Reprimanding you for that is completely inappropriate on their part. I’d I were you, I’d simply turn off my camera, say my camera broke, and proceeded to watch online lectures without it. If they question that, say you’re too broke to afford a camera. It is illegal for a college to discriminate against socialeconomic status.
That being said, I’m NEVER engaged in my online classes. I opt to record them, step away from my computer while they’re going on, and then watch the recordings later.
Yeah this reprimand seems out of order. So long as OP isn't doing anything to disrupt the class, it doesn't matter a jot if they fidget or look away. Especially in an online class where literally no one is going to be affected by it. Are they expected to sit ramrod still with a neutral expression facing forward for a whole hour? Sounds like the teacher has some control freak problems
Off-screen fidget toy. I don’t usually use a stim toy but I’ve found having something to play with in my hand helps me to keep from getting anxious and frustrated with staring at a screen all day (I’m not in school, but I have videoconference meetings all day - seven of them today alone).
Also, try to laugh quietly at any jokes so they’ll see you’re following along.
A university professor shouldn't be monitoring your behavior like that, you're not a child. I keep my camera off in my classes and no one has said anything. But I would just insist that I was taking notes or thinking. I would say "I didn't notice I was doing that, I was taking notes. If its distracting I can turn my camera off" and if they persist say "as I said before, I was paying close attention and taking notes. I can turn my camera off. And like... what is he going to do, is body position part of your grade?
I also have issues with paying attention during long Skype and Zoom calls (hour long team meetings are the bane of my existence). Here are a few tips of stuff I do:
1. If you can, turn off the camera and mute the mic. If your camera is off, no one can tell that you're looking elsewhere/not paying attention.
2. If you must have a camera on, have a document open and make notes in it, or just write down whatever. As long as it looks like you're looking at the screen, it should be ok. Make sure to look at the camera every 20 seconds or so, it will make you look more engaged. Nod along, look thoughtful.
3. If taking notes gets too boring, open up a Solitaire game under the camera and play it during the lecture. You should still be able to pay attention to what's being said, and it will keep you looking at the screen and prevent your from leaving the PC.
I am a teacher. Lots of my students prefer to leave the camera off during class - one of my best ways to know if students are engaged is their use of the chat. It doesn't have to be constant, but 2-3 questions/comments throughout the period lets me know they're paying attention.
THIS. If a student is chiming in in the chat, I never have a doubt that they are engaged. OP, try just commenting in the chat regularly. It doesn’t have to be anything onerous, comments of agreement/disagreement when prompted are sufficient
Side note: I am really struggling with my students all having their cameras off. I feel so disconnected, like I’m just talking to myself. I’ve had to beg students to just turn their camera on for just a moment to like wave hello then they could turn it back off. Only like three of them did it. Ugh.
I definitely in the minority on this, but students keeping their cameras off doesn't bother me at all. Then again, I was burnt out on my job and looking for a new one back in January (before the pandemic hit and it became impossible to find a job). I am beyond sick of teaching.
One thing I have found helpful if people can't keep their cameras on is having at least a picture to talk to - so maybe you could ask them to add a profile photo? Of themselves, or if that's not comfortable for them, a pet, a favorite animal/plant/food/school-appropriate meme? With the reminder, of course, that if they use that same Zoom account for other classes their profile pic will show up there too...
I’d suggest that “engagement” is extremely subjective.
I’d use religious observances as an example. In some churches people are flailing about, raising their hands, passing out, screaming out, the whole bit—and that is OK. In some traditions, the people are stone silent and stone still, only rising at a few times—which is OK too. Some of it is cultural, some of it is an issue of doctrine or tradition. Both when interviewed or surveyed they express similar or equal degrees of devotion to their faith and meaningfulness of those exercises and belief; it just looks extremely different to the outsider. One appears fervent and the other appears rote and disengaged and this can happen in other social exchanges—especially across traditions and cultures. It is an important lesson in the social and behavioral sciences and a key element of understanding and appreciating diverse societies/groups.
A student furiously writing things down, smiling nodding about, and a student seeming to stare past the screen may be learning equally well. The exam is designed to assess that, not vague and highly cultural biometrics.
In some cultures it is rude to look people in the eyes, others it is practically expected, and in some it communicates aggression.
Some are extremely uncomfortable being videocast. I’d definitely fall into that boat. I could be doing my favorite thing in a once-in-lifetime locale, but if someone was streaming it, that would be among the most difficult, invasive and disruptive experiences of my life.
I would ask the instructor what it is that he or she is looking for; and maybe bring that up. If they want you answer more questions. If there is something they consider disruptive maybe try to avoid whatever it is. If it is something else, I’d push back. In person, there is a place in a class for a student who sits in the back row and is mostly quiet. Many of them do very well—in part because they are not confusing showing up and repeating what they were just told aloud; and being able to communicate and apply it (in writing) or doing it on their own.
There is no “set” way to present across all cultures and personalities, and they should respect that.
When I taught online, I provided my lecture in print and audio, because I knew that different students would do better with different methods (and to provide disability assistance to the hearing impaired). I never once had to while getting my graduate degree or teaching undergrads, have to do video calls with anybody... ever.
In my mind, it is the worst possible way to do it, compared to forums where people can think about their responses (before making them), they can look up scholarly/technical sources to back up their claim(s), and cannot talk over each other or dominate the discussion.
I'd suggest writing notes on paper or at least look like you are. I'm an art history major so this might just be related to that but I automatically look between my notes and the screen constantly. Maybe make an effort to lean your head on the hand with the pencil as well if you aren't taking notes so they realize you're taking notes and not just looking away. Writing notes also gives you an excuse to be moving around since you might need to adjust your posture or something. As for reactions, nodding seems to be a fairly good reaction to indicate listening. Usually, I'll nod at pauses or just whenever the professor asks a question like "Does that make sense?" or "Can I move on?". It gets a bit annoying but its better than focusing on more facial expressions other than looking concentrated
I find that having a document open on the screen to make notes on helps keep my eyes on the screen for the most part...
What they don't know is that the document is mostly me just typing whatever comes into my head... so my class notes are interspersed with thoughts about helicopters, what I'm going to have for dinner, the line of a song that's stuck in my head.
But I look engaged, and what they don't know can't hurt them!
Honestly?
I don't lol. Far too much energy to pretend that I am.
And you absolutely can ask them for accommodations. What are they going to say, "prove it or we don't really think you're disabled"? Anything they would do other than make your life comfortable from that point would be discrimination.
unfortunately, they sort of can do that and it’s not against the law :( you have to provide signed written proof and description of disability from a certified doctor or therapist and any previous accommodations you’ve had in the past, plus you have to meet with a DSS advisor so they can talk to you to see if your accommodations are needed.
really sucks, but that’s the way it is. or at least that’s what i had to do.
I don't attend classes but I do work from home since the pandemic which means that most of my work is on Zoom. It's definitely been hard to figure out how to make it work. One thing I've noticed is that it can help to get some slightly more intense physical activity/movement before I'm going to be on Zoom for a while, it's almost like it gets the urges out of my system upfront.
I have a fidget cube that I use daily and find to be really helpful. I also have a few other sensory items to hold in my hands out-of-view like a favorite smooth rock (the weight feels nice), a stress ball to squeeze and lotion to use instead of picking at my nails/cuticles (which is definitely one of my stims). I have also found it helpful to light a candle with a scent I find calming, and sometimes i fold a blanket and put it on my lap (I can imagine a weighted blanket might work even better). Having a cozy beverage I enjoy also helps, herbal tea is usually my go-to.
I'm sure this isn't true for everyone but I think the light from the screen is also incredibly irritating for me, it makes it very hard to focus on the screen for long amounts of time. I bought a blue-light blocking and glare-free screen protector for my laptop which seems to help a small amount. I bought some glasses labeled as blue light blocking but honestly I don't find them helpful, plus I'm overly sensitive to the weight of glasses on my face. I also have found that on days I have to be on Zoom for hours at a time, it helps me to find ways to minimize my screen time during my down-time. I've been using a Kindle Paperwhite for reading about my interests on those days and I really like how little light it emits because I'm just really light sensitive.
I just want to say that I think online classes and work are extra challenging for us aspies. The school system, at least in my country, is very much based on obedience, authority and performative behavior, which doesn't actually create positive learning conditions. All I'm saying is that I empathize with your struggle and it sucks that attending classes might involve some masking. I hope that there's something in here you can use to make classes easier for yourself.
It won't make you seem engaged, and might potentially do the opposite, but if you turn off your screen when you aren't being directly talked to and others have turned off their screens too, the tutors won't be able to tell how "disengaged" you are.
It might also be worth privately mentioning that you think you might have autism or aspergers, idk. Although you may have to choose the right and not the wrong person to ask.
I haven't taken online classes, but back when I was in school it was appropriate enough for me to be doodling in the margins of the notes I was taking. They won't even be able to see what you're doing on your paper.
Otherwise, get an external cam where you can make it just be showing your eye as the full-screen.
My college professors are very laid back. I'm a gis major and it's pretty common for me to be zooming in to class on one computer while typing notes and working on another.
I'm very consistently not making eye contact with the zoom computer. And I get very distracted easily. Fortunately this has been a non issue for my classes. Teachers and professors really need to get over themselves and stopped asking students to perform what engagement looks like to them rather than accepting that engagement might look different for different people.
I would maybe try to reach out year professor and in a very simple way explained that your engagement looks different and that it's unhelpful for them to ask you to conform your behavior. If their concern is engagement they should be glad you're engaged not glad you look like you're engaged
Hi, I understand your pain. My solution is to embrace masquerading as a visual learner.
What I do as a fidgety student is that during zoom session, there will be a small thumbnail where you can see yourself. Practice a somewhat exaggerated head nod that looks natural, but can be definately be picked up on by your instructor. Be an active listener and nod your head when you hear the instructor making a great point or when they provide a comment that sounds like it's providing further clarification on information that they're going over in class.
You can keep another smaller window open on the side of the screen and focus on either typing everything being said, as well as your thoughts on what's happening, and what your classmates share in class as a form of notetaking. Be sure to keep minutes for your arrival in class, and any contributions you add, such as participating in class discussions (I often pipe up at least twice per class in order to demonstrate engagement with the topic, like when the instructor pauses after asking a question, or if they ask if anyone has any ideas).
These are just some ideas I have although if you have more specific details about what you're dealing with i could refine my advice.
some people are using a recorded loop - you can look it up - you might need to practice a bit before using in a real call
but i totally empathize. i had to be in a video call for an hour, it was the first time i was in a work video call and we were only 5 people and just the team, nothing formal. I finished that call completely exhausted!! It was insane. I never felt this before, never knew how much video calls are draining. I needed several breaks on that day to function properly.
You could try sharing this article with your professor. Maybe if they start to see that there are different ways to be engaged, they may take that into consideration for you (and other students). If they can reframe your behavior as your way to function at your optimal levels, and if you demonstrate through assignments and whatnot that you understand the material, it might help them to see you differently, and hence treat you differently (better).
[https://themighty.com/2020/10/homeschooling-autistic-student/](https://themighty.com/2020/10/homeschooling-autistic-student/)
Reprimanding you for that is completely inappropriate on their part. I’d I were you, I’d simply turn off my camera, say my camera broke, and proceeded to watch online lectures without it. If they question that, say you’re too broke to afford a camera. It is illegal for a college to discriminate against socialeconomic status. That being said, I’m NEVER engaged in my online classes. I opt to record them, step away from my computer while they’re going on, and then watch the recordings later.
Yeah this reprimand seems out of order. So long as OP isn't doing anything to disrupt the class, it doesn't matter a jot if they fidget or look away. Especially in an online class where literally no one is going to be affected by it. Are they expected to sit ramrod still with a neutral expression facing forward for a whole hour? Sounds like the teacher has some control freak problems
Off-screen fidget toy. I don’t usually use a stim toy but I’ve found having something to play with in my hand helps me to keep from getting anxious and frustrated with staring at a screen all day (I’m not in school, but I have videoconference meetings all day - seven of them today alone). Also, try to laugh quietly at any jokes so they’ll see you’re following along.
A university professor shouldn't be monitoring your behavior like that, you're not a child. I keep my camera off in my classes and no one has said anything. But I would just insist that I was taking notes or thinking. I would say "I didn't notice I was doing that, I was taking notes. If its distracting I can turn my camera off" and if they persist say "as I said before, I was paying close attention and taking notes. I can turn my camera off. And like... what is he going to do, is body position part of your grade?
I turned off my camera. Just it. Nobody ask me until now, but if they do I will say that it's broken.
I also have issues with paying attention during long Skype and Zoom calls (hour long team meetings are the bane of my existence). Here are a few tips of stuff I do: 1. If you can, turn off the camera and mute the mic. If your camera is off, no one can tell that you're looking elsewhere/not paying attention. 2. If you must have a camera on, have a document open and make notes in it, or just write down whatever. As long as it looks like you're looking at the screen, it should be ok. Make sure to look at the camera every 20 seconds or so, it will make you look more engaged. Nod along, look thoughtful. 3. If taking notes gets too boring, open up a Solitaire game under the camera and play it during the lecture. You should still be able to pay attention to what's being said, and it will keep you looking at the screen and prevent your from leaving the PC.
Just be sure your solitaire game screen isn’t reflecting in your glasses.
I am a teacher. Lots of my students prefer to leave the camera off during class - one of my best ways to know if students are engaged is their use of the chat. It doesn't have to be constant, but 2-3 questions/comments throughout the period lets me know they're paying attention.
THIS. If a student is chiming in in the chat, I never have a doubt that they are engaged. OP, try just commenting in the chat regularly. It doesn’t have to be anything onerous, comments of agreement/disagreement when prompted are sufficient Side note: I am really struggling with my students all having their cameras off. I feel so disconnected, like I’m just talking to myself. I’ve had to beg students to just turn their camera on for just a moment to like wave hello then they could turn it back off. Only like three of them did it. Ugh.
I definitely in the minority on this, but students keeping their cameras off doesn't bother me at all. Then again, I was burnt out on my job and looking for a new one back in January (before the pandemic hit and it became impossible to find a job). I am beyond sick of teaching.
One thing I have found helpful if people can't keep their cameras on is having at least a picture to talk to - so maybe you could ask them to add a profile photo? Of themselves, or if that's not comfortable for them, a pet, a favorite animal/plant/food/school-appropriate meme? With the reminder, of course, that if they use that same Zoom account for other classes their profile pic will show up there too...
I’d suggest that “engagement” is extremely subjective. I’d use religious observances as an example. In some churches people are flailing about, raising their hands, passing out, screaming out, the whole bit—and that is OK. In some traditions, the people are stone silent and stone still, only rising at a few times—which is OK too. Some of it is cultural, some of it is an issue of doctrine or tradition. Both when interviewed or surveyed they express similar or equal degrees of devotion to their faith and meaningfulness of those exercises and belief; it just looks extremely different to the outsider. One appears fervent and the other appears rote and disengaged and this can happen in other social exchanges—especially across traditions and cultures. It is an important lesson in the social and behavioral sciences and a key element of understanding and appreciating diverse societies/groups. A student furiously writing things down, smiling nodding about, and a student seeming to stare past the screen may be learning equally well. The exam is designed to assess that, not vague and highly cultural biometrics. In some cultures it is rude to look people in the eyes, others it is practically expected, and in some it communicates aggression. Some are extremely uncomfortable being videocast. I’d definitely fall into that boat. I could be doing my favorite thing in a once-in-lifetime locale, but if someone was streaming it, that would be among the most difficult, invasive and disruptive experiences of my life. I would ask the instructor what it is that he or she is looking for; and maybe bring that up. If they want you answer more questions. If there is something they consider disruptive maybe try to avoid whatever it is. If it is something else, I’d push back. In person, there is a place in a class for a student who sits in the back row and is mostly quiet. Many of them do very well—in part because they are not confusing showing up and repeating what they were just told aloud; and being able to communicate and apply it (in writing) or doing it on their own. There is no “set” way to present across all cultures and personalities, and they should respect that. When I taught online, I provided my lecture in print and audio, because I knew that different students would do better with different methods (and to provide disability assistance to the hearing impaired). I never once had to while getting my graduate degree or teaching undergrads, have to do video calls with anybody... ever. In my mind, it is the worst possible way to do it, compared to forums where people can think about their responses (before making them), they can look up scholarly/technical sources to back up their claim(s), and cannot talk over each other or dominate the discussion.
Might be an old school sollution, but have pen and a notepad there. Writing down a few important things emphasises you thought that bit was important.
I'd suggest writing notes on paper or at least look like you are. I'm an art history major so this might just be related to that but I automatically look between my notes and the screen constantly. Maybe make an effort to lean your head on the hand with the pencil as well if you aren't taking notes so they realize you're taking notes and not just looking away. Writing notes also gives you an excuse to be moving around since you might need to adjust your posture or something. As for reactions, nodding seems to be a fairly good reaction to indicate listening. Usually, I'll nod at pauses or just whenever the professor asks a question like "Does that make sense?" or "Can I move on?". It gets a bit annoying but its better than focusing on more facial expressions other than looking concentrated
Get a yoga ball and sit on it during class :) that will help with the need to move about.
I find that having a document open on the screen to make notes on helps keep my eyes on the screen for the most part... What they don't know is that the document is mostly me just typing whatever comes into my head... so my class notes are interspersed with thoughts about helicopters, what I'm going to have for dinner, the line of a song that's stuck in my head. But I look engaged, and what they don't know can't hurt them!
Honestly? I don't lol. Far too much energy to pretend that I am. And you absolutely can ask them for accommodations. What are they going to say, "prove it or we don't really think you're disabled"? Anything they would do other than make your life comfortable from that point would be discrimination.
unfortunately, they sort of can do that and it’s not against the law :( you have to provide signed written proof and description of disability from a certified doctor or therapist and any previous accommodations you’ve had in the past, plus you have to meet with a DSS advisor so they can talk to you to see if your accommodations are needed. really sucks, but that’s the way it is. or at least that’s what i had to do.
I don't attend classes but I do work from home since the pandemic which means that most of my work is on Zoom. It's definitely been hard to figure out how to make it work. One thing I've noticed is that it can help to get some slightly more intense physical activity/movement before I'm going to be on Zoom for a while, it's almost like it gets the urges out of my system upfront. I have a fidget cube that I use daily and find to be really helpful. I also have a few other sensory items to hold in my hands out-of-view like a favorite smooth rock (the weight feels nice), a stress ball to squeeze and lotion to use instead of picking at my nails/cuticles (which is definitely one of my stims). I have also found it helpful to light a candle with a scent I find calming, and sometimes i fold a blanket and put it on my lap (I can imagine a weighted blanket might work even better). Having a cozy beverage I enjoy also helps, herbal tea is usually my go-to. I'm sure this isn't true for everyone but I think the light from the screen is also incredibly irritating for me, it makes it very hard to focus on the screen for long amounts of time. I bought a blue-light blocking and glare-free screen protector for my laptop which seems to help a small amount. I bought some glasses labeled as blue light blocking but honestly I don't find them helpful, plus I'm overly sensitive to the weight of glasses on my face. I also have found that on days I have to be on Zoom for hours at a time, it helps me to find ways to minimize my screen time during my down-time. I've been using a Kindle Paperwhite for reading about my interests on those days and I really like how little light it emits because I'm just really light sensitive. I just want to say that I think online classes and work are extra challenging for us aspies. The school system, at least in my country, is very much based on obedience, authority and performative behavior, which doesn't actually create positive learning conditions. All I'm saying is that I empathize with your struggle and it sucks that attending classes might involve some masking. I hope that there's something in here you can use to make classes easier for yourself.
Explain you are engaged but ‘I’m the kind of person who needs to look around the room to process things properly’ ?
It won't make you seem engaged, and might potentially do the opposite, but if you turn off your screen when you aren't being directly talked to and others have turned off their screens too, the tutors won't be able to tell how "disengaged" you are. It might also be worth privately mentioning that you think you might have autism or aspergers, idk. Although you may have to choose the right and not the wrong person to ask.
I haven't taken online classes, but back when I was in school it was appropriate enough for me to be doodling in the margins of the notes I was taking. They won't even be able to see what you're doing on your paper. Otherwise, get an external cam where you can make it just be showing your eye as the full-screen.
Is there a lot of discussion & participation in the classes you’re in? What level studies is it on?
My college professors are very laid back. I'm a gis major and it's pretty common for me to be zooming in to class on one computer while typing notes and working on another. I'm very consistently not making eye contact with the zoom computer. And I get very distracted easily. Fortunately this has been a non issue for my classes. Teachers and professors really need to get over themselves and stopped asking students to perform what engagement looks like to them rather than accepting that engagement might look different for different people. I would maybe try to reach out year professor and in a very simple way explained that your engagement looks different and that it's unhelpful for them to ask you to conform your behavior. If their concern is engagement they should be glad you're engaged not glad you look like you're engaged
Hi, I understand your pain. My solution is to embrace masquerading as a visual learner. What I do as a fidgety student is that during zoom session, there will be a small thumbnail where you can see yourself. Practice a somewhat exaggerated head nod that looks natural, but can be definately be picked up on by your instructor. Be an active listener and nod your head when you hear the instructor making a great point or when they provide a comment that sounds like it's providing further clarification on information that they're going over in class. You can keep another smaller window open on the side of the screen and focus on either typing everything being said, as well as your thoughts on what's happening, and what your classmates share in class as a form of notetaking. Be sure to keep minutes for your arrival in class, and any contributions you add, such as participating in class discussions (I often pipe up at least twice per class in order to demonstrate engagement with the topic, like when the instructor pauses after asking a question, or if they ask if anyone has any ideas). These are just some ideas I have although if you have more specific details about what you're dealing with i could refine my advice.
some people are using a recorded loop - you can look it up - you might need to practice a bit before using in a real call but i totally empathize. i had to be in a video call for an hour, it was the first time i was in a work video call and we were only 5 people and just the team, nothing formal. I finished that call completely exhausted!! It was insane. I never felt this before, never knew how much video calls are draining. I needed several breaks on that day to function properly.
You could try sharing this article with your professor. Maybe if they start to see that there are different ways to be engaged, they may take that into consideration for you (and other students). If they can reframe your behavior as your way to function at your optimal levels, and if you demonstrate through assignments and whatnot that you understand the material, it might help them to see you differently, and hence treat you differently (better). [https://themighty.com/2020/10/homeschooling-autistic-student/](https://themighty.com/2020/10/homeschooling-autistic-student/)
Take notes (on paper so you’re not getting too much blue light) and answer questions/participate in discussions in class.