Setting Up Your Space

Welcome to a whole new world!

Here are a couple of key things to consider when setting up your new workspace :

Where is the LIGHT?

No filter... this is how I look on Zoom with a window to my right vs facing a window. Is that a game changer, or what?!
I'm sure you want your students to be able to see you well so before you get too settled into your classroom layout, I'd literally take your computer or phone and see how you look from different angles in your room.
Chances are very good you want to be looking straight out a window. And BONUS- the view and extra sunshine for you can be nice, too!
If you can't work by a window, experiment with other lamps and lighting to find what makes you show up best for the kids.
And while we're on the topic of looking good, check out the Zoom setting (under Video) that lets you "touch up my appearance." I mean, why not, right? :)

How's the view for your audience?

This is one of my virtual meeting pet peeves. Let's be real.
No one wants to : 1. See up your nose and/or2. Feel like you're looking down on them
Your computer /camera should be at your eye level. If you need to get some boxes or crates or short shelves to prop it up on, DO IT. :)
You can see in the picture of my workspace at the top of this page that my computer is on a stand, which is stacked on a couple of sturdy boxes.
My extra monitor is on a wooden office organizer that also offers some shelves and spaces for me to keep my lists, whiteboard, and other supplies.

Want to sit or stand?

Would you rather sit or stand? This is probably a matter of personal preference, but here's what I found out: The idea of teaching from the comfort of a squishy desk chair may sound dreamy at first, but let me tell you- after a few weeks of sitting SO much and just intuitively LEANING into my computer at an unnatural angle to engage with students, I was starting to feel it in my back. No time for that, right?!
My friend suggested moving everything to my countertop to make a "standing desk" and BAM- I love it. I do all of my whole group lessons standing up and do my 1:1 lessons sitting down... pretty much the same as what I'd do in my face-to-face classroom! Maybe you're the same?
Whatever YOU do, find something that lets you type with your arms at your sides and keep your neck/head/back at a neutral position.

What's going on behind you?

You can't go wrong with having a plain wall behind you. It helps students focus and gives you a 0% chance of anything unexpected happening behind you (especially if you're at home and have other people around).
If you're facing a window though, you might not have a wall right there (like me! My background isn't the best, but it's okay...) ...so you could make a "wall" with a room divider or bookshelves or an easel or ???
If you want to add some interest and fun, you could add a few decorative lights or playful items that change from month to month or week to week.

Is there space to lay out your stuff?

What will you need for lessons? Have a place to have it all prepped and laid out so you can grab it quickly & easily. A table, desk, or countertop would all work great. Do you have this near your computer? You probably do the same for face-to-face class so this is nothing new.
ALSO- what do you need on your computer? What windows do you want open? Which videos should be cued up? Things take more time to open when you're on video meetings, so be sure to get all of the online stuff "laid out" before you go live.
TIME SAVING TIP: Do you have a usual set of windows you want opened each day? You can make a folder of bookmarks in Google Chrome and set them all to open together for you.

Useful Equipment

Find AN EXTRA MONITOR

The #1 thing experienced distance teachers recommend is getting a 2nd monitor.
HOW TO FIND ONE: This could be a small, cheap TV or computer monitor. Know anyone who might have something like that, maybe even sitting around their home unused? If you buy one, you can ind them for < $100. Here's one with 8,300 good reviews for only $75.
SET IT UP: You probably connect it to your computer with a simple HDMI to thunderbolt cord (but each set up is unique so investigate for yourself!). Then if you have a Mac, click the apple in the top corner, -> system preferences, -> displays, and when your extra monitor is attached, you can choose where you want it to be recognized (to the left, right, or above your computer screen). Then you literally can drag things from your computer to your extra monitor and you've doubled your work space! You'll LOVE it. But that's not the best part...
WHY IT'S WORTH IT: You want to see your students all the time! When you have 2 monitors, you can have your meeting windows open to view your students on your computer and you can have all your internet windows open on your extra monitor. When you want to show them a video or website, just share your screen and select "Google Chrome" (or wherever the stuff you want to share is at) and you can see your kids PLUS what you're sharing.
TIP: I recommend keeping your kids on your computer vs dragging them to your extra monitor because your camera is on your computer. When you look at the kids, it LOOKS LIKE (to them) you're looking at them if they're on your computer.

Noise Canceling Headphones

If you're in a quiet room alone, you can probably skip this one. However, if you have other people around or are in a shared space, good headphones are KEY because of the way they help you focus on what you're teaching and block out noise (at least for the person wearing them - FYI, kids on your video call may still hear some of your background noises).
My teaching roommate and I both invested in the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones and we're really happy with them. They're comfy and really block out noise well (like we have to yell at each other if we need to get the other person's attention- haha).
I did a bunch of research and heard that when it comes to noise cancelling headphones, you truly get what you pay for. I talked to the experts at a couple different stores and they all unanimously recommended Sony as their top choice for distance teaching. They said Beats are mainly for music. Bose are a good second choice, but Sony is best.
We tried some cheaper headphones we found around school and they were uncomfortable and seemed pretty pointless.
Stores like Best Buy have all kinds of options on display if you want to try them on in person & check them out in real life.
They can be used with bluetooth or the cord they come with. Sometimes my bluetooth flakes out during meetings so I keep the cord close and just plug in if needed.
REMEMBER: You'll probably talk louder than usual with good headphones on because you just can't even hear yourself as well- haha.

iPad Holder

My teaching roommate and I both have this one. It's pretty good. It's not as flexible as I wish it was, but I'm kind of picky. It can twist and turn in a variety of ways, just not all the ones I want. It also only holds your iPad without a case on which bugged me at first (cause I like my case!), but now that it's in this holder most of the time I realized it's no big deal.
My friend uses hers as a doc cam (like how I use my phone) and I think she likes it.
I use mine to just keep my iPad close at eye-level and be logged into the video meeting and SEE WHAT THE KIDS ARE SEEING! This has been incredibly valuable for me, especially as I've been learning how it all works. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS! How does your screen sharing look? When and how does the speaker view change? Want to physically hold up your iPad and show them what to press? Simple. I love it so much.
BTW- When I'm logged in on my other iPad & phone I keep the video off on them so kids aren't seeing me from 3 different angles- ha.

Extra Chargers

I LOVE having an extra charger or two so I can constantly be charging my iPad or phone.
I use BOTH my phone and iPad to log into most meetings so the batteries go fast. As long as I have the chargers close though, no stress!

Digital Clock

With your room a little reconfigured, do you still have a clock close by to keep you on schedule? I bought a big digital clock to keep in front of myself and I refer to it often!

Blue Light Blocking Glasses

Whether they really work to reduce eye strain... or just make you look extra teacher-y, these feel like a good move for distance teaching! I have some teacher friends and people in my family who swear they really, really help their eyes feel less tired. Personally, I'm not sure, but feel like they're fun & worth trying with all this extra screen time!
Amazon has a ton of affordable options. These are one of the pairs I have & like.
You can also reduce the blue light your computer gives off by just going into your display settings. On a Mac, go to the apple in the top left corner -> system pref -> displays -> night shift. Turn your night shift on 24 hours a day, like set it for 6:00 am to 5:59 am. That will help!

Computer Stand

Here's the link to the one I have: HERE.
This is nice for several reasons:

It can elevate your computer, which is nice, especially if you're standing and need some added height (this one is adjustable).
It can raise up and down, swivel 360 degrees, & change angles.
The angle of it makes typing more comfortable on your wrists, especially if you're standing.

Cell Phone Clip / Stand

I have this one and like it a lot. I clamp it on to the countertop and use it to hold my phone. Then I log into my meetings with my phone and basically use this as a document camera by sharing my phone screen and having it on the camera.
I put read aloud books, my whiteboard, math materials, art projects or anything I want the kids to see underneath it.
I love the flexible arm so I can easily zoom in/out or reposition things and have unlimited flexibility. If I am not using it at the moment, I can bend it way out of the way.
The clamp can attach to really thick or thin items- I've had it on my countertop, desk, and bookshelf.. You twist it to tighten it so it's easy to do and holds tightly.
I have a big plus-sized phone and it holds it wonderfully. Anything smaller would fit, too.
The only negative is if I accidentally bump it, the arm and phone jiggles. But then I just have to grab it and calm it down. LOL.
Also- NO WORRIES- if you get a text or notification on your phone, it will NOT show up for your students! You're not sharing your screen. You're just using the camera on your phone, like everyone in the meeting does.

Whiteboard & Markers

I have the kids get their whiteboards out multiple times per day for every subject. It's awesome for keeping them engaged with what's happening. They love it. We're on week 12 and it hasn't lost it's appeal for them yet.
Anyway- you'll want to have a small or big whiteboard close so you can be modeling things for them.
If they don't have whiteboards and markers at home, this could be a really valuable thing to send them! Sometimes kids can't find them, but then they just get out a paper and pencil- no big deal.

Editable Digital Visual Schedule

Just like in face-to-face class, kids need and love to see where they're at in the day and what's coming up next.
I didn't have my schedule posted for the kids at first and I got so. many. questions from them about "what's next" or "when are we going to _____."
So then i tried putting it on an easel behind me, but that was so big and clunky. Now I've gone 100% digital with my schedule and created 122 card options for you to display digitally OR print and use however you want! :). Find them HERE! I love them!!

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse