PRESCRIPTION FOR EXCELLENCE With Dr. James J. Williams
Zooming From East to West: 10 Tips in Virtual Speaking
As a professor, I know that online classes offer an emergency solution. Anything in these lockdown times is better than nothing. I also know the power of video storytelling. After immersing myself in Zoom tutorials, I realized there were some missing pieces, and I found myself bringing my experiences into my Zoom storytelling for an audience. The essentials What are the keys to successful teaching or presenting on the small screen? First, think of yourself as a “one man band” in charge of producing and hosting a multimedia “show.” You will need to multitask, but practice makes perfect. Before you get started, invest in good equipment. Virtual backgrounds offer a creative way to teach. Each background picture can say 1,000 words. It also looks best if you have a green-screen popup on a stand behind you plus a ring light on a tripod in front of you. Also, try to get a good quality microphone for your computer. All this extra gear should cost less than $300 USD — a small investment for a great return, especially if you might be teaching and public-speaking from home for longer than just the short term. Farland Chang, an Emmy award-winning storyteller who aims to bridge the East and the West. For nearly 30 years, he has been covering news stories across the United States and Asia for such media organizations as NBC and CNN International. Farland is now CEO and executive producer of WorldBizWatch, a global media company that produces documentaries, TV ads, branded entertainment and corporate films. He offers 10 tips for effective zooming presentations that I’ve also adopted: 1. Perform. As teacher or host, you’re not acting, but you are performing. So bring your energy and be your best. Communicating on the small screen means you’re definitely not larger than life. And you won’t enjoy the same electricity as in an auditorium or live lecture hall. But you can make up for all that if you prepare well. Know what to say and how to say it and give a good show. 2.
Be conversational. Talk into your camera as if you’re talking to a friend. This is easier if you have two monitors — one to see your audience, the second to show what’s on your screen. 8
