Reduce Student Isolation

Isolated Students Can Struggle to Learn

The Problem of Isolated Students

Isolated students, those who find themselves cut off from the classroom’s social environment or who deliberately withdraw for their own reasons, can struggle. Research on the effect of isolation on learning shows negative academic and psychosocial effects. The negative impact can affect not only the isolated student but also the student’s instructor, parents, or other supporters. Isolation generally increases with remote instruction. The natural isolation of remote learning has generally negative effects.

One Way to Reduce Isolation

You may have several ways to reduce the harmful isolation that some students, especially remote students, can feel. Researchers in Australia, for example, found that instructors can reduce the negative effect of isolation by inviting or requiring students to submit three-to-five minute cell-phone video recordings, or if not recordings then writings, describing or showing ways to improve studies. The instructor gathers the recordings to share, after appropriate review and approval. Students making recordings reveal their personality, character, and insights, while students watching the recordings learn not only about helpful study methods but about their classmates personalities and interests.

I’ve tried this method to good effect in a remote course. You might be surprised and pleased at the insights students can share about their own learning. Consider giving it a try.