ScreenPaddles
Overview
ScreePaddles are printable icons that can be cut out and taped to pencils or popsicle sticks. They are intended for use in digital classrooms as a tool to improve remote learning environments. Students use them to communicate things like "I need a break", "I have a question" or "Wow, this is really cool" to the teacher without needing to unmute or interrupt class.
Background
The format of digital classrooms makes it difficult to read body language and the mood of the room, so teachers often have a hard time addressing the needs of their students. This is especially true for students who are too shy or embarrassed to unmute and interrupt the class in order to ask a question or let the teacher know how they are feeling about the class.
ScreenPaddles were created with the intention of relieving some of the pressure off of the students and teachers in these situations by providing a visual cue that students could use to indicate a mood, need, or question.
ScreenPaddles were created with the intention of relieving some of the pressure off of the students and teachers in these situations by providing a visual cue that students could use to indicate a mood, need, or question. Teachers are easily able to spot the ScreenPaddles being held up, and can easily address or acknowledge them.
Process & Research
The sudden shift to online learning due to Covid-19 was tough on teachers and students across all education levels. During my research, I talked to many elementary and middle school teachers who felt that they were unable to connect with their students the same way virtually as they could in person. One issue that a couple of them called out was the lack of interaction because of the need for students to be muted for a majority of the class in order to avoid audio chaos. This insight was the inspiration for the first paddle style icon. I then sent out a survey to some teachers, instructors, and professors to gather information about what kinds of things they wish their students would vocalize or indicate during virtual class time. These responses were used to develop a set of paddle icons for students to use to indicate needs, questions, or responses to things in class.
Project Future
The final goal for this project is to develop an online community where teachers can upload their own icon sets or download icon sets from other users. This platform would also provide featured icon sets from partnerships with designers and artists. Teachers could also use this platform to provide download links to each of their students, so each student can print and create their paddles at home.
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ScreenPaddles could also be adapted for use in other virtual gathering situations, such as college classes, work meetings, workshops or conferences.