Due to covid-19, students have been doing online learning since Spring of 2020. With this new method of content delivery comes challenges that we aren’t accustomed to. For students, being home all day and staring at a computer can be challenging. It also has a negative effect on their psyche, making them less motivated to do their work and turn things in.
“I find it more difficult to stay focused on Zoom than in a classroom.” Said Collin Gorcey, a student at Ironwood Ridge High School (IRHS). This has been the case for many students and it is a result of something called Zoom fatigue, which is virtual meeting burnout. While there has not been any specific research done on students and youth, according to Blind Polls: Zoom Fatigue – Blind Blog – Workplace Insights (teamblind.com) over 27.4% of professionals are doing other things while waiting for their name to be called in Zoom meetings. Another 27.2% are actively paying attention but silent and 26% are trying to pay attention but zoning out. Often students, like older professionals, either turn off their camera and do something else, or are working on homework for other classes and not paying attention to lectures. This may be the reason many students have fallen behind in classes.
Mrs. Travis, an English Teacher at IRHS says, “Online learning has been very difficult. Teachers are doing a job they were never trained for. Like the students, this has been a huge learning curve and we are all working harder than ever.” She also states that “In the classroom, we are all together in a group and on the same page, but with online learning, people can be anywhere, and often traveling in their cars.”
Teachers across campus attest to seeing students either still in bed during their first class, or in their car up and about. Students also have easy access to their phones which is a major drawback to distance learning. When in school, students are often asked to put their phones away and they do so, but when online, students can easily use their phone out of the camera’s sightline.
Steven Aske, a Senior at IRHS says, “I would say online learning has definitely affected some of the social aspects for me. Along with that, it can be hard to focus at home with all of my electronics nearby… but so far I’ve been able to keep up.”
Being at home for schooling has been a major challenge for many students. It is easy to become distracted and not pay attention. Try to pay attention during classes by staying away from your phone, TV, and games. To avoid Zoom fatigue, doctors recommend walking around or going outside between classes. Doing these things can help keep your mind focused while on zoom for long periods of time.
