Should Students Turn on Cameras for Virtual Learning? Pros & Cons

Since the pandemic in 2020, schools around the world have continued using remote learning, but many are still figuring out how to maintain a high standard within a digital classroom. Teachers want the online learning experience to mirror an in-person class, complete with well-engaged students who are highly involved in the learning process, but many wonder what can and can’t work within a digital platform and may question if cameras should be on during virtual learning. In this article, we discuss how requiring video works within Zoom classes and other aspects you should consider for your online classes.

Benefits of Requiring Cameras in Virtual Classrooms

Requiring students to turn their cameras on makes sense if we consider that a teacher in a classroom can usually see all of their students at any time. They can see if a student is playing with their phone, sleeping, or paying attention to something else. This is necessary for proper classroom management, and making sure students are engaged.

For some students, this works to help hold themselves accountable. It makes them aware of their actions, and how they may be perceived on camera. It can also help keep them on task. Seeing their classmates’ faces can also add a social element, making them feel like they are present and with their friends, much like they would be in the classroom. With their cameras off, some students confess they might get up and leave, since the teacher can’t see what they’re doing.

Disadvantages of Cameras in Virtual Classrooms

While having cameras on makes sense, there are some growing concerns about requiring them. Some students feel a negative impact of having video on, which was unanticipated by teachers.

No. 1 Privacy Concerns

While teachers are usually able to see a student when they are in a classroom, they do not usually get to see into the student’s home. With cameras on, everyone can see into each other’s private homes, and whatever may be happening there. Some students are lucky enough to have a private place to study with a closed door, but not all are. Some students may be sharing space with siblings and other family members who don’t want to be on camera. With cameras off, students can maintain a level of privacy about their home, just like if they were in a real classroom.

No. 2 Zoom Fatigue

Having cameras on poses two problems for students from a behavioral standpoint. The first is that it adds to what is now being called Zoom fatigue, an exhaustion that occurs from constantly using a computer screen, and especially in video conferencing. Having a camera on during online classes increases this fatigue, because interpreting body language is already exhausting, and students have to do it with many faces at once. If students are allowed to turn their cameras off, this exhaustion can be reduced.

No. 3 Technical Issues

As remote learning becomes an integral part of education technology, we have found how essential it is to have a strong and fast internet connection. Students with a poor internet connection simply may not be able to have their camera on when trying to listen to a lecture. Their video may lag, or even freeze, preventing them from participating at all.

How to Keep Students Engaged in Virtual Classes

Since there are many good reasons to allow students to keep their cameras off, some teachers might be wondering how they can recreate what they need from the cameras without requiring that students have them on. How can we engage with our students and know they are fully present when we can’t see them? The key here is to dig deeper into the technology that has made remote learning possible.

Ask Participation Questions

Rather than looking at remote learning as a constriction against what we would normally do in the classroom, we should look at what technology can allow us to do that we could not do before. Similar to in the classroom, teachers can still check for understanding with their students, asking simple questions to make sure their students are “there.” They can have students respond verbally, or check in using virtual meeting tools like chat boxes, polls, and emojis, like a thumbs up gesture. Students who don’t respond could be marked as absent, or lose participation points.

Let Students Express Themselves with a Profile Picture

Teachers may also dislike teaching to a screen of black squares. This is where they can allow students to be creative and express themselves in fun ways. Instead of requiring cameras to be on, they can require a profile picture. It could be an image of the student, a collage of some of their favorite things, or even a cute picture of their dog. As long as there is nothing inappropriate, this can be a fun visual for everyone to look at, and it can be used to easily identify students when their cameras are off.

Encourage Cameras (without Requiring Them)

When teaching online classes, flexibility is key. It’s acceptable for teachers to ask students to turn their cameras on without requiring it. And you can make the environment encouraging for them to do so, explaining why having cameras on may be important for some specific tasks. If a student is speaking, they can be encouraged to turn their camera on so other students will pay more attention to them. Teachers might incorporate more small presentations where students can have their cameras on for short periods to help them get used to it. If more students turn their cameras on, others may feel more confident to do so, while the students who can’t turn their cameras on will have the freedom to keep them off.