I’m also staying away from software recommendations because teachers need a lot of different types of software, but much of that is dictated by the school district. Teachers need students with access to computers and bandwidth, however, and there’s a big digital divide issue. Many school districts are requiring at-home teaching but are not providing an equipment allowance, so the things I’ve recommended will likely to be an out-of-pocket expense for you. That said, this is a guide to help you up your game. Where possible, I’ve kept my suggestions within a reasonable budget. For example, you can add an entire green screen kit – with the backdrop, stands, and even the lights – for under $100. I’ve included budget options because you don’t have to have the best gear to get your thoughts and lessons across. When I studied for my Master’s degree in education seven years ago, my thesis was a quest to discover the optimal online video learning experience for the most effective lesson retention. Here’s the TL;DR of my results: It wasn’t about gear. Learning retention, whether online or not, is all about the quality of the lesson and the resources that support learning. It’s not about having the best cables, microphones, lights, and cameras. Let that be an encouragement to all the teachers out there faced with sudden immersion into the world of online learning. Sure, it’s nice to have great equipment (and never underestimate the importance of good sound), but you don’t have to have a blinged-out studio to impart knowledge across the internet. Before we jump into the list, I want to give you one more word of caution: Online teaching jumped from a niche practice to a must-have in just five months. When the pandemic hit, gear became in outrageous demand, and that means a lot of name brand stuff was out of stock. It also means unscrupulous folks were scalping and gouging on price. That seems to have settled down since then, but keep alert. Do not spend extra to get your gear. Either wait or find a lower-cost alternative (which I’ve suggested throughout this piece). Don’t give in to the crooks who want to profit on your mission to keep educating, even from home and even in a pandemic. And now, the gear… So, there you go. Feel free to share your online teaching experiences, tricks, tips, and challenges in the comments below. I’ve been using the Blue Yeti for years and it produces good quality sound reliably. It comes with a number of different pickup patterns, which gives you a bit of versatility in how you use it. The included stand stood me well for years, but I recently upgraded to a boom arm, which I’ll show you in a minute. Buying hint: These are in and out of short supply due to the pandemic. If they’re out of stock in one color, look for another color. Also, don’t let the price gougers get you: this should run about $130 or so, new. Budget option: You can get by with something simple like this budget headset for under $10. It gives you an adequate mic (who are we kidding here?) a headset speaker, and because it’s over-the-head, you don’t need to worry about a stand. Pros
ReliableRock-solidAlways did the job for me
Cons
Sometimes sold by price gougersYou either like the look or you don’t
I’ve used this RODE microphone arm for years. In fact, I have two of them. There’s not much all that exciting to say except it works and has never let me down. Alternate option: The Rode mic stand goes in and out of stock. An alternative of similar quality is the Blue stand, which pairs nicely to the Blue Yeti I just recommended. Budget option: See my note for the mic headset above. You won’t need a budget boom arm (and you kind of don’t want one, because the last thing anyone wants in the middle of a meeting is to have their mic come crashing down – don’t ask me how I know). Pros
Gets your mic up off your deskGood for making sure your sound is just rightThese models are solid and can support the weight
Cons
This type of stand often gets in the way when not in useThey need to be able to clamp to your desk
The solution is easy. Add a pop filter. There’s no magic to which to use, but I’ve found this type quite convenient. It’s a relatively low added expense for the benefit it provides. Pros
It makes your “p” sounds sound betterInexpensive fix for a relatively big problem
Cons
It can be a pain to mount to your mic just right
The “other kind” I mentioned is next… Pros
Good quality soundComfortableReasonable for premium brand
Cons
You can find nearly-as-good more inexpensive solutionsThey are unmistakably ugly (as are any full-head cans)Monitors only; no mic for gaming
Pros
Almost invisible on screenCan be adjusted to fitSound quality is…tolerable
Cons
Sound quality is far from fabulousThe kit of tiny little extra parts is a bit overkill for what it does
The fact is, the c920 series is the benchmark webcam. It’s used everywhere, and while some Logitech software sometimes has its ups and downs, you can be pretty sure that if your software supports webcams, it specifically supports this webcam. One final webcam hint: Just because your webcam can do 1080p or even 4K doesn’t mean you need to Your upload bandwidth is likely to be considerably lower than your download bandwidth, so you may want to go with 720p at 15 frames per second. Most home cable feeds can handle that, but not much more. Premium option: The Logitech BRIO is nice, but it’s generally overkill for Zoom meetings. Plus 4K takes a lot of upload bandwidth, so you may be dropping it down to c920 levels anyway. Budget option: Your laptop and phone both come with cameras. Use them and save some money. Pros
Supported by just about everythingReasonable video qualitySolid and reliable
Cons
Logitech webcam software can be frustratingSometimes hard to get; watch out for price gouging
This one fits the bill. I like the fact that it’s got a quick release camera mount as well as quick release legs. It comes with a smartphone adapter and a bag. What else is there to say? It’s a tripod. Budget option: This tripod is pretty budget all on its own, but if you want to go real basic, pile up a stack of books. Tape your camera to a folding ladder or the back of a chair. Hot glue it to a shelf. I’ve done all of these and they do work. Just not as conveniently as a tripod. Pros
Cheap enoughAdded smartphone adapterComes with a bag
Cons
Do not use this for heavy filming rigsLimited to four pounds of loadNo center hook for hanging a stabilizing weight
Budget options: Raid your attic and linen closet. Find old moving blankets, comforters, fuzzy blankets, anything soft that can blunt the noise. Pros
Better sound is more important than you might thinkEasy to put upRelatively inexpensive
Cons
Adhesive backing may damage your paintYou may need a lot more of these than you want to buy or put upThey don’t really fit into room decor
You can see how I used similar curtains to baffle sound in my studio office in this video. Pros
Many different colorsAllows you to match your décorDoesn’t scream “sound baffles”
Cons
You may need to put up curtain rodsTo use them, you have to block out natural lightMight be a challenge to get if you have non-standard window sizes
I actually own two of these Caddie Buddy teleprompters. One is in the workshop and one is in my upstairs studio. While they’re reasonably inexpensive, they’re also pretty solid and definitely do the job. Pros
You can use this to maintain eyeline to the cameraEasy to setupWorks with a standard iPad
Cons
Cumbersome to store when not in useRelatively delicate with large sheets of glassRequires both iPad and compatible teleprompter software
This kit is a great deal. It has all the stuff you’ll need, including lights and a stand. The only problem is that it might require a bit more space than you have available. When I started with my first green screen setup back in Florida, I had a very small space, so I used Autopoles and Super Clamps to hold my lights and I painted a wall in a tiny bedroom. When I built out my temporary studio, I moved to a really cool extendable green screen background from Elgato. I’ll put a link to that below as well, but the kit I’m recommending comes with more than just the green screen. It comes with all the lighting you’ll need to make chromakey work, and for about fifty bucks less. Budget option: You can also go with a simple background decorated from objects around the house. There’s no need to go through all the lighting and positioning challenges if you can simply carve a space with a good on-camera look. In this video on lockdown streaming, for example, all I did was put some of my accumulated geekiness on shelves that came with the house, and it looks pretty good. Pros
Can give you a much more professional lookFull kit of lightingIncludes floor covering so you can do full-body shots
Cons
Requires a relatively large space to set upCan be finicky as heck to get rightTakes a lot of space to store
Budget option: Just use OBS on your computer to do all the processing and mixing. OBS is free, open source, very powerful, and always improving. Pros
This is a full switching system in a tiny boxHas built-in chromakey processingHas many advanced controls via softwareLet’s any camera it supports emulate a webcam for Zoom and Skype
Cons
It’s a bit of a complex setupDoesn’t directly take USB webcams as input sources
Budget option: You don’t need a budget option. A roll of this stuff is under $20 and will last for quite a while. Gaffer tape is definitely your budget option itself because it will save you on tools and gear expenses. Pros
Gaffer tape gives you superpowersYou could probably use it to climb a tall building in a single boundIt holds tight, removes easily, and doesn’t damage or leave a residue
Cons
Not all gaffer tapes are created equal; some are great, others not so much, so try them and testThere is addiction potentialOnce you use gaffer tape once, you’ll want to use it to fix everythingIt will ruin duct tape for you forever; gaffer tape is usually so much better
