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Instead of asking Ss to keep their video on the entire Zoom, do frequent checks for understand that require them to engage. “Hold 1-5 fingers or type the number in the chat...”- “Everyone come up with one question you still have & type it in the chat” (provide question stems...)
Some days we’re camera ready & other days we need a break from feeling like we’re on display... These could also be SEL check-ins... Anything that asks Ss to engage with you tells what you need to know without a camera on.
As someone who has spent the better part of my week (and month) on all-day zooms... cut our kids some slack here. Show them some grace where “camera on” is concerned.
If “video on” is helpful to you as a presenter/teacher, giving them choice & positively reinforcing those who do choose to be video on while showing empathy and building community is a better approach than enforcing anything. I promise.
And, if there are some days you want everyone “video on”, given them a heads up the day before/ hours in advance so they can mentally and physically prepare for it.
