tips on being heard

faithful readers will recall many times i have informed the blogging/blog reading public about how retarded people at my school are. well, today i have even more proof (it never ends, really), as we got an email telling us how to use the microphones for the distance "learning" classes. tell me this isn't written for readers ages 4-7, which i guess is actually pretty appropriate. (it was sent to all students, faculty, and staff.)

Greetings,

As you know, the classrooms containing audio-visual telecommunications equipment have all been fitted with “push-to-talk” microphones in order to allow you to better communicate with each other during classes, meetings and other special events.

These high-quality, industry-standard, microphones are designed to be simple to use and, as with much modern electronic equipment, there is no physical button to push per se; instead there is an area on the microphone which, when touched gently, causes the microphone to operate. Only a gentle touch in the correct area is necessary to activate the microphone; there is no need to press hard -- in fact, pressing hard may interrupt the transmission and probably will cause finger fatigue.

By way of a reminder, here are a few guidelines that may make it easier for you to gain the maximum benefit from these microphones:

1. With minimal pressure, touch the microphone in the middle of the word “PUSH” located at the front edge of the device; begin speaking normally

2. Continue to press lightly on this area as you speak

3. Remove your finger when you are finished speaking

A small, green, “tally” light will glow when the microphone is touched, giving you confidence that the microphone is activated.

When the microphone is touched, the room’s camera will be called and will “zoom-in” on you, allowing people at the far end to see more clearly who is speaking.

It is not necessary to pick up the microphone as it works best by remaining flat on the table surface. Picking it up will cause your voice to become distorted and too loud for those at the far end.

I hope this information is helpful and, do, please let me know if you have any questions – I would be delighted to spend some time with you reviewing techniques for using these microphones.

Thanks,

--John