On this episode of Graduating Anxiety, Alex interviews Nina Angelo, VP of Product Marketing at Top Hat. Top Hat produces education software products to help keep students and educators engaged, motivated and moving forward, even in blended or remote learning environments. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, technology became much more prevalent in every aspect of our lives, from how we communicate and socialize to how we educate and are educated. But the role of technology is multifaceted, and not without its challenges, especially for students suffering from anxiety. How do we build a learning environment where technology is working for the students, not against them? Can technology actually benefit anxious learners? And which of these changes are here to stay, even beyond the pandemic?    

Key Takeaways:  

• It’s easy for remote learning to just seem like another hurdle anxious learners have to overcome but there are actually many ways educators can use platforms like Top Hat to customize education plans to suit the needs of each individual learner.
• We have heard it a million times by this point-- but we’re all in this together. Most teachers are struggling to adapt to remote first learning, just like students are. It’s okay to have challenges as long as you keep trying and working in pursuit of a goal.
• Technology is a product of the person operating it. If you’re a good teacher, you will be a good one on online platforms, despite challenges. If you’re a good student, you will find your stride with remote learning with time.