Nan Nicholls
Slippery Rock University
Challenge: Student disengagement has become more visible.
As Nan shared: “In the classroom, it seems that students are disengaged… people being distracted by their phones… that’s what I’ve observed.”
Participation drops, attention shifts, and meaningful interaction becomes harder to sustain.
The human moment
Nan described seeing a growing shift from active participation to passive presence in learning spaces.
What stood out wasn’t just distraction; it was the loss of connection between students, faculty, and the learning experience itself.
That’s where Yellowdig became part of the conversation: not as another discussion tool, but as a way to extend interaction beyond the classroom and foster more natural, ongoing dialogue among students.
The proof
- Lower participation in classroom discussions
- Increased distractions during class sessions
- Less organic interaction between students
- Growing gap between teaching and student attention
- Disengagement is often a signal of disconnection
- Participation becomes performative when students do not feel connected
- Students are more likely to engage when conversation feels authentic
- Human interaction remains central to meaningful learning
- Faculty: Extend conversations beyond scheduled class time
- Instructional Design: Create spaces designed for interaction, not just submission
- Student Success: Focus on belonging and peer connection
- Online Programs: Support ongoing conversation that feels more human and less transactional
