Maia Kelley, Assistant Professor of Math, has been making the most of working remotely by coming up with a new Zoom theme every day for the last three weeks.
“The first couple days I did this, it was just a lark to keep myself amused,” she said.
Before she knew it, Kelley’s Zoom themes were growing in popularity.
“I didn’t intend to do it more than a time or two, but then the screenshots I posted on social media got a lot of interactions from friends and family – some saying they were starting to look forward to it each day.”
Themes have included:
- Abe Lincoln at Gettysburg
- A conspiracy theorist with a conspiracy theory background
- A construction worker at a construction site
- Cowpoke in the Old West
- Elmer Fudd on Looney Tunes
- Heat Miser with Cold Miser
- Joker at the Arkham Asylum
- Lance Armstrong at the Tour de France
- Nemo in the ocean
- Oliver Hardy with Stan Laurel
- A quarterback on a football field
- Robin Hood in a forest
- Rosie the Riveter’s We Can Do It
- A wizard in a magic laboratory
- Zorro with a Z background
Kelley calls these her “Zoom Moods” and rightly so as they are sure to put a smile on anyone’s face during these crazy times.
“Things aren’t easy right now. If seeing my buffoonery gives someone a chuckle for a minute, then they are certainly worth my time to assemble.”
Because her interaction with students is mostly via email or Blackboard’s Collaborate, Kelley sends a summary of all her Zoom Moods from the past week to her students every Monday.
“It’s actually caused a few students who had previously been quiet to respond and update me on how they’re doing. Those who do meet with me get to see me wearing a weird hat with no context which is probably entertaining in a different way. So, again, worth my time.”
Kelley’s colleagues are now joining in on the fun sharing their wig and hat stashes with her.
“This could last a while – consider yourselves warned!”