Thread by @karenraycosta

I went to bed last night really angry and frustrated that people are still forcing learners to be on camera...

At this point I wonder if the holdouts are people we can get through to, who are just in need of more support and information about the science of teaching and learning, or if they are committed to their own ignorance? Is it worth continuing the conversation?

Anyway, sometimes you continue the conversation not because you believe it will change someone's mind, but because of what will happen to you if you don't keep speaking your mind, I guess.

I was doing some research on the concept of camera shyness, which I wrote about quite extensively in 99 Tips.

Found this: Looking at Distance Learning Through Both Ends of the Camera

from 1998

A blast from the #OnlineLearning past.

files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED418…

Most students were reluctant to speak on camera and remarked in their journals that they were uncomfortable "being on camera."

For some learners in the study, on-camera discomfort decreased when they had a chance to get to know their professor...in short, patience and time to build trust were critical.

The voice of another student in the study:

...having a camera on you at all times inhibits the discussions and causes only a few students to participate.

Forcing students to be on camera can actually INHIBIT engagement.

Some students in the study reported that they grew more comfortable being on-camera by the END of the term, AFTER they'd had a chance to build trusting, supportive relationships with their peers and professor.

Forcing students to be on-camera is wrong. It has the potential to do serious harm, not only to the student, but to your relationship with the student, which is the foundation on which all else rests. It will likely inhibit student engagement.

The goal shouldn't be to get students on camera. The goal should be great teaching and learning which begins with trusting, supportive, positive relationships. Focus on that, and your students might just decide to come on camera after all. Or not, which is okay too.

And I just keep thinking, if you knew the whole story about why that student (or fac/staff) doesn't want to be on camera, you wouldn't force them to be on camera in a million years. Trust me on this one. You really wouldn't. But students don't owe you those stories.

Remember, cameras don't guarantee attention and engagement, and if they are activating the student's stress response, they'll actually work AGAINST attention and engagement.

Try these strategies instead:
linkedin.com/pulse/making-s…

I also want to be clear here that a cameras-optional policy benefits both students and educators. It might seem like forcing them on camera will make your life easier. It won't. It's going to work against you. Cameras-optional is better for everyone.