Digitizing Your Studio
We’re living in crazy times, folks.
So Why Digitize??
In recent weeks, we’ve watched the Coronavirus snowball out of a peripheral news event to an imminent force that is shaping our daily lives, entire nations, the global economy, and, yes, our schools and teaching studios. As the exponential nature of this virus has been made clear, we’re constantly reminded to act responsibly to “flatten the curve.” Flattening the curve essentially means SLOWING the spread of this virus, which affects all ages but particularly elderly people as to not overwhelm our health care systems (as well as limit the number of people who will be infected by the virus).
Please consider two scenarios:
Scenario #1: Not change anything. Schools continue as usual. People rush to and from jobs. The economy keeps moving. In the meantime, the virus rushes around with people and continues to spread exponentially. As a result, enormous numbers of panicked people to rush to ERs, which do not have the supplies/tests/capacity to handle such an influx. Elderly people are especially plagued by coronavirus and untold lives are lost. Other people in need of medical services are denied as there simply aren’t enough doctors/nurses to help everybody.
Scenario #2: Massive preventative measures are imposed immediately. Schools close, all businesses that aren’t necessary are shut down, all large sporting and other events are cancelled. Flights and travel are banned. Contact is limited, people practice social distancing and bring food to the doorsteps of their elderly neighbors. In the meantime, the virus slows as it does not have people to infect. The health care system is not working over capacity and can handle those who do fall ill with the virus. Communities work together to make sure at-risk groups are adequately supported through this difficult time. The economy slows, but inevitably returns. Eventually schools reopen and the situation remains under control.
It’s obvious which scenario we must choose. For independent music teachers, this will mean digitizing your studio.
Digitizing Your Studio
Firstly, don’t freak out. The good news is that many teachers already work digitally and swear by it! In fact, when we were moving to Austria, I enjoyed a short-lived fantasy that I could retain much of my beloved California studio and simply teach digitally. While we eventually decided against this (needed to pull off that bandaid *tear*), it was an idea I absolutely considered in a time of a non-pandemic crisis. So let’s get started.
What You’ll Need
All Teaching Books
Take out all of your teaching books as you probably use your student’s copies at lessons. Have them handy on your stand.
Tripod
Probably the one new appliance you need to purchase: a tripod for your iPad/phone to rest on while you’re teaching. These help immeasurably and are also great for self-recording videos. Basically, you’ll also use it even after this situation has simmered down. Steve, our in-house tech expert, recommends these: Fugetek (US) or Avaspot (EU), but there are many on the market that all do more-or-less do the same thing.
We recommend using a tablet or iPad because of the screen size!
ZOOM Video App
After experimenting with various options, I have found that ZOOM is by far the best tool for teachers to use for digital lessons. Follow the instructions on their site to create an account and then simply send a “meeting” link to families at the start of your lesson. This may feel tricky at first, but you’ll get used to it after a few uses.
Lesson Notes
Keep notes during each lesson of the assignments for the coming week as well as commentary, repetition amounts, metronome markings, etc. Send this document as a PDF to families after teaching so that everybody is on the same page.
Schedule
The coronavirus will be very upsetting and disruptive to children across the world. None (or very few) of us have lived through something like this before, so tensions are running high. Children are wildly perceptive and will feel this. Therefore, maintaining the family and studio’s music schedule is vital to preserve a semblance of normalcy. Do not change your schedule, rather keep it exactly as is. This will also prevent you from tearing your hair out with scheduling issues. But in all honesty, I might be tempted to reschedule my youngest students for the morning time. Children are more alert and families have the remainder of the day to practice. However, this is up to you. The key is consistency. If you do change your schedule, only do it once.
2-Week Update: I added 5 minutes in between all lessons to accommodate the added time it takes to connect digitally (sending the link, dealing with any sound issues, etc.). That has been very helpful so that there is a bit more wiggle room with the often challenging addition of so much technology!
Keep Calm
Remember to smile and create a calm environment. Refrain from speaking to parents about this “disaster” and how “crazy” everything is. This will not help children have a productive lesson, but stoke their fears.
Water/Snacks
Typically, we have small moments in between lessons to get up, walk around, wash our hands, or take a sip of water. Since teaching digitally may mean sitting for longer periods of time, make sure to stay hydrated and drink every 15 minutes. Have smoothie drinks (I used to love the Trader Joe yogurt smoothies for teaching) nearby to keep you energized and alert, which may be harder on a screen than in person.
Written Statement
Once you’ve made your decision with regard to time length (I would highly recommend following what the PUBLIC schools are doing), prepare a written statement to send to all studio families with information relevant to your studio’s digitization. The more organized, the better. Do not entertain conversations with parents who disagree with your decision. These are the steps we ALL must take to flatten the curve. It is a moral imperative.
Cozy Chair
This may seem like a strange one, but trust me, when you’re sitting in the same position staring intently at a screen for hours on end, the comfort of your chair becomes essential. The first week of digital teaching, I used a bench. What a mistake! By week 2, I had pulled my coziest chair at the studio up to the piano and my goodness WHAT A DIFFERENCE!
Best paired with: slippers & fleece blanket :)
Take Care of Yourself
Drink water every 15 minutes (your can flush down the virus with water, dehydration leads to the virus heading into your respiratory system)
Eat immune boosting foods/drinks, like cranberry juice, mushrooms, broccoli sprouts and ginger
Stay at home. Here’s the truth: we are safe at home!! Watch movies, play instruments, take some hikes, go for a bike ride. This will eventually end, so let’s make the most of our time with loved ones while we have it!
Wash hands constantly
Call family and friends to make sure they’re following these guidelines and have everything they need, especially elderly neighbors who may need you to bring them food so it’s easier for them to keep quarantine. For anybody in your life who lives alone or may just be struggling to deal with this situation, these calls are really a lifeline.
Make a list of projects to work on at home. Ideas: organize your closets, Marie Kondo some categories (put everything of one category i.e. pencils/pens into a pile, organize them, discard broken ones, donate ones your don’t like anymore, and put them back into their home), try some new recipes, CLEAN!, paint, watch movies, cuddle your pets. We got this!
Daily Movement. Move your body, take a hike, get some Vitamin D, or do a home workout with Melissa Wood Health.
Help those around you who may need it! One very easy task is to bring groceries to elderly neighbors. Even amongst friends and family, you might be surprised who needs a helping hand. Be present. Catch up with old friends. Communication is key to not feel alienated. Life continues.
WE GOT THIS!
These preventative measures work when we all agree to them. This is not a time to be cavalier. This is not a time to take advantage of low flight costs. This is not a time to complain about how you won’t get refunded for a spring break trip you had to cancel. This is not a time to call the media hysterical. We will ALL be worried about people in our lives who are at risk for contracting this virus. We will ALL be hit financially. We must ALL work together to keep our society safe for ALL of its members. We must ALL follow the guidelines.
Speaking to my aunt last night about the sweeping, unilateral changes so many organizations like the NBA have taken to flatten the curve - I feel very proud of humanity right now. Schools are shutting down. Big firms are sending people to work from home, small businesses are closing until further notice, and music teachers are DMing our Instagram account asking how they can best digitize and prevent the spread of corona. BRAVO! Let’s keep up the good work.
In solidarity,
Samantha Steitz