Technical Accessory Recommendations
So you've added your first online class(es) and may even have taught 1 or 2. Things are going smoothly so far, but you want to add a certain pizzazz to your video teaching technique - well, we may be able to help!
We've done some research online and wanted to recommend a few accessories that we think will work to improve your offering.
Tripods
When we say tripods, an image of a professional photography on the side of mountain range, hoping to get that perfect sunset shot, comes to mind. But guess what, you can use them too!
The best way to use a tripod teaching online, is to set up an additional device to join in your class, so you have both a camera on your face, and one for up close shots and mobile use (read more about using an additional device > here).
You can get tripods for both phones and tablets, but we would recommend using your phone so that you can easily move this around and use it to get up close and personal to what you want to show, without it getting in your way.
While your desktop is placed to look at you, you can set up your tripod to point down towards your work. This may be directed down in front of you as you draw on paper, shooting from behind as you paint on an easel, or pointed towards your hob or kitchen counter. The benefit is that students can view you while you instruct, and your work, at the same time.
We've looked into some tripods via Amazon.co.uk but you could also try Argos.co.uk or Currys.co.uk
A few we've found:
SYOSIN Extendable Bluetooth Selfie Stick Tripod
(Bonus: Selfie Stick)
Flexible Tripod for iPhone and Android Stabilizer + Bluetooth remote
(Bonus: Flexible Grip)
Ailun Phone Camera Tripod Mount
(Bonus: Large holder for bigger phones/tablets!)
Webcam Lens
Another accessory to consider is the camera lens. This is not to improve the quality of your feed (you can purchase a high quality webcam for this - but they can be expensive!), but to widen or narrow the shot you show on screen.
Most lens kits come with a wide angle, fish eye and macro lens. The wide angle and fish eye are great for capturing more into one shot, and the macro could be used on your additional device for a closer view.
The wide angle or fish eye lens could be useful for yoga or meditation sessions, or when trying to create a particular ambience with the environment around you on screen (e.g. plants or artwork in the background).
The macro lens can also be attached to your phone/tablet that you may be using as an additional device, to show a closer shot of your pencil, pen, paintbrush, scissors...and more!
Again, we've looked into Amazon, but there are a number of other sites you can look to find one.
You'll notice they are all built for a phone in mind - but don't worry, they fit onto laptops too.
A few we've found:
CamKix Universal 3 in 1 Camera Lens Kit
CamKix Deluxe Universal 5 in 1 Camera Lens Kit
LUXESHARE HD Professional Camera Lens Kit
Can you recommend any?
We know there are lots of brands and websites out there, so if you know of, or have found an accessory you think other teachers may want to know about, let us know!