Writing for The Chronicle of Higher Ed, Emory University Professor Pamela Scully argues that overuse of learning management systems (LMS) like Canvas and Blackboard contributes to student stress and disengagement. After holding dedicated conversations with her students, Scully found that constant LMS notifications combined with the system’s design encouraged last-minute, passive learning. In response, she adopted a “slow teaching” approach that minimizes LMS use, emphasizes paper journaling, and fosters reflection. Scully notes that this approach has been well received by students, with many describing the environment as calm and intellectually engaging. “Professors and administrators must think long and hard about how we are creating the very anxieties we lament,” she concludes.
