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Chapter 1 The Basics of Teaching With Technology

Classroom Management Strategies

The 5 Percent Rule

This may sound harsh, but I promise we mean it in the gentlest way possible: Regardless of age, gender, occupation, socioeconomic status, or education level, one of the things we have learned from speaking to teachers and audiences around the world is that 5 percent of any audience is crazy. And they are going to break the rules. However, we often punish 95 percent of our students from really engaging in learning opportunities because we are so concerned the 5 percent are going to misbehave or do something inappropriate. We must stop doing this in education.

When a student says a curse word, we don’t cut out everyone’s tongue. When two students get in a fight, we don’t suspend everyone from school. Policies like that would be ridiculous and unfair to the majority of students who speak and act in peaceful ways. In a similar fashion, we also have to make sure that we do not overreact when a student does something inappropriate with technology. We have to respond appropriately, just as we would when a curse word is spoken or a fight occurs.

We understand that there is a difference when something inappropriate happens digitally because it can spread so quickly. However, our focus as educators should be on teaching appropriate and responsible use of technology. The only way we can do this is to actually allow students to use the technology and know that there are some who are going to make mistakes no matter what we do.

For the times when bad things happen with technology (and they will), we suggest having policies in place just as we have for when students get into a fight or when a student says a curse word. We suggest outlining these policies in an acceptable use policy (see an example at our companion website www.resources.corwin.com/lastbackpack) and distributing it to all of the stakeholders so that everyone is on the same page. If a student makes a mistake, he or she should be disciplined, but with the exception of the peer pressure suggestion that follows, every other child should not be disciplined if one or two students repeatedly make mistakes.

The tips on the following pages are suggestions for simple, effective, proven ways to handle classroom management appropriately. The 5 percent should not control the 95 percent, and we too often let that occur. Instead, with some good classroom management and engaging lessons, we can provide wonderful learning opportunities for our students.

Two Quotes to Consider

“If a child is off-task, perhaps the problem is not the child, but the task.”

—Alfie Kohn

“Make work interesting, and discipline will take care of itself.”

—E.B. White

Strategies for Working With Technology

These are some strategies to help you get started. Because you know your students best, some of these strategies may work better than others, depending on the age group, topic, and so on. However, all can be very effective if used consistently. Please see the companion website for video demonstrations.

1. Dock Your Device

When you say, “Dock your device,” students will put their devices face down in a place you have designated on their desk or table (i.e., the top right corner of students’ desks). As the teacher, you always want to see the device, so you define a place it should go when not in use. If you merely say, “Put it away,” it most likely goes under their desk where they are still engaged with it. However, if it is on the table where you can see it, you can determine if it is being used properly.

This is great during teachable moments when you want their eyes on you.