Classroom Management Shifts in a 1:1 Classroom
This year I had the opportunity to pilot 1:1 with 3 of my 5 classes. I choose my 3 honors classes because I didn't anticipate having as many problems with the traditionally "more responsible" group of students. Although I have been very pleased with my students and I have loved the benefits of having immediate access to the internet, I have encounter many challenges that I didn't necessarily anticipate going in to the pilot.
I have come to the realization that as much as we think our students are technologically advanced, and they can "figure it out" on their own, they need our step by step guidance when trying something new. I plan to devote the second day of school next year to "chromebook"setup. I want to go through everything step by step, showing them where all my class materials are located and making sure they can access those tools Just like with content, students become easily frustrated and shut down when they don't know how to do something. I never want technology to create an unnecessary level of difficulty and prevent my students from understanding the content or completing an assignment.
I have found that Google Classroom is the best way to integrate technology and organization into my classroom. Rather than sending out a link through a fancy extension that may or may not be working that day, I simply post it on Google Classroom. My students are able to access Google Classroom quickly and easily, and it syncs beautifully with their other classes. Neuqua has consistently stressed consistency across the curriculum, and Google Classroom creates that technological consistency that our students need.
Just like with classroom management in a traditional classroom, setting up a routine in your classroom and building the groundwork over the first couple of days and weeks pays off throughout the year. Clear expectations about not only how to access the technology but also appropriate usage of the technology (i.e. no eating around the chromebooks, no drawing on the chromebooks, no removing keyboard keys and creating inappropriate sayings, etc.) are essential in a 1:1 classroom.
As I move into my second year teaching in a 1:1 classroom, my goals include:
- Keeping it SIMPLE!
- When students have to access too many websites, they get lost and give up. I want to go completely Google Classroom next year. Rather than giving them access to the drive and a google calendar, I plan to turn my Assignment Sheets into a Hyperdoc that includes anything they need for the course. All supplemental materials (such as websites) my students need to access will be posted to Google Classroom and labeled using the topics for quick and easy access. I will then embed the Assignment Sheet into my website for parents to access.
- Promote Digital Citizenship
- Through the technology courses I have taken over the past year, I have learned more and more about Digital Citizenship and the importance of growing a PLN. It is more important than ever to teach our students to be mindful of their digital footprint; and the impact their actions can have on themselves, others, or on their futures; but also the potential benefits of being able to connect with people they wouldn't normally have access to. Technology and social media has created several problems with cyberbullying and people being able to access a person's personal information and personal posts, but it is also an amazing way to connect with people around the world. I hope to teach my students to capitalize on the benefits of social media and being mindful of the lasting impact inappropriate internet activity can have.
Additional Resources:
This looks like an awesome book that I have added to my summer reading list.
Ok I want to hear from you! What challenges do you foresee happening next year, and how do you plan on being proactive in preventing them? What new classroom management procedures do you plan on adding to your 1:1 classroom next year? What new technology goals do you have for yourself and for your students? Feel free to comment below.
With our students receiving Chromebooks next year, I am concerned about whether our internet provider will be able to handle the additional capacity. I'm also concerned about whether students will remember to bring their Chromebooks. I have about two (different) students who need to borrow a calculator from the Class House on test days. I'm also anxious (excited) for the possibilities this will open up. I hadn't really thought about the spills and vandalism that you mentioned, but those are good points! How many times have I almost spilled something because I didn't realize a cup was right behind my laptop screen?!?
ReplyDeleteI really like your idea about taking time at the beginning of the school year to help students understand your expectations as well as where they can find information related to your class. It still surprises me when students don't know where to find my notes and answer keys after all of this time!
As far as goals for next year...I want to introduce one online activity in each unit. I have found some fantastic activities on Desmos, and I would like to have students collaborate and discuss math topics. I hope that I will far exceed this goal and introduce many more activities.
Amy,
DeleteI think if we are consistent as a school with requiring students to have charged Chromebooks, we should see that students are responsible with them. If we set the expectation AND we are consistent, I think (/ hope) they will be responsible with bringing them. Technology activities would be a good thing to start integrating into our PLC discussions. That would be a good time to create and share activities that we can use in our classes.
Katie,
DeleteI agree that PLC time is seemingly the perfect time to discuss and create activities. I think our struggle is that many teachers are in very different places with their understanding of technology as well as their desire to integrate technology into the classroom. After the meetings on Friday related to our building's roll-out of Chromebooks, I think it will be interesting to hear about the goals each teacher will set for themselves. That might open up a good discussion in PLC about how we can support each other through this transition.
I don't really see any problems arising next year. I spent the entire first month of the semester in the computer lab with my students working on their research papers. There were no issues with behavior or their use of the technology. If I were to think o fone problem that may arise with 1:1, that would be students not bringing their Chromebook or not having it charged. I would handle that the same way I handle students not having the appropriate materials for class. Like anything, we just need to begin with clear expectations and hold students accountable.
ReplyDeleteMike,
DeleteThat's a great point. It will also be SO nice not having to worry about lab space next year. I hated finding a really cool activity and not being able to do it because I couldn't find computers to use!