Latest headlines: Scott Tiner on Zoom’s recent success and how it can continue, Gary Kayye on getting the Pfizer vaccine and more
January 21, 2021 | Volume: 12 | Issue: 2
“Zoom just works,” declares rAVe columnist and director of AV services at Bates College, Scott Tiner. And, probably the 4,313 other colleges that use Zoom to teach, now that they are mostly online, would agree. But, I wonder, and so does Scott, how many people are now calling Teams or BlueJeanscalls “Zoom calls” like we call tissues “Kleenex?” I use Zoom to teach at UNC — and I even had a custom studio built here at THE rAVe Agency, designed specifically so I could teach just like I was in the classroom via Zoom. I have two 75” monitors less than 5 feet away from my face and, thus, my students are close — a lot larger than the “Brady Bunch” squares we’ve come to accept — so I can see their expressions and the nuances in their movements. I decided that if I had to keep teaching remotely, I might as well simulate real-life as teaching. Sitting down or staring exclusively at tiny heads wasn’t good enough (or inspiring enough) for me!
I plan to write a column about it and even publish the as-builts for you to use to build your own hybrid teaching studio! Give me a few weeks — as I have a lot coming up.
Speaking of a lot, next Wednesday, Jan. 27, I will deliver, LIVE, my 2021 Kayye’s Krystal Ball via a webinar — if you’re interested (and you’d rather listen or watch me deliver the piece instead of reading it), it’s free and you can register here.
Finally, I hope you will check out my own personal experience with getting the COVID-19 vaccine. I have been in the Pfizer vaccine trial since September, and I thought sharing my experience with the vaccine might help you feel more comfortable getting it sooner rather than later! That article is below.
Enjoy our 12th year of publishing rAVe UCC below, and all the new products covered, too!
Each of the past several iterations of videoconferencing have a few things in common. First, they became part of the consumer lexicon, becoming verbs, in fact. Second, they became popular because of their use by, and availability to the general consumer. Only Zoom, however, grew at what can be described as an explosive pace. Yes, the pandemic is the main reason for this huge uptake, but as many others have pointed out over time, it is also because Zoom just works!
Yes, I received the actual vaccine rather than the placebo (21,720 people in the study received BNT162b2 and 21,728 received the placebo). My first shot was Sept. 4 and I received my second on Sept. 28; I am still in the trial for another 24 months. I thought I would put together my thoughts — as many of you will be eligible as soon as next week and might be either nervous or not sure what to do. Of course, this is an individual decision everyone must make on their own but I was hoping if I shared my story, it might make you feel better. If you have any questions, PLEASE reach out.
“Okay, Einstien.” “That was smart!” “Your baby is so smart.” These are all common sayings we’ve heard that center around the idea of smart or intelligence. But what is smart? As we progressed further into the 21st century, technology seems to be outdoing itself every day.
.jpg)
