What is Software Fatigue?

I recently wrote about how to combat the software fatigue that many students (including myself) are facing this semester. While many people have been writing about “Zoom fatigue” recently, it wasn’t quite covering what I was feeling. “Software fatigue” is a term that I came up with to describe the broader range of frustrations and emotions I am feeling as an online student, so I thought it might be good to explore how it  looks in my life and the lives of my fellow students

Software fatigue is the term that I have been using to describe the exhaustion that comes with being on my computer constantly as an online student. More specifically, I use this term when referring to the frustration of having to deal with some aspects of using my computer as the only way which I can do my work. I am using this term broadly to include everything from technical problems to privacy concerns to general burnout from being on the computer all day every day.

Here are a few scenarios that I have recently seen play out in my own life or the lives of my classmates. As a graduate student, I have unique challenges, and undergraduate students certainly have their own unique challenges too. However, I think that these are things that we can all relate over.

Scenario #1: Technology Troubles

At the beginning of this semester, I was doing all of my work on a laptop that I purchased in 2013. With all of the software that I had to download to take my classes, I noticed that my laptop really started to slow down and started having some strange malfunctions, as well as running out of memory. And on top of all this, my laptop charging cable had a tiny explosion and almost caught on fire. At this point, I was faced with a choice: spend the money for a new laptop, or risk the problems and possibly end up without a working laptop halfway through the semester? I decided not to risk it and bought a new laptop, but I know that I am extremely lucky to have been able to afford it during this pandemic. What do you think that technology access means for education?

What technology related challenges have you been facing in your studies? Have you noticed ways in which UBC, UofT, or other universities are helping students face their internet and hardware limitations?

Scenario #2: Online Proctoring Worries

With the pandemic in full swing students have been unable to take their exams in person. Since professors are now unable to observe their students taking exams in-person, some of them are turning to remote proctoring software described by some as “academic surveillance software” to proctor exams. These programs can monitor webcams, microphones, and even the programs open on their computers. I have not had to download any of this software, but many students that have had to do so have been concerned about their digital privacy and security. It’s a tough situation: professors don’t want to make their students uncomfortable, but they have to find some way to proctor exams, and during a pandemic, options are limited.

What has been your experience using remote exam proctoring software? What approaches have professors been using for exam proctoring  without using software that might be perceived as invasive of student privacy?

Scenario #3: Burnout Blues

Everyone from professors to students is working hard to make the best of online schooling. However, it’s impossible to exactly simulate in-person schooling from home, especially when it comes to discussions and in-class group work. It makes sense that professors would turn to discussion to attempt to create dialogue between their students, but for the students, all of this extra work is exhausting and takes a huge amount of time. I personally now spend most of my time sitting at my desk and staring at my computer, which leads to headaches and bad posture. It would be impossible for me to get all of my work done without spending most of my time on the computer.

During this semester, some of my well-meaning professors have encouraged my classmates and I to ensure that we take time for ourselves to take breaks and step away from our technology. While we appreciate the sentiment, some of my classmates have shared with me that they feel a bit frustrated when they receive these messages. Many of us would love to take breaks, but we don’t have time to do so if we want to complete all of our work. It’s hard not to let this frustration build up, especially as end of the semester projects and tests loom large

What workload challenges have you been facing in your courses? Do your courses utilize discussion boards for participation? What do you think of them? What strategies do you have for coping with feeling burnt out?

Have you noticed yourself experiencing any similar frustrations and challenges? If so, please know that you are not alone in this. Online schooling is not easy, and all that can be asked is that you do your best. Even though software fatigue can get us down, there are some solutions that could give you a bit of help in dealing with it. Read our previous blog post for tips for handling software fatigue, and let us know your strategies for handling fatigue in the comments.

Written By: Rachael Bradshaw

Edited By: Samantha Summers

Featured Image: Student Laptop Stressed from HaticeEROL Used Under Pixabay License