The Silent Students: A Teacher's Plea for Engagement in Online Learning

Online Learning Challenges: A Teacher's Perspective A Belarusian primary school teacher, Anastasia Fedorovitch, recently shared her frustrations with online teaching, specifically concerning students who keep their cameras off during virtual lessons. In a short video posted on May 17th, Fedorovitch described the isolating experience of teaching to an unseen audience. "It feels like I'm talking to a wall," she stated, expressing her difficulty in assessing student understanding and engagement. The video has garnered significant views (3041) and likes (86), indicating widespread resonance with the issue. Fedorovitch's experience highlights the challenges of maintaining student connection and engagement in a virtual learning environment. She noted the difficulty of ensuring students are paying attention and actively participating when their faces are hidden. While she acknowledges the occasional need for cameras to be off, she emphasizes the importance of visual interaction for effective teaching. The video concludes with a plea to colleagues for advice on handling this common issue. This situation underscores the ongoing need for educators to adapt to the changing landscape of online learning and find innovative ways to foster student participation and connection in virtual classrooms.