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The changing education scene and how XSplit VCam can help

We’d like to share with you how the education scene is changing and how XSplit VCam can help you improve your online education experience.

Are you ready for the shift? Everything is going digital these days, and that includes education. We are constantly looking for ways on how to help improve students’ learning and teachers’ experiences through our software offerings.

One of the biggest challenges during these times is transitioning traditional education practices into online learning. Previously, there was an option for traditional face-to-face learning in schools, homeschool, and online learning.

Currently, looks like the viable avenues of learning have dwindled down to prioritize online learning. This also entices the parents to be part of their children’s learning process.

While we cannot use the current circumstance and the pandemic to hinder the pursuit of learning. We face the reality that not everyone is lucky to have devices and access to the internet to pursue it.

Teachers, not just the students, also suffer the same problem. Not all school districts have the support to provide equipment for their teachers. Thus, teachers try to find creative ways to solve this problem.

It also means that we have to look for software that can make online education and communication easier and convenient.

There is a lot of free software available on the internet. What varies is the quality of said software and the level of after-sales service provided thereafter.

In this article, we’d like to share how the education landscape is changing and how good background removal software like XSplit VCam can help both students and teachers in their new digital classroom experience.

Creation of online education content

At this time, there are two kinds of people making educational content online – (1) existing content creators, and (2) teachers.

These are content creators who are already on their chosen platforms. They create content to share knowledge in the form of DIYs, practical tutorials, and reviews.

Teachers and other education professionals create online materials that want to share their knowledge. They are those who are transitioning from traditional learning avenues to online video and streaming.

Shifting from traditional face-to-face learning to online

Advantages:

Shifting from traditional to online learning is a safer approach to learning during the pandemic. It lessens the physical contact with individuals who might or not have the virus.
Teachers and educators can now shift from their traditional ways of teaching. They upgrade their teaching methods with modern technology, as needed.
This creates an opportunity for educators to explore and learn more. Exploring online tools, free and/or paid, to be able to effectively improve their skills.
They learn new skills and are adept at using apps and platforms that students use to make their lessons more engaging.

While there are a lot of advantages, there are also disadvantages to the current online education set-up.

Disadvantages:

Not everyone has the financial capability and the right resources to shift into online learning. There are free software versions available and there are those paid ones as well.
If you have a device on hand, is the device is compatible with the apps needed for online learning? It has to at least run the required apps at bare minimum settings.
The Internet connection can also be hell. Connectivity is also an essential part of the online learning experience. But not everyone has access to it. A stable connection is a luxury that normal low-income families cannot afford.
We also have to take into consideration the learning curve for teachers who are not so adept with technology. Most have been so used to traditional learning practices; it can take time before they fully immerse themselves into online teaching.
And lastly, the most challenging part of teaching online is how to hold the attention of the students during class. If holding their attention was a challenge during face-to-face learning, how much of a challenge will it be now when distraction is an alt-tab away.

At first glance, it can be disheartening to know that there are more disadvantages than advantages at this point in the transition. But this is merely a learning curve that we can overcome, the education sector can overcome this challenge for those who are pursuing their education in these tough times.

Classroom creativity

Getting creative with how you can present your lessons differently can be a challenge for educators. It takes a lot of time and effort to create something physically. What more to make things digital pleasing and interesting for their students.

This opens an opportunity for teachers to explore the use of new methods. Try out new tools to make their lessons fun and engaging.

Say, using a background removal tool during an online class and replace your background with something interesting – it could be from changing your class’ background theme for the week, or as the teacher presenting the lesson, you can share a YouTube video of the topic in discussion for the day. The choices can be endless, it only depends on the person’s creativity on what more you can do with the software of choice. XSplit VCam can help with easily changing up the background, either by blurring out some distracting parts of your workspace, removing it totally, or replacing it with another interesting image.

Uses for XSplit VCam in education

Make your online class interesting with changing backgrounds

Freelancers know this more than anyone, the stress of not having a good space for that very important video call. Not everyone is fortunate to have a separate office space with a sleek background setting. Most of us are likely to only have the living room or kitchen as a background. Not to mention, our bedrooms; no matter how clean and tidy you can get it, it’s simply not appropriate for a meeting set up. XSplit VCam can help effectively and visually transform your background into something more appropriate.

XSplit VCam is one addition to our suite of software that caters to improve your video calls, meetings, and conferences by having the option to blur, remove, and even replace your background.

XSplit VCam for blurring, removing, and replacing your background.

Imagine the stress of our educators, who’ve prepared for their lessons. And also struggle to use new technology to maximize their efficiency in teaching online. XSplit VCam helps in making sure that your online class set-up is professional looking and less stressing on how distracting your background can be.

Improve video calls with a little tech experience

Another advantage of using XSplit VCam is that once you’ve set it up on your computer, you can easily use it in any communication software of choice by choosing XSplit VCam as your camera source.

Zoom

Google Meet

Discord

If you’ve tried XSplit VCam in your online communications, we’d love to know your thoughts on how you liked it. Our support team is available 24/7 through chat support for any questions and verification you might have with the software.

Adjusting to Our New Normal

Before anything else, we’d like to ask, how’s everyone doing?

The current circumstance we’re living in is quite a total shift from what we have been used to. The past few weeks have been quite a struggle to most. To the more privileged ones, a time that allows for slowing down and relaxation. I’m not here to talk about social disparity but to share what I have learned through these past days. These days of coping with the changes in our routines, how we adapted to the current. Thus creating a new normal – if not for all, at least for what I have experienced.

We’re all experiencing a new way of living during this pandemic, nobody really knows when this will end. What we know is that we have to move forward and not settle on the negatives. The what we cannot have at the moment – but take into full grasp what we can do to make things better.

The new normal, in the financial world, is something we can refer to the time of a financial crisis during and after a recession. Something that was usually abnormal but has now become commonplace in society. For example, practices that most people don’t do pre-pandemic has now become something so normal that we do today.

What’s good about humans is we learn to adapt for survival. Adjusting can be very challenging, but we can overcome and transform it into new conformity that makes coping easier.

We’re seeking normality, adapting our old routines to something better and more suitable at this time of social-physical distancing. Some of such are turning physical activities into digital ones. Herein listed are some of the things that, we think, have had a major shift – there could be more but we’ll stick to these for now.

Working from home

Working from home or remote work was once something only freelancers or specific remote workers do. It wasn’t something that’s normal for us in the workforce. We usually get up early to prepare for our workday, commute and perform our tasks within the confined space of office space.

Some companies are now realizing the fact that some components of their current systems can be transformed. The employees who were once confined into a cramped space of an office can now work from anywhere and not disrupt their productivity and company operations.

Working from home also means that you need to simplify your work routine, with the kind of stress that we are experiencing, the more complicated tasks can be – the more unlikely we are to complete those tasks. A simplified workflow can be achieved by setting a goal for yourself for the day; setting a manageable schedule with the main task, and subsidiary tasks that can easily be accomplished through a smooth transition or flow. Easing in from one task to the next. We might be working from home, but it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take your breaks. Pacing yourself through your workload can be essential to complete your task. We listed a few things that might be helpful for you on this blog post right here – where we also talk about working from home and remote work.

Digital catchups

We are now at a time where we are shifting from physical meetings to digital events. We are realizing that meetings can be done remotely! We’ve had that meeting that could’ve been an email; but in this time of the pandemic, you still kinda miss your colleagues when you still had the chance to have those face-to-face meetings.

Now, you have to admit that nobody has the perfect backdrop when it comes to online meetings right? You might be settled in your bedroom with less than desirable surroundings. Sufficient lighting might be lacking, or have your room cluttered with laundry that you’ve yet to fold. Unless you’re a hardcore content streamer and have the space and equipment; you’re like the rest of us who are struggling to find that perfect space for your (video) meeting.

But fret no more, XSplit VCam has been a lifesaver for our team’s weekly video conference calls? You can use this app to blur, remove, or replace your background at ease, it’s also quite compatible with most video conferencing applications most used by businesses and individuals across the globe. Check out the link to know more.

E-learning and streaming services

Individuals and businesses today are turning into streaming to get their information across. There are more businesses who are launching online learning programs during these past few weeks compared to the previous months. It’s main goal is to encourage more people to enroll and learn things during the quarantine. Gone are the days that you need to travel long distances to attend a seminar or a talk, some of these are free.

Streaming is not solely used for broadcasting video gameplays anymore. More and more are getting into streaming services to expand their brand reach and awareness. We can say that the way we’re doing our business now is shifting into a more digital sphere.

More than streaming videos and movies, e-learning services and online seminars are becoming more proliferating now more than ever. Businesses also have been offering their services through webinars and sharing their knowledge on how streaming content can enhance your reach and expand your brand. We’ve tried a hand of this ourselves when our team handled a webinar dedicated to teaching people how streaming can grow your business.

Online shopping and secure online banking services

Not being able to go out of our homes to purchase what we need, online shopping has become a necessary service that we never thought of. Shifting our consumer habits from the touch before you buy to getting almost anything you need through the internet.

You have to agree with me when I say that online shopping is a lifesaver. Although some courier services might be limited depending on your location and there might be a little delay in deliveries due to high demand – you could say that online shopping is one thing that we did not realize that can be something efficient and essential.

Playing more games and getting creative

There was a time that people say that playing video games can be a waste of time, well certainly not this time. We’re seeing a lot of people growing an appreciation for Animal Crossing on the Nintendo Switch, a far cry from previous years that even normal people get into the hype for a new game but it didn’t hang on long enough. People are playing more video games that is not limited to those on the PC; but also on consoles like the PS4 among many others.

Not only are video games a part of our daily quarantine life but it is starting an appreciation for content creators who share game walkthroughs in VOD or live broadcasts. Facebook Gaming (fb.gg), for instance, has been growing quite rapidly in 2019. In the Verge article, it mentioned that fb.gg has made it easier for anyone to start streaming.

More than Facebook Gaming, software like XSplit Gamecaster has made setting up a stream easier and more efficient for newbies and seasoned content creators alike. Whereas, editing a highlight stream can be made faster with XSplit Express Video Editor. We wouldn’t want to toot our own horn, but give these apps a chance and let us know what you think.

A shift in priorities and self-care

We might be one of the lucky ones, who are lucky enough to be able to work from home and have an income during the pandemic. We have to realize that not everyone has the same privilege. While we are at home taking care of ourselves and our family, there are those who are not able to take care of themselves and support a living during a challenging time.

We implore our readers to be compassionate to those who are not as blessed as the privileged few. We need to understand that people can have different opinions and priorities at this time, and we also have different ways of how we take care of ourselves – physically and most especially, mentally.

Interview with Felicia Day, and how she streams tabletop with XSplit

Felicia Day’s body of work is well known throughout the geek-o-sphere! Creating seminal web series – The Guild – watched by millions worldwide; to pioneering tabletop live streams on Twitch, or starring in cult hits such as Supernatural, The Magicians, and Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

We had a chance to catch up with her, before she kicks off a new series of D&D live streams with an all-star cast of familiar faces. Join us as we dive into the challenges of live streaming tabletop games. She shares her history of using XSplit, as well as some sage advice that may help guide your own eventual D&D stream in the future!

What is it about tabletop that you think translates so well to a live-streamed format?

I think that the live format works best for gaming like D&D just like it works best for comedy improv. The spontaneity of the moments is more believable when you can SEE people making things up! When you edit things into smaller, more polished videos, the audience starts to feel like it was all staged, even if it was made up on the spot. Also, some live moments are hilarious in person (or on live stream) but don’t seem as funny later, when you’re not actually in the crowd.

What challenges have you faced translating a game to a live stream when you can’t have everyone in the same room?

Other than tech issues, which are ALWAYS an issue with live streaming, not having everyone in the same room playing is challenging because there’s a natural chemistry between people. If you can read other peoples’ facial expressions and anticipate someone speaking, you can build on what they’re doing easier for story and jokes. Remotely, you kind of have to find a different kind of rhythm for not talking over each other as well. The good thing is that The Guild has been together since 2007, so we have shortcuts between each other that help overcomes hurdles faster than a new group would.

You’ve been using XSplit for a while now for your streams, why is that?

I first started streaming in the fall of 2014, so a LONG time ago! I did it while I was running a big company called Geek and Sundry. It was a personal outlet where I wanted to get in touch with my internet roots. Because I was so busy, I didn’t have a lot of bandwidth to figure out the tech of it all. In searching for ways to stream simply and easily, XSplit stood out among the options as most turnkey. I’m so glad I did! Five+ years later I’m still going strong!

You’re going to be producing some live D&D streams soon, can you tell us about what and who we can expect?

I am going to be producing 4 D&D streams with The Guild cast on Sundays at 7pm PST on my twitch.tv/feliciaday channel! I’m thrilled to be able to bring the cast together after many years of not making videos! We did a charity stream last month that raised 40k and couldn’t wait to get the gang back together for more! DM Amy Vorhpal is so funny, the streams will be a riot I’m sure! Thank you to XSplit for sponsoring and giving us the ability to do this 4 episode story arc!!!

Finally, what advice would you give to someone looking to start their own D&D stream?

I would urge people to innovate from what other people do if they can. Standing out in a crowded field requires imagination and incredible chemistry between players. But don’t hold back on just streaming for fun if you don’t have a genre-cracking idea right away!

You need to make your content as unique as you are. But sometimes we have to try simpler things before reinventing the wheel. Watch what other people are doing who are successful in the field.

Think about what your own version would be and what different twists you could put on it. And have fun first and foremost! You won’t go the distance without having an organic connection with what you’re creating. If you start streaming D&D because you want fame or money or followers, you’ll burn out and quit fast. Do what you love first, that way you’ll stick with it and learn from everything you do!

The Guild D&D 4 Part Adventure Arc kicks off May 17 at 7:00 P.M PST, and will be running every Sunday until June 7 on twitch.tv/feliciaday. Join Felicia Day and an all-star cast featuring Sandeep Parikh, Amy Okuda, Jeffrey Lewis, Robin Thorson, Vince Caso with Amy Vorpahl as DM.

Stop waiting for the perfect moment, and start streaming now

We’re now in 2020. New year, new me? Or finally, the year where you start streaming? So what’s stopping you from creating the content that you want?

Fear is an obstacle that everyone faces regardless of profession. Whether it be fear of failing or rejection, or not being good enough for our chosen path – even the fear of the unknown can play a role in you pursuing or not the things that you plan or want to do. They say that you can never be fully ready unless your mind is determined to push through it.

We talk a lot about streaming on the blog and how we can help content creators make the most engaging content there is with our software. You may be a skeptic, why streaming? Should you do it too? I mean, why not right? In previous articles, we’ve made lists on what else you can stream, what to say in-camera, things to check before every stream and many more to help you get started.

Now, let’s chat about why you should be streaming and why you should do it now. No more excuses.

It’s all about the timing

When are you ready to start your streaming journey? Is there such a thing as perfect timing? Personally, if you’re lucky, yes there might be perfect timing, but for the not so lucky people on earth, we need to create opportunities and make that perfect timing ourselves!. When there is none, we create one.

Waiting is a waste of time. Again, it depends on luck on whether we receive a sign that will prompt us to start doing what we’re supposed to do. Issac Newton had the opportunity to discover the law of gravity when an apple fell on his head. But Einstein created a new study where he studied gravitational waves that do not exist in Newton’s law of gravity. Same with content creators, some are lucky to receive an opportunity to discover but most of us must create those opportunities ourselves because it cannot be made for us. Pave our own way and start this adventure with one step at a time.

In the wise words of Nike, just do it.

Regret

You don’t want to be that person who keeps on referencing the past, right? If only you started this back then, and it might have grown to be something bigger by this time. Most of us have gone through the same experience, the same conversation in our minds with the what-ifs and what could’ve been. The regret is killing us slowly, figuratively.

We, humans, have a thing for the past. We love to reminiscence and explore the what-ifs – what if I did this or that when I was younger, we can only imagine the possible outcomes. Reality is, not to burst your bubble, it will all remain an idea if you don’t do something about it. You’d love to explore the options but are too scared to actually put things into action. That’s what separates the successful people of this generation – putting things into action and taking the risk of doing what they want to do. If it fails, then it fails – you cannot change that. But the lesson here is that you have no regrets because you were able to do it anyway.

Be brave enough to do the things you’d want to do, if it fails then it’s bound to fail. It’s up to us if we want to stand up and make it better. There will be no more room for regrets since we’ve done it! No more what-ifs or it could’ve been me.

Who is your audience

People are intimidated to start their streaming journey because they feel that they have no audience. Who will watch my stream? Would I look like a loser and stream with no viewers?

It depends on your purpose – who are you streaming for?

Some are looking into streaming and building a community around it. There are also those who stream because it’s fun and it doesn’t matter whether they have viewers or not. Essentially, it’s up to you.

Share your knowledge

If you stream, what benefit can you give the audience aside from humor and entertainment? Most gamers tend to stream for fun and showcase their game experience. But underneath the fun is sharing how they play a game.

Gamers show their progression in the game, how to complete quests and tasks, where to farm an item and how to defeat a difficult boss.

Game streaming is more than playing a game, it is also a way to share knowledge and strategy without you knowing. Ingenious eh?

Have fun

What matters most is that you’re having fun and you enjoy what you do. At the end of the day, it’s your happiness and fulfillment that truly matters.

We at XSplit encourage content creators to continue making awesome content – not just for games but in entirety. Might it be for personal use or for professional/business, you can try our software and see which one fits your needs.

Start creating today and don’t let your fears stop you from becoming the person that you aspire to be.

If you have any questions about our software, you can contact us at xsplit.com/support or join us on our socials: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Discord.