Good classroom management with computers doesn't look that much different from good classroom management without computers. Good management is built from the ground up...
1. Lesson development & planning- plan ahead. Design for the good. Plan for the bad. Anticipate the ugly.
2. Expectations- Lay these out early. On the first day of class. Include specifics about technology. Post the expectations prominently in your room.
Set boundaries, create policies, make students
1. Lesson development & planning- plan ahead. Design for the good. Plan for the bad. Anticipate the ugly.
2. Expectations- Lay these out early. On the first day of class. Include specifics about technology. Post the expectations prominently in your room.
Set boundaries, create policies, make students
sign a contract. I always had a contract in my room, K-12th, and referred to it frequently. For high school, I also had a syllabus.
TIP: Example of my old art room syllabus Are the kids going to think you're running North Korea instead of a classroom? Maybe at first. Too bad. You're the one with a degree, and it's your classroom.
4. MWA- Management by Walking Around (Technical term) Look at their screens. Frequently. By frequently I mean constantly. Ask them what they're looking at. Ask them what's in their other windows/tabs. Especially at first or if you're trying to break existing bad habits. MWA is far better than any surveillance software, guaranteed.
5. Consistency- Follow policy. Every kid. Every time. When there's less gray area, kids test boundaries less.
TIP: Build in some wiggle-room in your policy language. For instance, "Respect all students, teachers, guests, and self; no exceptions." A broad range of behaviors falls under this statement so you can easily and consistently reinforce rules from situation to situation.
6. Class arrangement- You know your kids and your classroom better than anyone. Arrange your space efficiently (power cords, charging stations, etc.), logically, and minimize social friction where you can.
TIP: If you can, use rows so from a single vantage point you can see nearly all student screens in your room. Search for other ideas online or using Pinterest.
7. Use timers- Time different tasks in your class. Display the timer on the big screen. It helps kids stay on task.
TIP: There are some timer Chrome web apps. (If you need anything unblocked, you know what to do.)
8. Down time- Have a plan. Have a classroom sign posted that's titled, "What to do if you've finished all of your work:" Enforce the rules, and follow through with consequences. Then, there really is no down time.
Click "Read More" below to read more tips.
TIP: Example of my old art room syllabus Are the kids going to think you're running North Korea instead of a classroom? Maybe at first. Too bad. You're the one with a degree, and it's your classroom.
4. MWA- Management by Walking Around (Technical term) Look at their screens. Frequently. By frequently I mean constantly. Ask them what they're looking at. Ask them what's in their other windows/tabs. Especially at first or if you're trying to break existing bad habits. MWA is far better than any surveillance software, guaranteed.
5. Consistency- Follow policy. Every kid. Every time. When there's less gray area, kids test boundaries less.
TIP: Build in some wiggle-room in your policy language. For instance, "Respect all students, teachers, guests, and self; no exceptions." A broad range of behaviors falls under this statement so you can easily and consistently reinforce rules from situation to situation.
6. Class arrangement- You know your kids and your classroom better than anyone. Arrange your space efficiently (power cords, charging stations, etc.), logically, and minimize social friction where you can.
TIP: If you can, use rows so from a single vantage point you can see nearly all student screens in your room. Search for other ideas online or using Pinterest.
7. Use timers- Time different tasks in your class. Display the timer on the big screen. It helps kids stay on task.
TIP: There are some timer Chrome web apps. (If you need anything unblocked, you know what to do.)
8. Down time- Have a plan. Have a classroom sign posted that's titled, "What to do if you've finished all of your work:" Enforce the rules, and follow through with consequences. Then, there really is no down time.
Click "Read More" below to read more tips.