Mischievous Students in Online Classes: A Collection of Tricks, Tips, and Tales

During online classes, students sometimes engage in behaviors that can be disruptive or counterproductive to the learning environment. While these actions may not be labeled as 'horrible,' they certainly challenge educators to maintain an effective online classroom setting. This article explores some common strategies employed by students and the experiences of one mischief-maker.

Common Student Behaviors in Online Classes

Various forms of behavior can negatively affect online learning, including distractions, multitasking, inappropriate behavior, and non-participation. Here are a few examples:

Distrinctions and Multitasking

Students may be easily distracted by social media games or other non-academic content, leading to disengagement from the lesson. Some attempt to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously, such as texting or watching videos, which can hinder their focus and retention of information. These actions can significantly impede learning and burden educators with maintaining an effective online environment.

Inappropriate Behavior

Unacceptable behavior includes using the chat function to send irrelevant or offensive messages, making inappropriate comments, or engaging in pranks. Such actions can create a hostile environment, negatively affecting the overall learning experience.

Not Paying Attention

Some students may turn off their cameras or mute their microphones, leading to a lack of participation and interaction. Others may simply not attend classes, leading to gaps in learning and participation. Technical issues, such as poor internet connections or a lack of necessary technology, can similarly disrupt the learning experience.

A Mischievous Student's Tale

There are students who find innovative ways to remain engaged or mischievous during online classes. One such student, Ramyani, shared her experiences of mischievous behavior. While not intending to do anything harmful, certain actions led to unexpected outcomes.

Reading and Listening to Music

Ramyani was attending a Geography class and decided to study her favorite subject, Biology, while listening to some music. This was possible thanks to the new features of Google Meet. During the class, without her teacher's knowledge, she was engrossed in her Biology notes and a song on her headphones. Just as she was enjoying her distraction, her teacher called her name. In a moment of confusion, she inadvertently provided the correct answer to a question, embarrassing both herself and her teacher.

Common Mischievous Activities

Other common mischievous activities include:

Eating while attending classes Taking a stroll outside while attending classes Faking network problems and technical issues to avoid participation Chatting with friends through various apps, such as WhatsApp and Instagram Chat wars and engaging in unwanted chat activities

While these actions may seem harmless, they can still disrupt the learning environment and create challenges for educators. It's important to strike a balance between engagement and responsibility to maintain a positive online learning experience.

Conclusion

Online classes can be both a blessing and a challenge, especially when students try to find creative ways to stay engaged or mischievous. While some of these actions may lead to positive outcomes, such as unexpected correct answers, it's crucial for students to be mindful of the impact their behavior can have on the class and their own learning. Teachers and students alike should work together to create a positive and productive online learning environment.