Audience
This article is intended for faculty and students who are teaching and learning in person while wearing face coverings
Tips
The following tips have been provided by Carol McAmis, Retired Professor of Music Performance at Ithaca College
Carol provided a workshop to faculty returning to teach in person for the Spring 2021 semester. The following are highlights from her presentation.
- Spend a few minutes per day doing vocal exercises such as humming a single tone for several minutes.
- Warm-up before going to class. (Speak with teeth closed and only with lips).
- Slow down your speaking.
- Inhale through your nose.
- Keep hydrated.
- Project “past” the mask and try speaking with a more nasal tone if you have a soft voice.
- Consider a personal ‘amplifier’.
- Focus on articulating consonants.
- Masks: Experiment with different mask materials or consider an “insert." Make sure you adhere to the CDC guidelines for face coverings.
You can also view the PowerPoint slides from her presentation "Being Heard in a Masked Classroom"
Classroom Equipment
Many classrooms were equipped with additional technology during the 2020-2021 academic year to support hybrid instruction. For more information on the equipment and tips for success, we recommend starting with the following articles.
Additional Tips from Cornell's Center for Teaching Innovation
Tips for Hybrid Teaching from Cornell’s CIT
1. Test drive the technology and practice teaching hybrid. This is essential. Test the audio from various student positions in the room and online.
2. It is easy to over-emphasize participation by students in the room at the expense of those online. Create groups of students across modalities - groups that include students who are in the room and students who are online. Assign a TA or student volunteer to monitor this and prompt inclusion.