for connecting with your tech challenged friends and family because it's just like making a call!

• Tabletopia: This website (also available on Steam) has hundreds of free to play board games, card games, and escape rooms that you can play with your friends and family from afar. I was able to get it up and running in a couple hours! It's our go to for family night every Wednesday!

• Steam Remote Play: This one is for my gamers out there. I've been playing an irresponsible amount of video games so far. Steam allows 1-4 players to join you in local multiplayer games, even if they don't own it!

Now that we know how to have fun, let's hear some advice from isolation experts: astronauts!

Peggy Whitson

Peggy Whitson knows what it's like to be isolated. She broke the record for total days in space (665days!) in 2017. She said that it's important to stay positive. One way you can do that is to remember WHY we're in this situation:

"COVID-19 gives us a higher purpose much like being in space does because we are saving lives by quarantining," she said. "It is important to understand that bigger purpose and to embrace that purpose to give you reason and rationale for continuing to put up with the situation."

(Full interview here)

Scott Kelly

Scott Kelly is an expert in being away from friends and family for months. In 2015-16, Scott and his twin brother, Mark, were part of NASA's ground breaking Twin Study. Scott stayed in space for 340 consecutive days in space and has a career total of 520 days. Scott said that it's important to have a routine, but make sure you also include time for fun.

"Take time for fun activities: I met up with crewmates for movie nights, complete with snacks, and binge-watched all of '"Game of Thrones'" — twice," he said. "I appreciate that in our current predicament, I can step outside any time I want for a walk or a hike — no spacesuit needed. Research has shown that spending time in nature is beneficial for our mental and physical health, as is exercise," he added.

(Full article here)

Chris Hadfield

Chris Hadfield is my favorite astronaut of all time. He's kind, genuine, and made education a huge focus of his time in space. He was the first Canadian to perform a space walk, flew on 2 space shuttle missions, and was commander of the International Space Station. With a career total of 166 days in space, Chris knows a thing or two about self-isolation. He says it's important to do some research first, then have some fun:

"Understand the actual risk, don't just be afraid of things," he said. "Go to a credible source and find out what is truly the risk that you're facing right now — you, your family, your friends, the people that you care about ... Once you understand the risk and your mission, your sense of purpose and your obligations, then take action, start doing things," he said. "They don't have the be things that you always did before. Take care of family, start a new project, learn to play guitar, study another language, read a book, write, create. It's a chance to do something different that you've maybe not done before and then, repeat."

(Full video here; plus he's got a wicked space music video)

I hope you've found this beneficial. You're all amazing and I'm lucky to have such wonderful colleagues. You're like my family and being away from you is so tough. Stay strong, stay healthy, be safe. I miss you, but we'll see each other soon.