Classroom Management Tips and Tricks

Procedures, Procedures, Procedures!!!!!!

Understand:

• If you have poor management now , technology will not solve the problem (it will likely make it worse).
• Adding technology to boring lessons does not make the lesson more interesting.

• Ultimately, this is your classroom. You must be comfortable with the technology before you integrate it into your curriculum. 

--GO SLOW
--Pick one technology tool/strategy and master it before moving.
--There are no expectations that you use technology for any certain % of time in class. 

Think about what works for you:

• Music? Headphones?
• "multitasking"?
• e-mail?
• CONSEQUENCES?
• Have clear expectations outlined and communicated before students use devices.
• Establish procedures and expectations for all of these things.
  
  

Before students arrive:

• Using technology requires lots of planning!
• Ensuring that you are using technology with a purpose alleviates a lot of off-task behavior!
  
• Test your lesson with a student device!
  
• Test all websites and links prior to student use to ensure nothing is blocked by content filtering.
  
• Always have a plan B!
  

Practical Tips

• Setup your room in a practical way that allows you to move around the room and utilize proximity.
  
• Identify and empower a class student tech leader to assist you with technology issues.
• Create a culture of collaboration in your room. Use "3 before me", which requires students to consult three resources (including their device and peers) before coming to you with a question.
  
• Establish Cues to ensure smooth transitions (Examples: "Apples up," to put devices face down and eyes on teacher, "Apples out," to get devices out and ready for use, .....)
• Make all students flip their iPads face down on the desk when you want to make an important point and want to ensure attention is on you.
• If you are not using devices for an activity or class period, make sure you have an established procedure/expectation for what students can and can't do with their devices.
• Bring it out when its needed. Put it up when it isn't needed.
  
• Start class with a technology task/bell-ringer to get students focused on class as opposed to doing personal things while waiting for you to start.
• If something doesn't work the first time, don't give up! Reflect on how you can make it work and try again.
  
• Create a standard naming convention (FirstLastNameofAssignment) for all files turned in to help eliminate questions and to help you better stay organized with a large influx of digital files.
  
• Collaborate, Collaborate, Collaborate!!! You are not in this boat alone. Collaborate with your peers and grow together!

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