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11-14 yrs (middle school) 14-18 yrs (high school) 5-6 yrs (kindergarten) 6-8 yrs (primary) 9-11 yrs (elementary) Family Resources PreK 3-5 yrs (preschool)

Managing Zoom and Computer Burnout

Introduction

Learning and socializing digitally has become our new normal during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although this format is convenient and may be our best solution, for now, Zoom and other screen-based formats can cause “burnout.” We all like staying connected but we also need to learn ways to cope with the stress on our eyes, brains, and psyches. The articles listed below describe symptoms of burnout: headaches, temper tantrums, lethargy, and even depression. Simple ways to cope include: 1) taking a break, 2) going for a brief walk, and 3) squeezing a squishy ball. By all accounts, Zoom fatigue is real and it’s important to give yourself and your child/children a break. Remember, self-care is paramount right now, and the pandemic has not only provided a greater need to teach kids about this, but it has created an opportunity to lead by example.

Articles

If you are interested in reading an article about what Zoom Fatigue is and how to cope with it:

Zoom Fatigue is Real and Our Kids are Feeling It

Zoom Fatigue is Real, Here’s How to Deal With It

Kids are so Over Zoom and What to do About It

4 Ways to Keep Kids Engaged on Zoom and How to Avoid Zoom Fatigue

VIDEOS

Tags: 

COVID-19, Technology, Social-emotional Learning, Health & Wellness

Age Levels: 

  • Pre-K 3-5 yrs (preschool)
  • 5-6 yrs (kindergarten)
  • 6-8 yrs (primary)
  • 9-11 yrs (elementary)
  • 11-14 yrs (middle school)
  • 14-18 yrs (high school)

Developer:

Beth Powers

Creative Commons License

Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
CC BY-NC-SA
Credit: ConnectionSpot.org on 09/30/2020

Managing-Zoom-and-Computer-Burnout_FINALDownload

By Beth Powers

Hello! Welcome, and thanks for visiting us! My name is Beth (aka Miss Beth and/or Dr. Powers) and I have been an educator for more than half of my life. I have worked with teachers, families, and students from birth through 70 years of age. The majority of my teaching has been split between young children ages 3-7 and future teachers who are 18 years and older. Specifically, I have worked with children and educators across the U.S. (CA, PA, NC, SC, NH, & VT) and the world (Italy, Sweden, Thailand, & Zimbabwe). Along the way, I earned three graduate degrees (two Masters in Education and one Doctoral Degree) and learned a great deal about children, teaching, and learning. I am especially interested in culture, diversity, and equity in Education. This means that I dedicate my work to finding better ways to meet ALL learners’ needs. That’s exactly why I am so glad you found us. Our team is excited to share what we have learned and learn from and with you and your children.

- Masters of Education in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Antioch New England Graduate School
- Masters of Education in Reading, Bloomsburg University
- Ph.D. in Culture, Curriculum, & Change, UNC-Chapel Hill.

One reply on “Managing Zoom and Computer Burnout”

I thought it was so interesting to see your post this morning since I was reading a lot of posts on Reddit just yesterday about students and faculty complaining about the amount of screen time. An 8th grade wanted to be given the assignment and be allowed to log off Zoom because her computer would work faster. Teachers under pressure from admin (and being docked on evals) for students having cameras off, even when admin pops in at the end of a lesson, or teachers not wanting/needing to be unnecessarily staring at kids working for a specific amount of time to give the illusion to those outside of a classroom that everything is status quo in a completely different format.

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