5 Scientific Tips to Beat Zoom Fatigue
24th March 2022
Zoom fatigue, online fatigue, digital fatigue – you can call it anything! Very common nowadays, especially while teaching English online, you need to teach your learners via online only.
Now, the time is for long day of back-to-back zoom calls. Since the pandemic hit us, digitalization has become more prevailing. After taking back-to-back zoom calls or sessions, you notice your back is stiff, your eyes are sore, and you feel actively and emotionally drained. So, how to manage this situation? Let us find out!
Zoom fatigue is real. Experts say it’s because technology is overtaxing on our brain. Fortunately, there are helpful steps educators can take to prevent it.
Signs You’ve Zoom Fatigue
Have you experienced these signs of Zoom Fatigue? Find out ---
If these sounds familiar, you might be suffering from Zoom fatigue.
Major Causes of Zoom Fatigue
Here are the major causes of zoom fatigue -----
- Too Much Eye Contact
- Lack of Movement
- No Nonverbal Prompts
- Increase in Cognitive Load
Proven Tips to Get Rid of Zoom Fatigue
Let’s explore ways to help overcome Zoom fatigue ---
1. Try Blended Teaching
A recent Salesforce Connected Student Report shows that learners are favoring blended learning approaches nowadays. This includes face-to-face, live online webinar, quizzes, video, podcasts and surveys. This also provides a wealthier learning experience. Blended teaching also produces flexibility and the ability to cater to numerous learning styles. Eventually reducing fatigue and increasing engagement.
2. Use Collaboration Tools
Luckily, zoom has its own instinctive, free, whiteboard tool. It’s convenient for situations where students and teachers only need basic whiteboard features. However, if you’re looking for more cutting-edge features, nowadays numerous whiteboard collaboration tools, such as Miro or Mural, now integrate with Zoom.
3. Engaging Content
Try to break up your live online webinars with various examples, practical activities, videos and other communicating fundamentals. Don’t rely on a boring series of PowerPoint slides.
Use different free tools that come with video conferencing software like polls, voting, whiteboards as well as breakout rooms.
4. Focus on Physical Health
Well, spending so much additional time on computers/laptops can take a physical toll on your eyes and bodies. Try to have an ergonomic chair and take a standing break at least every 45 minutes. Between 20 and 40 minutes, stretch your eyes. Breaks are a great way to relax and boost your inventiveness, giving you energy, and getting your creative juices flowing.
5. Avoid Multitasking
We understand that teachers are incredible at multitasking. Hence, it is alluring to check an email, plan ahead, or even check personal accounts while exclusively online. To avoid Zoom fatigue, it is important that you pay attention to students as well.
Conclusion
When you become able to teach English online with a TEFL certificate, try these techniques to overcome the zoom fatigue. As zoom fatigue is a relatively new phenomenon, we would love to hear your suggestions as well!
