E-learning fatigue is the new symptom of this new normal. The spread of the pandemic and the accompanying restrictions of social distancing among others is leading major universities and schools to reinvent their approach to teaching and learning. If you look through the news for the past few weeks, there will be a plethora of articles talking about various universities adopting an e-learning approach till the situation improves.

While virtual learning is becoming a norm, coming with it is e-learning fatigue. Invariably, all the stakeholders including the students, faculty as well as institutional bodies are exploring ways to effectively deal with this e-learning fatigue. The objective is to make virtual learning a robust alternative and switch to a blended learning approach as the situation normalizes.

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What is E-Learning Fatigue?

Before we jump the gun to answer how should one deal with it, we need to understand what e-learning fatigue really means. If you would have asked any student a couple of months back how they would like to sit and home and take their lessons on their computers, they would jump up to the idea. However, the same question today is likely to yield very different results. This is where e-learning fatigue kicks in. Put simply, e-learning fatigue is when students reach their saturation point of learning online using digital tools. Some might also refer to it as digital fatigue. Invariably, it is a fatigue that comes from constantly learning online and being plugged in all the time.

What is the impact of E-Learning Fatigue?

With an understanding of the term, let us look closely to see how this digital fatigue impact learning for students. There are several facets to this discussion:

• Firstly, due to digital fatigue, students are unable to concentrate on the lessons. The idea is that since students are online all day long, the absorption of knowledge starts reducing. This invariably makes learning ineffective.
• Secondly, because of e-learning fatigue with virtual classes, students no longer wish to spend more time online to work on their projects and other work. In conventional times, students attributed only part of their time to learning online, when working on projects and enjoyed it. However, no as even the classes are online, projects and other learning is suffering.
• Thirdly, digital fatigue might eventually lead to a situation of complete burnout where students refuse to look at another screen, much less learn from it.

Invariably, it is very important for students to reinvent their e-learning practices in a manner in which they can fight this digital fatigue. Unless students take some action, they will find themselves soaked up to their heads and gradually the online lessons will stop making any sense. To prevent e-learning from becoming an enemy when it can be a friend, let’s look at some best practices to fight e-learning fatigue.

Fighting E-Learning Fatigue: 5 Best Practices

With a fair understanding of e-learning fatigue and the impact, it is likely to have on your learning and development performance, it is time to change the way you pursue e-learning. The idea is not to completely dismiss the idea because the new normal will promote greater virtual learning in the days to come. However, the objective is to ensure that e-learning doesn’t become the source of greater digital fatigue. Here are a few ways you can experiment with to fight your e-learning fatigue or prevent it from cropping up altogether.

Limit your screen time to schoolwork

More often than not students go online to play games and interact with peers among other things. However, with the advent of learning happening online, it is important to attribute time accordingly. This means that if you add the hours of online learning to your already existing screen time, you are likely to be glued to your screen all the time. Invariably, you need to limit your screen time to only the essentials now and engage in an online post that only if your brain allows it. Since virtual classes are of top importance, you might have to compromise on other online interactions for some time and reduce them a little.

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Interact and participate in the lessons

Another reason for constant e-learning fatigue is the constant monologue. It would be a good idea to interact with your peers and educators during the lesson. Do not simply be a passive member of the audience. Rather, participate in the discussion like you would normally do in the classroom. It might be a little awkward at first, but once you get used to it, there is no looking back. The more you interact and engage, the greater your interest will be in the class. And, we all know that once we start investing time in something of our interest, fatigue is not even the least of our worries.

Suggest innovative ways to drive interest and engagement

You need to be sensitive to the fact that this transition to e-learning is as sudden for your teachers and educators as it is for you. Therefore, it would be a good idea to routinely suggest ways and offer feedback to them on how they can drive greater interest and engagement. For instance, simple lecture delivery over a video call may be very monotonous and lead to e-learning fatigue. However, gamification of some lessons and incorporating quizzes and polling can make the lessons more participatory and will be able to draw students to attend. Be an equal partner for your educators to fight e-learning fatigue.

Stretch every now and then

A major advantage of on-campus learning is the holistic development it offers with sports and extra-curricular activities. However, e-learning is not the ideal space for that. Nevertheless, you should definitely get up every few hours to stretch your body, maybe meditate for a few minutes, go for a run, or do anything that keeps you physically active. This will help the release of toxins from your body and allow a breath of fresh air to enter which can be your secret weapon to fight e-learning fatigue.

Dabble between different formats

Finally, one of the main reasons for e-learning fatigue is the constant use of only one format to deliver and uptake knowledge. You cannot expect your brain to keep taking video lessons without retaliating. Therefore, it would be a good idea to juggle between different e-learning formats which can offer different flavors of learning. For instance, if you check out platforms like TutorBin.com, you will come across that we offer our services in different formats. From live sessions to online homework help and online assignment help to essay writing and project work. This can help you break the monotony of a single format.

With that, we conclude our discussion on how you can fight e-learning fatigue. While all of us might not be in favor of the transition to e-learning, that is a major part of the new normal and the sooner we accept it and prepare for it, the better off we will be. Do share with us if you have any concerns about e-learning and we would be happy to help you out!