Setting up for class this year is an endless purge of electronics and charging cords out of my Mary Poppins dance bag.
I set my things in one place so no single, crucial piece of the puzzle gets left behind. Last week I looked at the belongings and I had to laugh at the new assortment of toys for teaching in 2020.
11 months into this year; the mask and the hand sanitizer need no explanation.
But the rest of these doodads have enhanced my teaching capabilities for virtual classes.
First is my Fitbit Ionic. I requested that for Christmas last year because I’m not lucky enough to carry an accompanist in my pocket; most studios don’t have live pianists. Walking back and forth to the stereo between combinations…EXHAUSTING! Especially on top of teaching.
But, I didn’t want an Apple watch keeping me tethered to my phone, so I got this Fitbit, solely for controlling my music and I love it! Now I CAN carry Steven Mitchell (my favorite accompanist) from class to class!
Next are the JLab earbuds so my voice is heard clearly to the people on the other side of my Zoom call. They aren’t Apple, but they work great, they are wireless and they are my favorite color! I only use one at a time. My other ear for the people in the studio.
Another thing not pictured, my iPad, for viewing my virtual students at a reasonable size. There’s no use in trying to see and correct people in gallery view on my phone.
The aforementioned tangled, ball of charging cords that must travel with me for each class presents it’s own headache and I am still looking for a way to keep all of those organized and clean.
Any thoughts?
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