During these times of remote working and studying at home, staff and students from the School of Anthropology and Conservation are presenting tips and advice on methods and resources that will help us with our productivity and wellbeing. Here, Katrine Burford-Bradshaw, studying on the BSc (Hons) in Wildlife Conservation with A Year in Professional Practice, offers some guidance on using technology to keep in touch with colleagues, friends and family.
“Keeping in touch can be difficult when we’re all self-isolating across different parts of the world. It is important to keep in touch with people for mutual support. Our connected world means there are many ways we can keep in touch using phone, laptops, tablets and more. While we are all familiar with the various platforms, there are many features we didn’t know. The main apps and services are listed below:
Zoom
“Zoom is a licensed piece of videoconferencing software that is payable either on a monthly or annual basis. However, the free version will let you audio or video call multiple people for forty minutes at a time. Provided you stick within the time limit, you can call all your flatmates in one place!
Netflix Party
“Netflix has introduced Netflix Party where users can link up their Netflix accounts and have long-distance movie nights. The film or series plays at the same time for everyone, and there is a chat section where you can discuss what you’re watching and keep the banter flowing.
“One of the most popular messaging apps that is also excellent for making audio and video calls to mobile devices over the internet. Calls cost the same (in terms of data use) wherever you are in the world, so it’s one of the best options for keeping in touch with people abroad.
Skype
“Skype allows you to make video and audio calls, as well as send messages. Unlike WhatsApp, you can call landlines and numbers of people who do not have an account with a particular software application.
“However you do it, make sure you’re staying in touch with loved ones and friends. It is important to maintain connections during this unprecedented time: it will keep yourself and others in good spirits.”
You can read more about Katrine in her student profile.