Managing Screen Fatigue
Reading Tools
- Learn about tools that may help with online reading fatigue, including TextHelp’s ReadWrite and BeeLine Reader
- Consider listening to websites, content and readings
- Devices: Most devices have read-aloud tools built into them. Sometimes they are hidden and need to be activated. Most of the time they can be found in settings under Accessibility.
- Websites: Browser reading tools are free and built right into the browsers like Safari and Firefox.
- PDFs:
- ReadWrite can scan PDF files and export them as audio files.
- Adobe Acrobat can also read aloud using View > Read Aloud.
- PDF files need to be of decent quality for reading tools to work well. If this is not the case, talk with your professors and see if they can provide a better copy.
- If you are creating documents, you can take steps to improve the accessibility of the documents for all readers - including disabled readers who utilize text-to-speech technology. University of Washington has very good advice on creating high quality scans and creating accessible documents.
Additional ideas
- Try using yellow tinted glasses
- Take breaks:
- When on a Zoom call or watching a video recording, try closing your eyes and just listening
- Look out to a distance for a few seconds every 10 minutes
- Take screen breaks throughout each day
- If you are scheduling or leading Zoom sessions, try to build in and normalize breaks
- More ideas can be found in the ITS blog article “Tips for Reducing Eye Strain”
For students
- If you do not have reliable computer access or if you have internet access problems, email support@swarthmore.edu, submit a help ticket, or call the ITS Help Desk at 610-328-8513.
- If you need new or adjusted accommodations for a documented disability or chronic medical condition or if you have questions about disability accommodations, please contact Director of Student Disability Services Monica Vance (mvance1@swarthmore.edu). You can also visit the Student Disability Services website to learn more