Discipline in the 1:1 Environment

Adding devices to the classroom creates new concerns and increased anxiety for most teachers. Technology is and it’s abrupt changes are enough to manage, but as more districts adopt 1:1 programs teachers must rethink classroom management. Before you pull your hair out, here are few tips:

Keep the Procedures

The same students have rules regarding when pencils are up are down, the same applies to a device. There may be times in the class period when students need to close their chromebooks or turn their ipads over. Students don’t need the screen available all the time. Regardless of whether or not your district has adopted a monitoring program, there will still be times that their attention will be on you. Simple signals such as turning off the lights, is a great way to let students know it’s time to remove ear buds and nix the screens (ipad screen, chromebook screen, or phone screen).

The Basics Still Apply

Good old school strategies still apply to this new school generation. Eye contact, proximity, and moving around are tried and true. Every teacher has their own version of “the eye”, use it. If students know that you’re constantly moving versus standing or sitting in the same place, they are less likely to access something inappropriate.

Automate Repetitive Tasks

There are some tasks that have to be done such as attendance, communicating lesson objectives, and the daily agenda. Attendance can be done by a free application called Plickers, simply scan the students’ plicker cards while they are lining up to come in or as they enter the classroom. All lesson materials can be shared using a Google Slide, Google Classroom, or class website. This also helps reinforce technology as a learning tool for kids.

Keep Instruction as the Focus

Teaching with technology doesn’t differ that greatly from traditional pedagogy. Good teaching is just that, with or without technology. Continue to think about what makes a lesson engaging and integrate those same strategies in with technology.

These are just a few ways to avoid P.A.T.D. (Panic About Technology Disorder). Any change is challenging just take it one day at a time.