Teachers Holding Online Classes Explain What They've Learned About Their Students' Home Lives

Cat Hang Up.

Not a teacher, but a student in Uni. It's fun to see my classmates younger siblings coming to annoy them or ask for help with their school stuff. Also, it's amazing to see other pets and their habits, especially when a cat ends calls. NakoNii

Oh Craaaapppp!!!

A kid was watching Dragon Ball Z in English. Screamed ohhhh craaaaaaaapppp while Frieza got cut in half. Catacrew1

Dbz dub is actually better for me, Goku sounds better and there are some funny moments with the translation, "Don't shoot, he's not black." Killarusca

The Dingy....

Just how SOUTHERN one of my student's family is. She has no discernible accent (we are in N.C.) but her family sounds like rural Alabama stereotypes. Also, her grandmother said I was an idiot (to my Zoom meeting face!) because I said corn dogs weren't good for cats. So... I understand why this student is maybe a bit dingy. AreYouALavaBeaver

Seek Help. 

Not a teacher, a therapist.

I've learned that as bouncy and distracted as kids are in my office, at home they are much worse.

It's fun to see where all my patients live though, and sometimes meet their families inadvertently (they invite the family over to see, Not breaching confidentiality) and the best part is getting to meet SO many puppies!! sexy_syzygy

3 Second Rule.

My friend Audrey said a teacher told her that he saw a kid spill a Pepsi on the floor and start licking it up. gorgon277

Computer Time. 

I volunteer at a group home, and the kids have very limited time on computers, so they had to excuse themselves from google classroom. They also have to be watched the entire time, so I sit there watching them scroll through whatever work they are given. I often act as a tutor, and help where I can. If you're a teacher and you're reading this, grade this stuff generously please. I'm in college and some of these homework packets would probably take me months to finish. userasdfghjk

In Need. 

I teach at two NYC community colleges. I've had to make live lectures optional and set up my course with a lot of low-bandwidth options. Most of my students reported having consistent internet and computer access, but I'm trying to maximize accessibility. Even still, I'm expecting some students will need to bail out and try again next semester when things are back to normal. paleo2002

I'm off the clock!!!

That a week's downtime turns students into nocturnal wilder beasts. Seriously I had a math class planned this morning at 8. First student signed in at 1030 with 50 min left. 40% had signed into the class by 1400. And only now at 1915 does the questions start coming in on Teams.

You know what guys? Screw you, I'm off the clock! Jumbobog

Got You on Camera.

One mom swore up and down that she didn't have a laptop for her kid to do google classroom.

Compromise: take a picture of her son completing the packet I sent home.

In the background of the picture: a brand new Mac just hanging out. Banthefrack

So Rude. 

I was in a small group meeting on zoom with my college prof today. One of the guys didn't realize his mic was on and yelled super angrily at his family member "WTH are you doing?! I'm on a video call with my professor right now. Get the hell out!" A girl did a similar thing last week too. Apparently people speaking really rudely to their family is normal...? Ashamed_SkirtSuit

Radiating....

That their parents limit computer time and yell at them about using a computer while they're in class. That and a lot of parents are still worried about radiation from using a monitor for too long. Ummm, our school laptops don't have CRTs. rudeteacher1955

Purr/Woof....

Mostly, I'm getting to see students' pets. I've seen rabbits, birds, and lizards now. FortressofTrees

Awww, I want to see cool pets. Maybe I should start using video for my live lectures after all. paleo2002

Eyes Wide Open....

I saw an article about a school in Finland that sent an email home to all the parents asking the dads to wear pants around the house - apparently a lot of them were walking around sans trousers in the background while their kids were videoconferencing with the class. gavinski91

The Right Way! 

The students who show up a little sloppy to class, crank it up to 11 at home. Coloradical27

I literally did not get out of bed, alarm set for 7:55am, wake up, connect to zoom at 8:00am, nuts out (under the covers) THE RIGHT WAY TO LEARN! writingwithmovement

step 1 is realizing no one gives a care.....

step 2 is not giving a care....

step 3 is wanting to be comfortable.....

3 special steps, thats all you need.... writingwithmovement

Cereal Student.

I just got off an online class and my teacher said she saw a student in another class eating cereal on the kitchen floor. simmigamergurl21

Same Old....

I teach preschool and we're doing daily zoom meetings... today two kids had a meltdown bc I didn't talk to them soon enough, one kid wouldn't stop singing, one kid was playing legos on the floor, and another was literally just running around outside.

Not much different than my everyday tbh 🤷♀️. l-ilac-win-e

Mute People!! 

Student here but my first lecture was today and I gotta say, people don't participate in physical classes like they do online, like wow we have 10 people actively talking compared to maybe 4

That and weird stuff happens when people don't mute mics. throwaway126400963

I'm in a usual lecture of roughly 300 & today we only had about 12 online. I was actually happier with it cause I'm such a nervous person I felt like I could connect more with my professor. TheNarwhalMom

We're Listening....

Student here, my parents yell at each other an awful lot and now classmates of mine who used to be awful to me are unusually polite. My psych teacher recently told me he's always there if I need to talk. sm0ldering_heart

I was on a call with my boss as I'm working from home and my parents were having a discussion with opposing view points that got a little loud... I hope she didn't hear them, as my door was closed. on the other hand, during a team meeting someone's got kids that are loud and behave like high energy kids so that made me feel better. TorrentialKiwi

Kiddo Time. 

A lot of my high schoolers have adorable small siblings. We commiserate at their siblings and my toddler interrupting our google meets and at the end of classes we let the kiddos use the screen to hang out. Lets_Call_It_Wit

Cleo.

I've learned the names and habits of /so many/ cats and dogs. my favorite is a student's dog named Cleo. Cleo is the very best of boys, big solid lad. Hedgiwithapen