Tips and Tricks for Lessonface and Zoom

It's easy to get started on Lessonface!  As explained under 'How to do lessons online', you only need a good internet connection and some basic technology that is likely already built in to your device. 

Once you're comfortable with the basics of video chat and lessons are routine and easy, you might find that some small tweaks and extra knowledge help you get even more out of the experience.

Use your Self-View - That little picture of yourself in the corner of the screen is important!  Use it to make sure you are well-lit and that your teacher can see everything they need to in order to instruct you well.  If you're in a guitar lesson, for example, remember that your teacher needs to see BOTH of your hands.  Find a camera angle and distance from the computer that allows you to sit comfortably and stay in full view even if you shift a bit during the lesson.  

Use your 'Lesson Page' - Every scheduled lesson has it's own page with three tabs: Lesson Notes, Attachments, and Recordings.  Many teachers (myself included) use the Lesson Notes to write a brief re-cap of each lesson, so that the student is clear on the important points and goals for the next class.  Make sure you understand the main points and ask if something doesn't make sense.  Then copy them into your lesson log or practice journal.   Check the Attachments tab if you're expecting sheet music or written material from the teacher, and Recordings if your teacher recorded videos. 

Mute Your Side When the Teacher Records - If videos are a frequent part of lessons, be aware that the system records the side of the lesson with the active mic.  If your teacher is demonstrating something in a video, be sure to mute your side so that the recoding picks up the teacher, not yourself.  To mute, roll your mouse over the Mic Icon, and click it.  It will then appear with a red slash through it.  It's that simple! 

Save Videos to your Archives - You don't have to log on to Lessonface every time you want to view a video from your past lesson!  When you're viewing a video on the platform, right click and select 'Save Video As'  .  Then you can give the video a logical name and save it on your computer.  This is really helpful for flamenco guitar lessons, where we rarely write things down and depend mostly on videos to remember material.  After only a few months of lessons you could have dozens of videos piled up.  You'll want to be able to find what you're looking for quickly, and sometimes you'll need to go back and review material from several months back.  

Use Headphones - If your audio quality is less than ideal, headphones can make a big difference.  They can reduce feedback, echoes, and frequent pauses and interruptions in audio.  They're also generally inexpensive and make a big difference for the money.  For a really optimal audio and video experience, you might consider an external webcam or mic too.  Check out this info on Optional Equipment for Teachers.  It applies to students who want to step up their lesson game too!  

Optimize Your Internet Connection - You might not many options for internet service providers in your area, but you can make the most of what you have.  First of all, test your connection as described here under 'Connection'.  If your connection is slow, try moving your equipment closer to the router and, even better, connecting to the router via ethernet cable.  Also be sure to make the most of your device's capabilities by closing other programs  and applications  during your video chat.  Just keep open Zoom and any documents that pertain to the lesson.  It's easy to do and can make a big difference.