“Zoom Fatigue” is THE buzzword for corporate work in 2020. We are all tired and longing for a balance away from the screen. Continuing education must also now take place entirely digitally. As a trainer or developer, you face the significant challenge of protecting your participants from digital fatigue. Read now how this can be achieved preventively and actively.
Digital fatigue is more than just “Zoom Fatigue”
You've probably come across this term as well: “Zoom Fatigue” describes the symptom of fatigue that thousands of people currently experience during online conferences. Meetings have become even more exhausting since they are conducted from home in front of the webcam in the context of “social distancing”.
However, to be honest, this phenomenon goes far beyond video conferences (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, etc.). Due to working from home, we are essentially spending much more time in front of the screen than usual. Social interaction is eliminated or extremely reduced. This is tiring! Therefore, instead of “Zoom Fatigue”, we should talk about “digital fatigue”.
Especially trainers and developers feel this digital fatigue in their participants: Suddenly, continuing education must go entirely digital! Not only does the transition to online courses take time and effort, but now you also have to consider how to protect your participants from digital fatigue.
3 Reasons for Digital Fatigue in Webinars and Video Conferences
Before I dive into preventive and active measures against digital fatigue, I want to briefly address the backgrounds: Why exactly are video conferences, webinars, and generally working on screens so exhausting in the long run?
On wissensdialoge.de, diploma psychologist Prof. Dr. Johannes Moskaliuk presents three exciting psychological explanations for “Zoom Fatigue”:
In a typical video conference, I constantly see myself. This makes it difficult for me to concentrate on my environment (the other participants).
Non-verbal stimuli in video conferences or webinars can be distracting: Especially the lack of eye contact makes communication strenuous for us.
The virtual and the real situation do not match. My body is at the desk, and my mind is in a virtual space.
Especially the last point is decisive in digital education: Whether in a webinar or an online course, I have to simultaneously be in a real and a virtual place. This sounds very trivial, but it can become very tiring over time. Surely, there are people who remain highly motivated in online courses even after weeks at home in front of the screen. Others, presumably older individuals, are already fatigued after a short time and therefore demotivated.
Whatever the reasons may be: Digital fatigue in online courses is definitely a topic and will continue to accompany educators for some time. Sticking your head in the sand is not an option! I will now present to you ways to actively and preventively tackle the fight against digital fatigue in corporate training in 2021.
Preventive: Prevent Digital Fatigue in Online Courses
The best way to prevent digital fatigue in online courses is preventively: Your participants should not even enter the state of fatigue. ALTHOUGH traditional in-person training is not feasible. With the right methods, this can be quite simple:
Diversity of media and formats
Virtual blended learning
Microlearning
Gamification
Diversity of Media and Formats
The key to combating digital fatigue is variety: Offer as many different media and formats as possible. For example, a video to greet participants in the online course, followed by a short survey, a presentation, another video, and then a text. Vary wherever you can! You can find more tips here: 5 Ideas for Successful Learning Videos in Companies
Additionally, always put yourself in your participants' shoes at home in front of the screen: What exercises can you use to “wake them up” preventively against digital fatigue? Simple notes with paper and pen can be a way to briefly step away from the screen. Or an active exercise where they change something in their daily life. This works especially well for soft skill training.
Virtual Blended Learning
Okay, traditional in-person education is at least difficult to health-threatening during a pandemic. However, you can also use blended learning completely digitally! Because webinars are a form of presence that you can alternate with online courses. In webinars, both the trainer and the participants are present, so at the same time in the same place. Therefore, design webinars to be as interactive as possible and learn about the method of virtual blended learning!
Stick to the basic rule: As much as possible in person (webinars), as much as necessary in online courses.
Microlearning
Another proven means against digital fatigue is microlearning. The key here is “keep it short!”. Don’t overwhelm your participants with long and complicated content. Even a complex subject can be divided into manageable little pieces. They are better digestible for your participants and provide lasting motivation.
You can find meaningful examples of microlearning in this article.
Gamification
Awaken the playful side in your (adult) participants! The gamification method aims precisely at this: Keeping motivation high with playful elements in the online course.
This already works with relatively simple setups:
Reward your participants for their progress.
Praise your participants in the form of automated positive feedback.
Set your course so that some content becomes visible only later, as the participant progresses.
Always include quiz questions.
Active: Mitigate Digital Fatigue in Online Courses
If you already notice that your participants are digitally fatigued, only active measures can help! The prerequisite for this is, of course, that you keep an ongoing eye on the mood of your participants – for example, through automated feedback surveys in your online course. And then intervene as soon as you notice signs of digital fatigue.
Allow Flexible Breaks
We are all currently in an exceptional situation, and each individual must find their own way to cope with it. As a developer and trainer, you are therefore required to show a high level of flexibility: Can you spontaneously adjust your plan in response to signs of digital fatigue and possibly extend it in time?
Especially for participants who are personally under a lot of pressure right now, your high flexibility is very beneficial. Allow breaks wherever necessary, and don’t hesitate to adjust your online course even during the training period.
Provide a Good Example
Examples and role models help us greatly in everyday life to stay oriented and motivated. Ask a supervisor to shoot a short motivational video. You can incorporate this video into your online course – even at short notice.
You, too, as a trainer or developer can combat digital fatigue in your participants with your own video impulses. For example, show yourself in your home and explain how you personally ensure balance after a long day in front of the screen. This not only helps your participants content-wise but also increases their trust in you or the company in general through the personal touch.
Conclusion
Start the year 2021 with a positive fighting spirit and actively and preventively address digital fatigue! In addition to a fundamental diversity of media and formats, methods like gamification, virtual blended learning, and finally microlearning will support you.
To a successful new year! 🍾👩💻👨💻
