Social Isolation Hack #1: Changing Your (Virtual) Scenery
Posted On May 1, 2020
Today’s headlines affirm many of us are hitting a social isolation wall, and we all have reason to fear a group charge into the virus-infected wild for a change of scenery (and maybe a bacon cheeseburger). Before you go full Butch & Sundance, maybe decorating your virtual space in a way that adds touches of familiarity or flair will make it easier to wait out the Coronavirus safely?
Many of us are using Zoom’s teleconferencing software to participate in support group meetings, lectures and fitness classes. Zoom allows registered users (it’s still free) to change the “virtual background” of their video feed. You can use one of Zoom’s pre-selected options or upload your own photos and videos. The effect is to show live action by the user via their camera, but all other items in the room behind the user are replaced by the virtual background. There are some distortions, but it’s pretty neat!
I have been using photos of our boxing instructor’s gym as my virtual background in class, and a few people have asked for instructions, which are provided below. It might be fun if everybody in a class used the same background or if each chose an exotic destination they’d like to visit when the quarantine is lifted. In any event, using virtual backgrounds seems like a good opportunity to enhance group cohesion or inspire positive conversations, both sorely needed in these strange times.
Actual Zoom screenshots with me shadow boxing in my office with (1) no virtual background, (2) our trainer’s gym as the virtual background, (3) the Coliseum in Rome as the virtual background (for days when I need to boost my PD Gladiator spirit), and (4) the Eiffel Tower in Paris as the virtual background (for days when I just feel like surrendering).
Here are step-by-step instructions for using the Virtual Background feature in your Zoom meetings, classes or parties:
1. If you have already signed up as a registered user for a Zoom account, skip to step 3. (Note: you may be joining meetings even if you’re not a registered user, but you can’t view settings unless you’re registered.)
2. Sign up for a free Zoom account at www.zoom.com. Register with your email and password (or other permissible options). You will download the Zoom software, and an icon will appear on your device.
3. Click the Zoom icon on your device to open the program. If you haven’t signed in yet, the opening window will give you two options: “Join a Meeting” or “Sign In.”
4. Select “Sign In” and then enter your email and password (or other method you have chosen). Then click the “Sign In” button to view your Home page.
5. The Home page has four buttons centered on the top line: Home, Chat, Meetings and Contacts. There’s a search box and your avatar on the top right, with a gear “settings” icon below that.
6. Open Settings by clicking on the gear icon, top right of the Home page.
7. The settings page shows several options in the left column. Select “Virtual Background.”
8. The Virtual Background page shows how you will appear in front of images or videos you choose and allows you to select an image that will appear behind you in place of your actual space. You can choose from sample virtual backgrounds provided in the Zoom software or upload your own photos and videos.
9. Click on the “+” sign at the top right of the box that includes available virtual backgrounds to add new images or videos.
10. Select the virtual background you want to use for your next meeting and close the page.
11. On the Home page, select New Meeting or Join, as you always do.
Social Isolation Hack #1: Changing Your (Virtual) Scenery
Today’s headlines affirm many of us are hitting a social isolation wall, and we all have reason to fear a group charge into the virus-infected wild for a change of scenery (and maybe a bacon cheeseburger). Before you go full Butch & Sundance, maybe decorating your virtual space in a way that adds touches of familiarity or flair will make it easier to wait out the Coronavirus safely?
Many of us are using Zoom’s teleconferencing software to participate in support group meetings, lectures and fitness classes. Zoom allows registered users (it’s still free) to change the “virtual background” of their video feed. You can use one of Zoom’s pre-selected options or upload your own photos and videos. The effect is to show live action by the user via their camera, but all other items in the room behind the user are replaced by the virtual background. There are some distortions, but it’s pretty neat!
I have been using photos of our boxing instructor’s gym as my virtual background in class, and a few people have asked for instructions, which are provided below. It might be fun if everybody in a class used the same background or if each chose an exotic destination they’d like to visit when the quarantine is lifted. In any event, using virtual backgrounds seems like a good opportunity to enhance group cohesion or inspire positive conversations, both sorely needed in these strange times.
Here are step-by-step instructions for using the Virtual Background feature in your Zoom meetings, classes or parties:
1. If you have already signed up as a registered user for a Zoom account, skip to step 3. (Note: you may be joining meetings even if you’re not a registered user, but you can’t view settings unless you’re registered.)
2. Sign up for a free Zoom account at www.zoom.com. Register with your email and password (or other permissible options). You will download the Zoom software, and an icon will appear on your device.
3. Click the Zoom icon on your device to open the program. If you haven’t signed in yet, the opening window will give you two options: “Join a Meeting” or “Sign In.”
4. Select “Sign In” and then enter your email and password (or other method you have chosen). Then click the “Sign In” button to view your Home page.
5. The Home page has four buttons centered on the top line: Home, Chat, Meetings and Contacts. There’s a search box and your avatar on the top right, with a gear “settings” icon below that.
6. Open Settings by clicking on the gear icon, top right of the Home page.
7. The settings page shows several options in the left column. Select “Virtual Background.”
8. The Virtual Background page shows how you will appear in front of images or videos you choose and allows you to select an image that will appear behind you in place of your actual space. You can choose from sample virtual backgrounds provided in the Zoom software or upload your own photos and videos.
9. Click on the “+” sign at the top right of the box that includes available virtual backgrounds to add new images or videos.
10. Select the virtual background you want to use for your next meeting and close the page.
11. On the Home page, select New Meeting or Join, as you always do.
Have fun!
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About The Author
Larry Kahn