Internet connection
If possible, always connect your computer via an ethernet cable.
If this is not possible, connect wireless to high speed WiFi.
If your WiFi signal is weak, then please look at these solutions.
Internet speed
Your connection speed should be 5 Mbps or higher.
You can verify this by performing a speed test at https://www.speedtest.net/
Platform for digital seats in these workshops
When you have a digital seat you will join the workshop in a Zoom meeting. Details on when and how to log in, will be sent to you in a separate email after registration.
The log on procedure is explained in this video. We advise to install the Zoom application on your computer. You can download the Zoom Client for Meetings here.
Platform for viewer audience of the workshop
For those who have no digital seat in the workshop but want to participate as an observer:
you can login to the EVC event with your registration details and navigate to your selected workshop(s). To join the session, click to open the stream, similar to opening a YouTube movie. The platform used for the stream will be Vimeo and you do not need any special tools or installs for this.
Lighting
Make sure there are no windows or other bright light sources behind or beside you as this severely impacts the quality of the image. If possible, add some light in front of you to illuminate your face. Although it may seem odd, please do experiment with this to get the best result. There are some useful tips in this short video.
Use of backgrounds
We advise NOT to use artificial backgrounds but encourage you to position yourself against quiet background that is not cluttered. This can be a wall for instance. Remember that you might be one of 48 people on screen and we want to keep the overall picture as serene as possible.
Clothes
If you do decide to use an virtual background then adjust your clothing to have contrasting colors compared to your background. This will enable the computer to better manage the virtual background.
Camera
If you are in the digital seat of a workshops you will be digitally present on screen, in direct audio-visual contact with the tutors and fellow-participants. This also means that the tutors will need to be able to follow your procedures if you are using a specimen.
The easiest solution is to position your camera where it can be pointed at you or at the specimen. (please make sure that the specimen is separately lit!)
A gooseneck webcam stand can be very convenient and allows easy adjusting of the camera’s aim. See here.
Alternatively, you can connect a second webcam for the specimen but this would mean that you would have to switch between one and the other.
There is also the possibility to use your mobile as a second webcam. Look here for the details.