Fighting Zoom fatigue: Evidence-based approaches in university online education
Abstract As the world has rapidly transitioned to virtual platforms for education due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a new phenomenon known as “Zoom fatigue” has emerged. This term refers to the exhaustion associated with the extensive use of virtual communication platforms. In this context, the present...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-90973-6 |
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| author | Johannes M. Basch Patrick Albus Tina Seufert |
| author_facet | Johannes M. Basch Patrick Albus Tina Seufert |
| author_sort | Johannes M. Basch |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract As the world has rapidly transitioned to virtual platforms for education due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a new phenomenon known as “Zoom fatigue” has emerged. This term refers to the exhaustion associated with the extensive use of virtual communication platforms. In this context, the present study investigates the effects of different virtual class settings on cognitive load and fatigue. Four interventions were examined: self-view on vs. self-view off, focus-view function vs. grid-view function, activating a virtual background vs. natural background, and active participation vs. no active participation. The results suggest that turning off self-view can significantly reduce both cognitive load and fatigue. However, the effects of focus-view function vs. grid-view function did not reach significance for either cognitive load or fatigue. Similarly, using a virtual background vs. a natural background did not significantly affect fatigue, but it did influence cognitive load, with higher values for virtual backgrounds. Lastly, active participation in classes was associated with decreased fatigue and lower extraneous cognitive load compared to no active participation. The findings highlight the importance of considering both technological aspects (e.g., self-view, background settings) and pedagogical approaches (e.g., active participation) in online teaching to promote a more engaging and less fatiguing learning environment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-07de0c9cf5ef494e9cb4ee17953472ce |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-07de0c9cf5ef494e9cb4ee17953472ce2025-08-20T02:16:40ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-02-0115111010.1038/s41598-025-90973-6Fighting Zoom fatigue: Evidence-based approaches in university online educationJohannes M. Basch0Patrick Albus1Tina Seufert2Hochschule Neu-UlmInstitute of Psychology and Education, Department for Learning and Instruction, Ulm UniversityInstitute of Psychology and Education, Department for Learning and Instruction, Ulm UniversityAbstract As the world has rapidly transitioned to virtual platforms for education due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a new phenomenon known as “Zoom fatigue” has emerged. This term refers to the exhaustion associated with the extensive use of virtual communication platforms. In this context, the present study investigates the effects of different virtual class settings on cognitive load and fatigue. Four interventions were examined: self-view on vs. self-view off, focus-view function vs. grid-view function, activating a virtual background vs. natural background, and active participation vs. no active participation. The results suggest that turning off self-view can significantly reduce both cognitive load and fatigue. However, the effects of focus-view function vs. grid-view function did not reach significance for either cognitive load or fatigue. Similarly, using a virtual background vs. a natural background did not significantly affect fatigue, but it did influence cognitive load, with higher values for virtual backgrounds. Lastly, active participation in classes was associated with decreased fatigue and lower extraneous cognitive load compared to no active participation. The findings highlight the importance of considering both technological aspects (e.g., self-view, background settings) and pedagogical approaches (e.g., active participation) in online teaching to promote a more engaging and less fatiguing learning environment.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-90973-6Zoom fatigueVideoconference fatigueOnline teachingOnline education |
| spellingShingle | Johannes M. Basch Patrick Albus Tina Seufert Fighting Zoom fatigue: Evidence-based approaches in university online education Scientific Reports Zoom fatigue Videoconference fatigue Online teaching Online education |
| title | Fighting Zoom fatigue: Evidence-based approaches in university online education |
| title_full | Fighting Zoom fatigue: Evidence-based approaches in university online education |
| title_fullStr | Fighting Zoom fatigue: Evidence-based approaches in university online education |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fighting Zoom fatigue: Evidence-based approaches in university online education |
| title_short | Fighting Zoom fatigue: Evidence-based approaches in university online education |
| title_sort | fighting zoom fatigue evidence based approaches in university online education |
| topic | Zoom fatigue Videoconference fatigue Online teaching Online education |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-90973-6 |
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