Hi! here I am having fun getting ready for class. We’re loving how the projector, in the studio at Soma Ranch, has worked out beyond expectations for creating Hybrid Nia classes.
Integrating the projector into the Hybrid experience, wasn’t even an imagined choice when we were problem solving how we could bring ONLINE participants, via zoom, to join our local community who come to the studio in Montgomery, Texas, to dance IN PERSON.
Our plan was to invest in a big screen TV to be able to see and interact with participants ONLINE via Zoom, while somehow sustaining connection with the folks in the room IN PERSON.
The challenges of the Big screen included:
where to install the big screen TV to avoid being intrusive for the participants in the room
how to teach facing the ONLINE participants, with IN PERSON participants behind
how to teach 2 different groups of students without feeling split (not to mention confused and conflicted!)
oh yes! and the cost LOL
During a recent Nia Training, I had finished up a session using our power-point and was preparing for the public Nia class.
These days we, Nia/movement teachers, have much to juggle in preparation of staring class! within a 15 minute window I’m greeting students walking in the door, having new visitors complete a waiver, getting my computer on to Zoom to bring the ONLINE students into the experience, checking sound levels, often helping someone ONLINE who has their speaker off or volume down who doesn’t understand why they can’t hear me and yes, as studio owner, there’s often a call to restock a bathroom with toilet paper… I could go on…
During this “many things in a short window of time” practice, I had forgotten to turn off the projector. Oh my surprise when, as the zoom video comes up, I glance over my shoulder and see all the beautiful ONLINE peeps right there on the wall! An extra bonus is, as the computer is on the facing wall, the zoom participants can see both themselves on the wall and all the arriving participants in the room.
Community connection is something I witness to be a very important component of the class experience, even more these days than ever before. This opening “Stepping in” to the studio, before class begins, both for in person and ONLINE participants, feels like a warm wonderful weave that brings the 2 groups (ONLINE + In PERSON) together.
Benefits the projector brings include:
ONLINE zoom participants are BIG enough to be seen
ONLINE zoom participants are going WITH the teacher (through camera installed from ceiling)
In PERSON participants enjoy feeling like they are moving with ONLINE students (rather than against)
In PERSON participants have the choice (focus facing teacher, glance to the side to enjoy ZOOMies)
As the TEACHER
I can focus on the participants in the room and glance at camera to connect with Zoomies
I can relax my over thinking brain - phew! Left means left and right means right for all!
I can connect and not feel split between ONLINE and IN PERSON participants (avoiding the conflicted and confused feeling I was having with Simultaneous Screen and Studio participants.
I can see ONLINE participants from the center of the room (No need to walk to the computer in the corner to see what’s happening in Zoom Land!