In current times, video calling is no longer a means used to connect ourselves with others abroad or those living far away from us. Online platforms such as Zoom meetings, Microsoft Teams and Skype have become "the new normal" of places to gather for functions of work, learning and socialising.
With statements like: "Can y'all hear me?" or "Are you able to see my screen?", having been meme-ified by internet users, let’s look at a more personal and debatable topic—Do we fear turning on our cameras or why do we feel so?
All Eyes on Me
Remember the last time you were so ready to turn on your camera upon request? Yeah, I figured the ladies would've had your makeup on or fancy glasses with nicely brushed hair and for the dudes, waiting to show off those arms in a tank-top. OR, deep down, what we really feel is the insecurity revolving around not looking fresh in the morning and having to hide our sian faces.
In a traditional classroom setting where you may appear in the line-of-sight of five other people, you're now visible to 500-over participants simultaneously on their screens. Talk about the rising struggle of self-consciousness.
Chaos in the Background & Crazy Lagging
Not everyone lives in a perfect and beautiful home as much as some of us who have half-naked dads video-bombing our background every 10 minutes. Some of us cite weak internet connections, making our screens freeze at the most unglam moments possible. Turning the camera off would certainly save us from these embarrassments.
Students and employees compromising their privacy and convenience. Teachers and employers are facing a sea of blank screens and wondering if they are talking to themselves. How can we strike a balance between cohesion and individual camera-on concerns?
Balanced, As All Things Should Be
Ideally for both presenters and participants of an online meeting, I believe the ideal environment and goal everyone should aim for is to create a place where both parties give and receive verbal and non-verbal cues reciprocally.
This can only happen when we allow ourselves to be seen and heard and when we are able to see others. In a teacher-student setting, such cues are crucial in helping both parties identify how either side is reacting to the lesson. This way, the aim is to recreate the special connection that presenters and participants (even amongst themselves) have in a face-to-face setting over in the virtual space.
Establishing the Norm Early
One way to achieve that goal environment could be to encourage participants to switch their cameras on from the on-set (a practice that I've seen some facilitators already implementing). A simple way is to establish ground rules like mandatory switching-on of the camera and letting the participants agree to it by understanding the pros of doing so.
However, we should respect those who'd prefer to keep it off by encouraging them to still be involved via unmuting their audio or in the chat box. Such methods can help participants ease into a camera-on culture from a camera-off one as the new norm. This can also be applied to group project settings where we can be engaged with one another by switching on our video cameras!
Gradually, the time allowed for presenter and participants to become comfortable in a camera-on setting gives both parties the opportunity to understand participants' concerns and find solutions to their camera-on/off dilemma respectively.
A Better (Virtual) World to Live In
A college teacher that weighed in on a similar topic of this write-up stated that she believes the key to encouraging students to turn their cameras on starts with herself, the teacher.
To adapt from her words, the heart behind it is all about letting the participants know that it's okay to be themselves in front of the camera.
When we learn to embrace the seemingly awkward and funny moments of pets and family making guest appearances in our backgrounds, we create an environment where people recognise that turning the camera on means laughter, togetherness, and being seen for who we are.
