How to Fight Blended Learning Burnout

It was hard enough to keep kids engaged in their schoolwork with the promise of recess and friend time to break up the learning day. Now that so many are schooling from home or otherwise glued to their devices for hours on end, burnout is on the rise. (Yes, that includes teachers, too!)

Even blended learning, which offers some face-to-face elements with online experiences, can be draining for both educators and learners alike.

Take notes on the information below to enhance and restore balance from blended learning burnout.

Blended Learning: Understanding Teacher and Student Burnout

According to HelpGuide.org, “Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands.”

Let it continue undeterred, and loss of interest and motivation will soon follow.

In the school environment, the burnout associated with blending learning can have significant consequences for everyone.

Drawbacks for educators include:

1) Lack of professional development. The onus is often on teachers to create new types of formal instruction without proper training.

2) Budget constraints. Administrators would do well to set up complete, appropriate, and cost-effective blending learning infrastructures so it doesn’t limit teachers.

3) Logistical headaches. Be sure to give educators plenty of time to work through the set-up and ramp-up process – preferably not while they’re expected to teach.

Drawbacks for learners might look like this:

1) Learning inequities. Not all students have the same access to resources, devices, or internet options.

2) Inaccessibility. There are a variety of learning differences that need to be accommodated when rolling out an online curriculum. Many of which have been falling through the cracks.

3) No personalised support. Outside the classroom, students may not know who to go to when they have questions about the material or need help troubleshooting a technology issue.

Applying a "Three R” Approach for Both Teachers & Students

See the writing on the wall? Here are three tactics HelpGuide.org suggests to relieve blended learning exhaustion and prioritise well-being.

Recognise the warning signs. Reverse and better manage stress. Practice resilience by focusing on your physical and emotional health.

Blended learning remains a helpful, necessary way to engage modern learners. Just be mindful that burnout doesn’t undermine that engagement – for your teachers or your students.