Become Well-Connected!

Remember when the only time we talked about ZOOM was when we were discussing Superman, Tinkerbell or Sonic the Hedgehog?  Well, you’ve come a long way, baby!
 
Now, the word ZOOM can be:

An adjective: “We can connect on a Zoom call.”
A noun: “Let’s use Zoom to conduct the meeting."
And even a verb: “Let’s Zoom at 1:30 Eastern time.”

​Remember, too, when we thought that the only people who hung around computers and got their mail electronically were … ‘geeks?’ (Sorry). As of 2019, the percentage of adults in the U.S. who use the internet looks like this: 

Ages  
18-20: 100% 
30-49:  97%
50-64:  88%
65+:   73%

Since we are now at home more, these numbers are probably higher. In fact, young or old, here or there, retired, working, or simply trying to figure things out, one of the most important basic human needs is CONNECTION, and today more and more of us are relying on technology. ​

​Psychologist Matthew D. Lieberman, professor at UCLA says in his book, Social, that “the human need to connect is as important as the need for food and shelter.” But how are we supposed to connect at this time when we are told to stay home, limit in-person exposure, and wear a mask? 

Enter ZOOM (noun). Don’t sigh and tell me you are tired and bored with the ‘on-line, sitting-at-your-computer-and-watching’ activity. In fact, what was often thought of as impersonal and just too ‘electronic’ has become a rescuer of the lonely, a partner in exercise, an entertainment source, and truly an educational tool for all ages at all stages.

“the human need to connect is as important as the need for food and shelter.”

​I know some people have a love/hate relationship with technology. I know, too, that when you are zooming (verb) you can sometimes feel ‘lost in the crowd.’ But if planned properly, there is a way to host an on-line meeting that can be a lot of fun. 

Let me introduce you to Zoom (adjective) BREAKOUT ROOMS:

When I started talking about this, my friend Suzanne, said, “Hooray! A place to take a break from the tiresome world of Zoom!” Bob, on the other hand, said, “That sounds like a great way to sneak away from the meeting altogether!” But I think you will find Breakout Rooms to be a welcome change from the full meeting.

​I recently attended a conference via Zoom (noun). There were more than 75 people in attendance, and I said my ‘hellos’ to the little rectangles that kept popping up on the screen. Of course, since all of us were muted by the host, I sat at my computer sounding something like this:

“Hello!” “Oh, it’s Joanne – Hi, Joanne!”  “Wait – there’s Gary! Hi, Gary.” I was waving my hand around like an airport runway attendant hoping someone would respond. Of course, they couldn’t hear me. At some point my husband shouted from the other room, “What? Are you talking to me?” Finally, I had to settle for my greeting being a yellow emoji hand-wave in the corner of my rectangle.  

​The meeting officially opened. After we heard the introductions and the agenda, we listened to the invited speaker. Then, just as I was searching for when the first pause in the program would be, the host said, “Ok, now we are going to go to BREAKOUT ROOMS.” 

Let’s think about this for a moment here. When you (used to) go to a big gathering of folks, how many people do you actually get to speak with? How often do you introduce yourself to someone you don’t know? When does everyone in the meeting actually get to speak up and share?

​The real secret to keeping safe from Zoomitis (yes, even a new word!) is Breakout Rooms. Here’s how it works: The ‘host’ of your Zoom meeting has the control button titled “Breakout Rooms” along the bottom of the screen. Once pressed, this offers the chance to create new, smaller rooms in which to connect, based on the number of people per room requested and the duration of time spent there. In my case, we were often broken into no more than four per room, usually for 8-10 minutes, depending on the assignment.

The real secret to keeping safe from
Zoomitis is Breakout Rooms.

​You, the participant, don’t have to do anything except wait. You will be automatically transferred (‘Beam me down, Scotty!’) to the room where you have been assigned. When these rooms are used to enhance a discussion, it is a way for the host of the meeting to give participants a chance to share their thoughts as well as hear what others felt about what was just experienced.

​ It can also be used as an idea exchange for the next step in a project. Sometimes I’ve used breakout rooms for Newcomers to our city. In this case, there was not really an assignment – more of a ‘meet and greet’ with starter questions like “Where are you from?” and “What do you miss most about where you last lived?” It’s so nice to be greeted by just four larger rectangles. Each person gets two minutes to talk, and usually the discussion takes off from there. 

Maybe you will find that Emily used to live in Denver – and knows your cousin! Or Frank moved here to retire and is thinking about starting a small business from home, or that Bob and his wife are filmmakers who decided this is the perfect city for a movie! Whatever the topic, each person has a chance to be heard. Once the time runs out, and by the way you’ll have a countdown clock visible so that everyone gets a chance to speak, then… Zoom! (verb) you are automatically ‘sent back’ to that place with all the little rectangles. It’s like magic! (“Beam me back up, Scotty!”)

You need connection. Technology is here to stay
​and how you use it is up to you.

​The point is that you can spend your time online in a large gathering and feel like you’ve watched TV for an hour, or you can come away knowing you really accomplished something, met new friends, and /or felt like you made your ideas and needs heard.

​You need connection. Technology is here to stay, and how you use it – or grumble about its challenges – is up to you. So, to help my image of being ‘an Influencer,’ and to make you look really smart and tech-savvy, here are 4 tips for your trip around Zoom:

 4 Tips for your Trip Around Zoom

1. Join Zoom (noun) www.zoom.us. There is no charge to join.
2. Learn how to schedule a Zoom meeting. (Follow the posted instructions) Remember there is no charge for conducting meetings under 40 minutes.
3. Explore how to Zoom into breakout rooms. Remember that the purpose is to allow a lot of people to get to know each other/work together in smaller groups. And the extra plus is that you will really look smart and geeky.
4. Understand that you may stumble but keep trying. Realize that any use of technology – including Zoom - takes patience, but it is worth it. The rewards are great, and you will really impress your friends, your kids – and especially your grandkids.

Invite me to your large meeting. I just might stop by – as long as you promise
​ to include Breakout Rooms.    
 
May the Force Be With You!

 Loretta