Academic Experiences of “Zoom-Fatigue” as a Virtual Streaming Phenomenon During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Samual Amponsah,Micheal M Van Wyk,Michael Kojo Kolugu

doi:10.4018/ijwltt.287555

Abstract

This phenomenological exploratory multiple-case study design was conducted at an open distance e-learning university and a traditional contact residential university and it was found that the participants viewed video conferencing under the COVID-19 lockdown period as an exhausting experience. A second major finding revealed that the participants were empowered with digital literacy skills to use video conferencing effectively. The current findings add to a growing body of literature on video conferencing with a focus on Zoom fatigue. Further research might explore the lived zoom experiences of administrators, students and a larger group of faculties over a longer period. The study findings must be considered when planning and implementing video conferencing for academics and students in open distance e-learning contexts. This study showed that video conferencing is one tool in the emergence of a digital zoom revolution that has radically changed the workspace. The evidence from this study suggests that zoom fatigue is a reality check for work-related health management.

Highlights

Since late 2019 the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the face of human interactions in everyday life. Corbera, et al (2020) highlighted that we are living through a global pandemic with unprecedented scope, scale and impact and no industry or sector remain unscathed
This phenomenological exploratory multiple-case study design was conducted at an open distance e-learning university and a traditional contact residential university, and it was found that the participants viewed video conferencing under the COVID-19 lockdown period as an exhausting experience
This study has found that participants viewed video conferencing under the COVID-19 lockdown period as an exhausting experience that affects the quality of their physical and emotional dimensions of life

Summary

Introduction

Since late 2019 the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the face of human interactions in everyday life. Corbera, et al (2020) highlighted that we are living through a global pandemic with unprecedented scope, scale and impact and no industry or sector remain unscathed. Since late 2019 the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the face of human interactions in everyday life. Corbera, et al (2020) highlighted that we are living through a global pandemic with unprecedented scope, scale and impact and no industry or sector remain unscathed. The authors highlighted that the speed at which the pandemic is travelling across boundaries is unparalleled; they anticipate dire consequences for all aspects of life in the near and unforeseen future. It is worth noting that beyond the pandemic, things are not likely to return to their former state. The world needs to accept the new normal and find ways to survive during and postCOVID-19. The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) (2020) considers it imperative to venture into uncharted terrain to survive and manage the probable impacts of the pandemic

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