Classroom Management with Devices

Today, I attended a meeting with all the building Technology Integration Specialists in our district. One of the things we are really focusing on as we go back to school is training our teachers on how to effectively manage their classroom while students are using devices. I made a list of some of the topics we covered. I would love to see what else you have to add!

1. Teach procedures from the very beginning

• Decide how you want students to use devices in your classroom and teach those procedures at the very beginning. If you do not set your expectations at the beginning of the year, it is going to be really tough to get students to follow them later. 

2. Have rules for using technology posted in the classroom

• Choose your top rules for students as they are using technology and post them in your classroom. Keep the list manageable so that students can remember the rules. If there are too many, it is hard for students to follow them and hard for you to monitor. 

3. Be mindful of your room arrangement

• Different room arrangements work well for different activities. If possible, choose the room arrangement with your goal in mind. Make sure there is room for you to walk around, stop and help students, and see their devices. 

4. Walk around the room

• This one is super important. Technology does not replace good classroom management. You have to walk around and monitor what students are doing with their devices. 

5. Partner students for some activities

• Sometimes it may be beneficial to pair students up with one device. This limits their ability to pull up different screens than whatever is being used for your lesson, and they can help hold each other accountable. 

6. Create engaging lessons

• If students are enjoying the lesson, they are less likely to be off task. With that being said, engagement is not the same as entertainment. Engaging students means getting them involved and making them do something. 

7. Don't pretend to be the tech expert

• You don't have to know everything there is to know about technology. Encourage your students to find answers to their technology problems and allow them to help each other. 

Every Kid Needs a Champion

Many of you have probably seen this Ted Talk before, but I think it is a great reminder, especially as we are about to begin the new school year. There is a big push to use technology in the classroom, and I am definitely one of those behind that push. However, we have to remember that technology cannot replace relationships, and building positive relationships with our students is so very important. Enjoy the video!

Back to School Meetings

I can't believe the back to school season is beginning already. Next week, I have my first back to school meeting with all of the building technology specialists. We are hoping to come away from the meeting with a concrete plan as to how we are going to encourage and train teachers to use technology in their classrooms. We do not want teachers to use technology just for the sake of using technology. It should be used in ways that will benefit students and improve the learning experience. One thing we really want to focus on is creating meaningful professional development for our teachers. What are some of the best PD opportunities you have had and what made them so great?

On My List...

Yes, I am one of those people that has a list for everything. I have a list of my lists. My job as a Technology Integration Coach is a new job this upcoming year. It is not just new to me, but a completely new position in the district. There is not a job description even in place yet, so it is up to me to define what this job is going to look like. Our goal is to get both teachers and students more comfortable using technology in the classroom. We also want them to use technology with a purpose and in ways that will enhance learning. Currently, one of my longest lists is that of ideas for the upcoming year. Feel free to add to my list with any ideas of your own or provide feedback on any items you have experience with.

1. Kyte Learning - Our district has access to Kyte Learning, which is a site with training videos on tons of technology tools and how to use them in education. I can actually assign teachers certain courses to take according to their individual needs.

2. Google Certification - I am working towards becoming a Google Certified Educator and am considering offering the same opportunity to any staff members who may be interested.

3. Swivl - The Swivl is a small robot that holds your iPad and swivels around to follow a person holding a remote. It is a great way to record yourself and reflect on your teaching. I could also use it to video myself of other teachers to share with the rest of the staff.

4. Book Study - I am considering holding a book study as a staff. I am not sure what book yet, but it would be something motivating and technology oriented.

5. Lunch & Learn - I need to gain the trust of the staff in our two middle schools because many of them do not know me. I would like to hold a "Lunch & Learn" once or twice a month where we would eat lunch together and discuss teaching practices, technology, ask questions, etc.

6. Digital Badges - I would really love to develop a badge program for our professional development to encourage teachers to try new things, share what they try, and then be able to recognize them for it. I am not exactly sure how this will look yet though.

7. Google Communities - One complaint in our district is the lack of opportunity for collaboration among the different schools, subjects, and grade levels. I would like to create Google Communities for each subject and grade level for teachers to talk, share, and collaborate.

9. Tech Newsletter - I am planning on using Smore to create a newsletter with technology tips and tricks that will be sent out to teachers once a month.

This is just a sample of what is on my list. I am still adding things all the time. As you can see, many of them are still in the early planning stages. I still have lots of work to do before school starts in August!