Tips for Teaching in Front of the Camera

Times have changed rapidly and technology has become the saving grace of education and community connection. For those of us in fields and vocations which are typically dependent upon human connection and transmission of information through personal contact and relationships, here are a few tips for shifting to sharing your gifts virtually.

ON NERVOUSNESS

Remember when you first started standing in front of a group and felt your heart pound and words garble in your throat? This was much like a kind of stage fright. Take comfort that you have been through this before and probably had a slew of tactics you used that still apply! What you experienced before was much like a stage actor and now you are shifting to a similar venue, just more like a film actor. What’s different and what’s the same? Check out these suggestions below.

TALK TO A PERSON, NOT THE CAMERA

Though staring at a screen may seem impersonal, there are people on the other side aching to connect. They want your personality, your unique-isms, and to feel your presence. Look at the camera whenever you are positioned to do so. Imagine a person standing behind it whom you are speaking directly to and interact. You might even choose a person in your life to imagine, someone who you crack up with, are fully yourself with, who loves your…