Stories |
Stories |
2019-2020
The Curious Case of Zoom Cameras By Isabella Talavera Copy Editor This year, all of our classrooms look different: each and every person at school is using Zoom, something we know all too well how to use now and didn’t think twice about last year. At Millikan, we have Zoom Norms given to us by administration. Naturally, our mics are muted unless we want to talk, but cameras are a different story. ⠀⠀⠀⠀I think we should enforce cameras on. Like the teachers, I find it incredibly awkward talking to black rectangles with only names on them. I can’t ask for help or even talk because I don’t know the faces behind those names. I perfectly understand why people are uncomfortable or unable to turn on their cameras, but this already blank virtual classroom feels even emptier when there are no faces. It’s especially important that we maintain our relationships during quarantine because we shouldn’t lose those already existing and new relationships. When we hopefully return next semester, it’s still going to be awkward because we didn’t get to know each other over Zoom. It’s great that we even have platforms to use for this current school year, and so we should use them to the fullest. ⠀⠀⠀⠀Lots of teachers tell their students to have their cameras on so that they can continue teaching to actual people and faces. Other teachers tell their students to have their cameras on so that they can take roll and acknowledge their students’ presence, while others might want their cameras off so students aren’t distracted. In doing so, they can ensure that their students are watching and paying attention, and they won’t have to teach to black rectangles the whole time or deal with distractions. Of course, some teachers do understand the difficulties of Zoom and understand camera preferences. ⠀⠀⠀⠀“For us teachers it is sooooo sooooo hard to teach to black rectangles! We have no idea if you understand us, if we need to repeat or re-explain.. I did not enter this career to be a YouTuber!” explains PEACE teacher Andrea Glenn. “I know so many students' computers get laggy with cameras on, that sucks and is not fair.. so I get it.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀For students, there are multiple reasons as to why they don’t want to turn on their cameras. Sometimes their connections are poor and their computers can’t support their cameras, and they’ll freeze up as a result. Other times, students get self-conscious and don’t like looking at themselves, or they’re not feeling well in general. They can do other activities while their cameras are off, or they may have other people in the room with them. “I definitely prefer camera off, and I know that the majority of students agree with me as well. With the camera on, we feel so much more pressure to look our best even though we're at home and we shouldn't have to worry about it,” says COMPASS junior Elyana Lopez. “Teachers definitely have other ways of checking if we're there and engaged, by asking questions and telling students to answer verbally or in the chat, and most students do reply to those requests. Having a camera on causes a lot of anxiety that is simply unnecessary.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀A good compromise that some classes use for cameras is turning them on during attendance or specific activities and lectures, then turning them off during independent work so students don’t feel like they’re constantly being watched. Yes, it’s good to see other people’s faces so you aren’t talking to emptiness, but it’s important to take in both the feelings of both teachers and students when it comes to cameras due to teaching and learning in the middle of a pandemic. The important thing is that everyone is in attendance, and that regardless if their cameras are on, hopefully learning and teaching move on. PHOTO COURTESY OF MOHAMED HASSAN FROM PIXABAY Depending on the size of classes, more or less cameras will be turned on, either revealing attentive students or several black rectangles to talk to throughout the day.
15 Comments
Joseph Daniele
12/2/2020 10:31:38 am
In Opinion, Issue 3 (published November 20, 2020), Isabella Talavera wrote an article titled "The Curious Case of Zoom Cameras." She writes about her thoughts, and opinion on zoom cameras. Like her, I agree with everything she says. I praise her having the same thoughts as me for the zoom cameras. She writes, "like teachers, I feel awkward talking to a black rectangle." A good compromise she noted was the idea of turning them on for solely attendance. I also love how this was opinions by many students, with many opinions. The number of students who are brave enough to turn on their cameras to start a class greatly influences if more people will do the same. Isabella stated that as well. A suggestion I have is I feel this article can be longer. It seems the reader got the bare minimum hearing your opinion, one student, and one teacher. I think the more the better and I would have been curious to see what a bigger scale would have thought. All in all, it is a very solid story, just needs more people interviewed but very good structure.
Reply
Bryant
12/2/2020 10:40:22 am
December 2, 2020
Reply
Danielle Paulson
12/2/2020 11:03:11 am
In Issue 2 / 2020, (Published 11/20/2020) Isabella Talavera wrote an article titled ¨The Curious Case of Zoom Cameras¨. Within her article, the author does a very good job providing evidence for both sides of the argument. Even though she believes in having cameras on during zoom, she still represents the group that believes the opposite. I think it is very important that she provided both perspectives because it allows us readers to understand where each side is coming. I think it would be helpful for readers if you included statements from teachers and students for both sides of the argument. Are there any students (besides yourself) that believe cameras should be on? Are there any teachers that believe cameras should remain off? I would also suggest taking a closer look at grammar within the article, because there were some parts that could use some revisions. I really like how the end of the article includes an idea for a compromise. I think that if a compromise is made, and put in place by administration, it would be the best solution to this ongoing issue that is faced during zoom classes.
Reply
Mark Alvarez
12/2/2020 11:18:23 am
December 2, 2020
Reply
Krystal Loomis
12/2/2020 08:55:36 pm
December 2 , 2020
Reply
Johnny Santana
12/2/2020 08:58:11 pm
In Opinion, Issue 3 (published November 20, 2020), Isabella Talavera wrote an article titled ¨The Curious Case of Zoom Cameras¨. In her article, the author talks about both sides of the people's opinions, cameras on or off. Isabella believes that people should have their cameras on which is totally acceptable. Even when she believes in having cameras on, she still takes the time to talk about the people who want cameras off. I feel as if this is a good thing as we see from both sides of the argument. There are some things I'd like to point out as there are some kids without a webcam and can't afford one, plus some kids with low-quality cams might feel as if they're being made fun of for the quality they are providing. I do like how you included all the other things on why a student might not want to turn on their cam like "Other times, students get self-conscious and don’t like looking at themselves, or they’re not feeling well in general. They can do other activities while their cameras are off, or they may have other people in the room with them." Also the facts on the reason why a student should turn on a camera. I'd like to end off on how well your compromise is "A good compromise that some classes use for cameras is turning them on during attendance or specific activities and lectures, then turning them off during independent work so students don’t feel like they’re constantly being watched." I feel like this should be taken into effect as it is a very good idea as you explained.
Reply
Evan Morissette
12/3/2020 10:36:09 am
December 3, 2020Dear Corydon Editor,In Issue 3/2020 (published November 20, 2020),Isabella Talavera wrote an article titled “The Curious Case of Zoom Cameras” The article starts off talking about zoom norms and the camera situation. In this article the editor talks about her opinion on hoe students need to have their cameras on at all times. SHe makes the point, "It’s especially important that we maintain our relationships during quarantine because we shouldn’t lose those already existing and new relationships." I do agree with this statement because without social/ in-person interaction, you can start to lose people you didn't even know that you liked. She also makes the point that if we ever went back to school this year it would be very awkward because no one will know each other. This is so true, I don't know lots of people in the classes that I have. One very good paragraph in this article is the counterargument. Isabella Makes the point that students don't want to have their camera on because of different issues, looking at themselves, and causing anxiety. I also liked that the closing paragraph is her explaining the compromise between teachers and students. I agree with the compromises that are being presented in the article.Sincerely,Evan Morissette, Grade 11
Reply
mahalia dominguez
12/3/2020 10:58:25 am
In Issue 3/2020 (published November 20, 2020, Isabella Talavera wrote an article titled ¨The curious case of zoom cameras¨. I would like to start off by saying what a great job you did on this article. Although, I have to say I don't fully agree with you on enforcing cameras to be on and let me tell you why. For many of us teenagers having our cameras on makes us feel awkward. We are also very private now a days and having our cameras off just makes us feel comfortable but, I do agree with you on turning them on at certain points in our zoom meetings. I also have a few suggestions or tips that you could possibly use. I think that you should have talked more about mental health of us students and maybe even the teachers as well and all the stress that we get from online schooling. You could even include some of your own stories so that anyone who reads your articles gets a good sense of where you are coming from. I for one like to put myself in other people's shoes so I could understand them more. Until now I had never thought about how teachers feel when our cameras are off because I just cared if I needed to have it on or off. But now I have gotten a sense of how they feel. Thank you for writing such an amazing article that many who read this can relate to.
Reply
Emily Winters
12/3/2020 12:46:57 pm
December 3rd,
Reply
Tatiana
12/3/2020 12:50:52 pm
In Issue 3/2020 (published November 20, 2020), Isabelle Talavera wrote an article titled “The Curious Case of Zoom Cameras” Throughout the article she talks about two sides, those who think zoom cameras should be on, and those who think they should be off. Although she is on the side that believes they should be on, she also represents the other sides and shares why they think they should be turned off. I think that it is very good that she did this because it doesn't show any type of bias and most importantly so that the reader can get a clear view on both sides thoughts of this. I do like how she included a statement from both a student and teacher to represent their side, but I think that you should include even more statements to see if others have different thoughts on this and maybe even see if any teachers think the cameras should be off. As a student, I can agree on the fact that with cameras on can cause poor internet connection, but can also understand a teachers side in which talking to blank screens can be horrible. Towards the end of the article she talks about a compromise, turning on cameras at the beginning of class for attendance and activities, and then turning them off for independent working. This is a compromise I completely agree with and think should be considered.
Reply
Tara Burks
12/3/2020 12:52:10 pm
In Issue 2/2020 (published November 3rd, 2020), Emma Sherman wrote an article titled “Asynchronous Days - Are They a Healthy Option for Students?” The article talks about the opinions that students and teachers have towards async days, and the problems that we’re faced with regarding them. First, I would like to applaud you for addressing this concept from different perspectives, such as interviewing students and teachers and taking their feedback into account as you question the pros and cons that we’re facing currently with asynchronous days. Personally, I love asynchronous days as they usually allow me to complete simple work that still pertains to my class at my own pace, and although I may not have my classmates or teacher to help me through learning something, I would then have the extra time to watch videos or read articles, or as you mentioned, catch up on any other work afterwards. It’s kind of like a mental health day, but you know that you’re still being productive. If asynchronous days are going to be a new normal for us, then having it be on a set weekday, like every Monday for instance, might even make adapting to online school much simpler for those struggling to adjust.
Reply
Amber Appleton
12/3/2020 12:58:23 pm
December 3, 2020
Reply
Arian Villanueva
12/3/2020 01:21:13 pm
Dear Corydon Editor,In Issue 3/2020 (published November 20, 2020), Isabella Talavera wrote an article titled “The Curious Case of Zoom Cameras” The article mentions the opinions of both students and teachers about the new Zoom norms. I would like to start this letter by praising your open-mindedness on this particular topic. You mentioned both sides of the argument and even wrote about the compromise between the teachers and students, and that, to me, is the most respectable thing you can do when writing about such a controversial topic. Personally, I am rooting for a consensus between students and teachers, viz; only turning your camera on during attendance. It is absurd to enforce students to keep their camera on for the entire class. However, I can completely understand the frustration teachers feel when they are teaching ¨black rectangles with only names on them¨, but there are very simple solutions for this issue, solutions which you mentioned in your article. For example, regularly asking questions to students or turning your camera on during specific activities like breakout rooms, and such. Overall, this was a great story that reviewed every opinion you can think of on this subject.
Reply
Ethan Navas
12/3/2020 10:45:29 pm
December 3, 2020
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
ReportersSee our Staff page for more information about us. Thanks for visiting! |