Here we are at the beginning of the semester and I would like to remind us all that “zoom fatigue” is real. Way back in April and May a proliferation of articles told as us much and yet not much has changed regarding how we use video-conferencing software. As an aspirational arbiter of teaching and learning with technology, I am obliged to remind everyone about this phenomenon and ways to help alleviate it.
First, here are just a few consequences of using this technology:
- communication requires non-verbal cues, online we have to exaggerate these cues
- we feel like we have to always “be on” which can lead to performance anxiety and magnify pre-existing or latent social anxiety
- feelings of alienation and self-consciousness are increased
- trust in others is diminished
We can debate the reasons for why these effects happen – it might be cognitive overload from the 1.2 second delay in video streaming or the breakdown in social connections that are present during face-to-face rituals we take for granted – in any case, the effects are real and we should take them serious.
Most of the articles written about this phenomenon are geared towards business meetings and therefore the suggestions are not always translatable to classroom teaching and learning. For instructors, here are some strategies you might consider incorporating into your teaching:
For instructors:
- shorten required amount of time to “be on” by allowing students to turn off their camera, call in on the phone, or meet in smaller groups rather than whole class
- incorporate text-based communication in lieu of synchronous video including chat, email, and discussion boards
- promote virtual relations among students through collaboration tools rather than video such as shared google docs, Padlet, or Book Creator
- Experiment with different forms of assignments that give students a break from their screens entirely for example writing a hand-written letter or observing a natural phenomenon
For students:
- schedule blocks of “no screen” time and take breaks when you need it
- suggest alternatives to assignments and activities you think might be appropriate
- if you need more support or resources, speak to your academic advisor and/or counseling & psychological services: https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/counseling.
- Know that you are not alone!
For more information or consultation on how to use technology to serve your instructional goals, please contact Joanna Weidler-Lewis, Director of EDUCATE at jrw96 @ psu.edu.
Further Reading and References:
https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200421-why-zoom-video-chats-are-so-exhausting
https://www.fastcompany.com/90502253/why-you-feel-exhausted-from-endless-zoom-calls
https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/zoom-fatigue-is-setting-in-1.5585933
https://www.vidyard.com/blog/zoom-fatigue-tips/
https://hbr.org/2020/04/how-to-combat-zoom-fatigue