Share Your Zoom Setup
Create and photograph a kid friendly Zoom setup with tidy background, camera angle, lighting, and microphone; describe tips and share with classmates.
Step-by-step guide to Share Your Zoom Setup
Step 1
Clear your desk and the floor in front of your background so the space looks tidy and ready for a video call.
Step 2
Choose a plain wall or hang your cloth behind the desk to make a calm non-distracting background.
Step 3
Put only the items you need for a call on the desk like a notebook a pen and a water bottle.
Step 4
Raise your camera to eye level using books or a box so your eyes are centered in the frame.
Step 5
Sit so the light from the window or lamp shines on your face and not from behind you.
Step 6
Put on your headphones or place your microphone close enough to pick up your voice clearly.
Step 7
Add one small tidy decoration like a plant or a small stuffed toy to make the background friendly.
Step 8
Ask an adult to take a test photo or use a timer to check that your head and shoulders are in the frame and the background looks tidy.
Step 9
Write three short tips in your notebook that explain your background choice camera angle and lighting.
Step 10
Take a final photo that shows your setup and place your written tips next to it so both the picture and tips are visible.
Step 11
Share your finished creation on DIY.org so your classmates can see your setup and learn from your tips.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
I don't have a cloth to hang behind my desk or headphones — what can I use instead?
Use a plain bedsheet, poster, or large piece of paper instead of the cloth, and use ear buds or your device's built-in microphone placed close to your mouth if you don't have headphones.
My test photo shows my face in shadow or my camera angle is awkward — how do I fix that?
Move your desk so the window or lamp shines on your face (not behind you), raise the camera to eye level with books or a box, and retake the test photo to check the framing.
How can I adapt this activity for younger or older kids?
For younger children, have an adult help raise the camera with books or a box, take the test photo, and write one short tip in the notebook, while older kids can add more tidy decorations and write three detailed tips before sharing on DIY.org.
How can we personalize or improve the final setup and photo for sharing on DIY.org?
Add one small tidy decoration like a plant or name card that matches your background, place your written three tips next to the final photo, and include both a wide shot and a close-up so classmates can see details.
Watch videos on how to Share Your Zoom Setup
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Facts about video conferencing for kids
🧹 A tidy, simple background helps people focus on you — busy rooms can distract viewers during a video chat.
🎥 Most webcams record at 720p or 1080p — good lighting helps even a lower-res camera look sharp!
📐 Place your eyes about one-third from the top of the frame and keep the camera at eye level for a friendly, natural look.
💡 Soft, front-facing light (like from a lamp or window) reduces shadows and makes your face glow on camera.
🎧 Using headphones or a headset cuts echo and background noise, so your voice sounds clearer to classmates.
How do I set up and photograph a kid-friendly Zoom setup to share with classmates?
What materials do I need to create a child-friendly Zoom setup and take photos of it?
What ages is the Share Your Zoom Setup activity suitable for?
What safety and privacy tips should I follow when kids photograph and share their Zoom setups?
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