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Classroom Management Techniques Digital Devices. Here are four simple techniques to use with
your students as they utilize technology in the classroom.
The first is called Doc your Device. In this technique you teach students to place
their device face down at a specific location on their desk. In this example that is the
left upper corner of their desk. [Teacher off screen] "Ladies and Gentlemen I'm going to stop you
for a minute, please dock your devices. Please dock your devices. Thank You"
In this classroom arrangement, it is very easy for the teacher to then look down each row to
ensure each student has complied with the directive.
The next technique is called Devices Up. This is particularly helpful with smaller devices
as students raise the device over their head with the screen facing forward.
It is important that all students comply with the command immediately.
[Teacher off screen] "Ladies and Gentlemen, devices up please. Devices up."
[Teacher off screen] Thank you, Thank you, I can see what you are all working on. Thank you very much,"
You may notice that this young lady [indicated] hesitated before raising her device.
It would be important for me to pull her aside and reinforce the need to immediately raise the device.
She appeared to be on task, however for consistency across the classroom, it is important that
all students immediately raise their device facing forward so that those students who
perhaps are off task do not have the opportunity to change screens to something more appropriate.
The next technique is called Hands Up. This technique is especially useful when students
are using devices and other students are not. The students will stop what they are doing
and immediately raise their hands. This gives the teacher the opportunity to quickly walk
around see what students are currently working on.
[Teacher off screen] "Ladies and Gentlemen, I need your attention for a minute please hands up. Thank you."
The last technique is really two and its a tried and true management technique in the classroom.
It is especially important to utilize proximity and peer pressure where technology is concerned.
Studies have shown with proximity that if the teacher is near the student, the student is more likely to be on task.
Peer pressure when technology is used is extremely helpful.
Students want to use their technology in class and know if someone is off task on something they are not suppose to be on
they are likely to all loose their technology rights.
Here are both proximity and peer pressure in action.
[Teacher to student in back] unintelligible [Student whispers to another student] "Hey get on the right thing." [Student responds] "Ok"
[Teacher] "I see everyone is working very hard. I know your device is a real asset to you.
Some of your are using it to look up definitions.
Is everyone doing what they are supposed to be doing? Everything OK over here?" [Student] "Un huh"
[Teacher] "OK" If I ask you to turn it over will I see what I'm supposed to see?'
[Student} "Un huh, I'm searching for something"
[Teacher] "Ok, glad you are staying on track." [Students high five]
With these techniques and any other technique it is important that we implement them appropriately
that means that we teach the technique explicitly and we practice, practice, practice.
We need to make sure that the assignments and tasks we give our students are engaging and meaningful.
We need to have clear technology expectations in our classroom and there need to be consequences
should a student not follow those expectations.
Most importantly you need to find the techniques that work for you in your classroom.
Choose one or two techniques, stick with them, be consistent and technology will be beneficial to you and your students.