I& #39;m coming to the end of an online semester. It& #39;s been camera-on for me, and camera-off for them (Apart from one week where I ran a section camera off, and we all agreed it was weirdly awkward). I& #39;ve model my approach on Twitch video game let& #39;s play livestreamers. https://twitter.com/slowtech2000/status/1316721123619475461">https://twitter.com/slowtech2...

I& #39;m the focal point of facilitation, so we need the rich media cues from me. For the students, it& #39;s audio and text, and we& #39;ve had times where the class literally lined up in the chat window, and self moderated their order for audio contributions.

For breakout rooms, which I make a point of not attending, they& #39;ll go to video with each other where it& #39;s comfortable, or they feel safe.

For student consults, they& #39;ll often show up in full video, because it& #39;s a personal/private conversation.

Thing is, they& #39;re showing up.

My online seminar attendance rates are vastly better than the face to face attendance rates of the past ::decade::

My undergraduates are present, connected, engaged, and participating at rates not seen in a long time. Zoom breakout rooms are creating better interpersonal bonds

All of this success without requiring cameras on when we& #39;re in the main education lobby, and inviting cameras on when we& #39;re in the breakout chats.

Also(1) I& #39;m really expressive with the visual cues, the active listening, and the body language. (helps I& #39;ve played silent characters who communicates solely through body language in LARP games). Plus, I& #39;ve genuinely enjoyed the experience, and it comes across the body language