key: cord-0987817-gjightve
authors: Ramesh, Prasanna V; Ramesh, Shruthy V; Ray, Prajnya; Aji, K; Raj, Pragash Michael; Akkara, John D; Ramesh, Meena K; Rajasekaran, Ramesh
title: New-Age innovative pedagogy for virtual ophthalmic webinars with Green Mat technology - A unique communication tool for continuing medical education in e-ophthalmology during the COVID-19 pandemic
date: 2021-12-03
journal: Indian J Ophthalmol
DOI: 10.4103/ijo.ijo_2197_21
sha: 5bc385ef6ea4ccba6723bcfc7e9ab523a422c1e5
doc_id: 987817
cord_uid: gjightve

nan

: Behind the scenes of a green mat presentation in real-time depicting the green screen which displays the slide presentation, which the speaker is presenting and the laptop containing the camera which relays the speaker's figure into the presentation industry and is done by incorporating an image or video into the green background using computer graphics. During this pandemic, we brought this technology into ophthalmic virtual conferences along with Open Broadcaster Software (OBS), which has never been reported in ophthalmic literature before. Using the green mat technology in virtual conferences, provides the presenter with a 'physical podium presentation' feel and makes the slide presentations more interactive, from the audience's point of view, increasing their interest factor in it. For doing this, we have placed the green mat behind the presenter and the keynote/PowerPoint presentation was portrayed in the space which the green mat occupied giving the impression that the presenter is actually in the slide while presenting. This helps the presenter to explain the slide presentation in an easy way, catching the attention of the participants and establishing eye contact with the audience directing them to the place where they have to focus on the slide. A blue color mat can also be used instead of a green color mat. A simple word of caution, though, is to make sure that the presenter is not wearing green/blue or any shades of green/blue (to avoid chroma spilling).

The presenter can present by seeing the presentation on the laptop; and OBS [Figs. 3 and 4] is used simultaneously in a separate display screen to merge the presenter with their slide in the space occupied by the green mat.

The main advantages of using the green mat technology are clarity, interactivity, and creativity. Visual explanations give a much better comprehension of a complicated topic [Figs. 5-7]. Additively, the presenter can customize and move anywhere inside the slide [ Fig. 8 ] while presenting or can place the red box [ Fig. 9 ] accordingly in the OBS to avoid hiding important data. Moreover, it can be easily accessed and practiced by all and the software for installation is free. There is also another simpler way of using this pedagogical technology without using OBS with the settings readily available in the newer version of Zoom. This technology helps in eliminating the trouble of a non-interactive online session because typically, while attending an online session, the presenter will be in a separate space and their presentation will be on the main screen [ Fig. 10 ]. Also, this space of the box occupied by the presenter may cover any part of the slide which may be important for the presentation, whereas using the green mat technology, the presenter can adjust upon need and he can always be viewed by the attendees. The separate space occupied in the presentation in online meetings can be avoided and the full screen can be used or viewed by the participant, with the presenter making it interactive.

With the increasing COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing norms, wearing a mask, and COVID-19 appropriate behavior, has taken away from us the charm of physical interactive sessions, replacing it with virtual e-conferences. This innovative pedagogy with the usages of the green mat technology in virtual Continuing Medical Educations (CMEs) and conferences can bring the charisma of the physical podium presentation and fill in the cognitive communication gaps of interactive conferences and seminars effectively at least till the pandemic gets over.

The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form, the patient(s) has/have given his/her/their consent for his/her/their images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patients understand that their names and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal their identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed.

Nil.

There are no conflicts of interest. 

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