Note: We absolutely do not promote or endorse texting in class. Please respect your teachers!
I don’t remember exactly what I did in in-person class around 45 minutes into a lecture on the Roman Empire. Maybe I doodled on my friend’s paper, or went to the Commons upstairs bathroom and endured the stink for a five-minute break -- maybe I paid close attention and took thoughtful and incredibly detailed notes. Regardless of what we used to do, our routine is a little different now, and we no longer have the privilege of a Commons bathroom. Westridge students have come up with many creative ways to make online classes more interesting -- purchasing wigs, using fun Teams backgrounds, and adding their witty commentary to the chat. Other students found the online equivalent of side conversations: texting.
Nothing too distracting, just… a picture of a dog. Their most recent tarot card readings. Love letters. The entire script of Narnia. An analysis of The Awakening. A Donna Summer song. Anything of the like.
But this is no easy task. It takes resolve and some physical flexibility. Here are some of the cleverest ways students text in class:
Basic B**** Computer Texting
Some people play it safe and keep it casual. The downside is they can’t send high-quality pictures of the underside of their chins. It just doesn’t provide the Sheer Thrill of being on two devices at once.
Phone Back-to-Back With Screen
Now we’re getting to the crazy stuff. Might make you look slightly glazed over but at least you’re looking straight forward. That doesn't mean you shouldn't get a little bit more creative.
Holding Phone Off to the Side
Arm strength required, if you do this you are probably ripped.
Holding Phone Straight Down
These students aren’t even trying to make it look like they are paying attention. If you do this, you don’t notice when your phone screen is reflected in your glasses, and you’re left alone in the Teams room because you don’t realize when class has ended.
Phone Duct-Taped to Wall Behind Computer
You’ll look very mysterious and a little bit regal: what are they looking at, off in the distance?
Enlist Parent to Hold Phone
Parenting just got a whole lot harder.
Telepathically Contact Your Friends
This is the only viable form of communication during class. You get to joke around while also focusing on the material, and no one gets hurt.
I don’t remember exactly what I did in in-person class around 45 minutes into a lecture on the Roman Empire. Maybe I doodled on my friend’s paper, or went to the Commons upstairs bathroom and endured the stink for a five-minute break -- maybe I paid close attention and took thoughtful and incredibly detailed notes. Regardless of what we used to do, our routine is a little different now, and we no longer have the privilege of a Commons bathroom. Westridge students have come up with many creative ways to make online classes more interesting -- purchasing wigs, using fun Teams backgrounds, and adding their witty commentary to the chat. Other students found the online equivalent of side conversations: texting.
Nothing too distracting, just… a picture of a dog. Their most recent tarot card readings. Love letters. The entire script of Narnia. An analysis of The Awakening. A Donna Summer song. Anything of the like.
But this is no easy task. It takes resolve and some physical flexibility. Here are some of the cleverest ways students text in class:
Basic B**** Computer Texting
Some people play it safe and keep it casual. The downside is they can’t send high-quality pictures of the underside of their chins. It just doesn’t provide the Sheer Thrill of being on two devices at once.
Phone Back-to-Back With Screen
Now we’re getting to the crazy stuff. Might make you look slightly glazed over but at least you’re looking straight forward. That doesn't mean you shouldn't get a little bit more creative.
Holding Phone Off to the Side
Arm strength required, if you do this you are probably ripped.
Holding Phone Straight Down
These students aren’t even trying to make it look like they are paying attention. If you do this, you don’t notice when your phone screen is reflected in your glasses, and you’re left alone in the Teams room because you don’t realize when class has ended.
Phone Duct-Taped to Wall Behind Computer
You’ll look very mysterious and a little bit regal: what are they looking at, off in the distance?
Enlist Parent to Hold Phone
Parenting just got a whole lot harder.
Telepathically Contact Your Friends
This is the only viable form of communication during class. You get to joke around while also focusing on the material, and no one gets hurt.