Technology
The use of technology in the classroom can have a significant impact on a teacher’s classroom management. However, some teachers may differ in their thinking with regards to technology use. Some teachers tend to see implementing technology into their lessons to be more work, and can cause a classroom to look hectic or not as structured. There is a lot of talk around the pros and cons of technology, but if it is used correctly, it can be one of the strongest management tools in a teacher’s toolbox.
An article written by Leanne Anderson called Technology Integration in Elementary Classroom (2011) discusses the use of technology in the classroom and how teachers and students feel about using it. Most of the negatives had to do with time constraints and lack of knowledge towards technology. Listed below are the teacher and student responses for using technology in the classroom:
· Makes lesson more efficient
· Very interactive and motivating
· Expands both the time and place for learning
· Gives a better understanding and wider range of expression
· Provides a platform for whole class discussions with less hassle
· More cost effective in the classroom (less photocopies and books)
· Provide many tools for differentiated instructions to cater for different needs and learning styles
· Collaboration (students can work with other students in a group, or all over the world)
When you have a classroom that is organized and is using technology efficiently students will be engaged, which will positively impact your classroom management.
Steve Katz posted a power point on using technology in the classroom and for classroom management in high school. His tips include:
· Have clear expectations
· Plan Well
· Use technology with a purpose (don’t add technology to the same old lesson)
· Test your lesson on a student computer (to ensure it works)
· Think about what technology works for you (headphones, music, chat, email, blogs)
· Have consequences put in place for misuse of technology
An article written by Leanne Anderson called Technology Integration in Elementary Classroom (2011) discusses the use of technology in the classroom and how teachers and students feel about using it. Most of the negatives had to do with time constraints and lack of knowledge towards technology. Listed below are the teacher and student responses for using technology in the classroom:
· Makes lesson more efficient
· Very interactive and motivating
· Expands both the time and place for learning
· Gives a better understanding and wider range of expression
· Provides a platform for whole class discussions with less hassle
· More cost effective in the classroom (less photocopies and books)
· Provide many tools for differentiated instructions to cater for different needs and learning styles
· Collaboration (students can work with other students in a group, or all over the world)
When you have a classroom that is organized and is using technology efficiently students will be engaged, which will positively impact your classroom management.
Steve Katz posted a power point on using technology in the classroom and for classroom management in high school. His tips include:
· Have clear expectations
· Plan Well
· Use technology with a purpose (don’t add technology to the same old lesson)
· Test your lesson on a student computer (to ensure it works)
· Think about what technology works for you (headphones, music, chat, email, blogs)
· Have consequences put in place for misuse of technology
Here are some ways to use technology in the classroom to aid in classroom management:
·Use SMART Notebook applications such as the timer and count down dynamite as visual countdowns to transition times throughout the day
·Use websites such as Edmodo or Hi5 to post assignments to students. Not only can they refer back it to anytime, anywhere, they can discuss the assignments with other classmates and the teacher on the website
·Integrating technologies such as netbooks, iPads (if available), digital camera, SMART Boards are great ways to get students engaged in the lesson/assignments. When students are engaged classroom management is impacted positively.
·Websites like Class DoJo are Internet based programs that allow teachers to give students positive feedback for good behaviour or vice versa for negative behaviour. The student can log in and see comments, as well as the parents and the administrators. Teachers are able to track behaviour and look back at a student’s progress. It is a website specifically set up to help with classroom management! Please Visit @ http://www.classdojo.com/
WHEN USING TECHNOLOGY ALWAYS MAKE SURE:
· Students are aware of how to handle the technologies being used
· Have classroom rules that must be followed when using technologies, or privileges may be taken away
· Demonstrate proper usage and proper netiquette to students so they are aware of what you expect
· If you are unsure of how to use a technology, learn more about it first before implementing it into your lessons
· Always test a technology before you use it for a lesson, to ensure it wont fail in the middle of an instructional block
· Make sure the technologies are up and running before students use them to cut down on wasted time
References
Anderson, L. (2011, 12 12). Technology integration in elementary classroom . Retrieved from
http://www.edutopia.org/groups/professional-developmentpersonal-learning-network/88375
Katz, S. (n.d.). Classroom management-high school. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/stevekatz/middle-
school-laptops
Unknown. (2011, 08 08). Essential educator . Retrieved from http://essentialeducator.org/?p=8191
Unknown. (n.d.). Conversation tools- mindtools 21st century education. Retrieved from
https://sites.google.com/site/mindtools21/conversation-tools
·Use SMART Notebook applications such as the timer and count down dynamite as visual countdowns to transition times throughout the day
·Use websites such as Edmodo or Hi5 to post assignments to students. Not only can they refer back it to anytime, anywhere, they can discuss the assignments with other classmates and the teacher on the website
·Integrating technologies such as netbooks, iPads (if available), digital camera, SMART Boards are great ways to get students engaged in the lesson/assignments. When students are engaged classroom management is impacted positively.
·Websites like Class DoJo are Internet based programs that allow teachers to give students positive feedback for good behaviour or vice versa for negative behaviour. The student can log in and see comments, as well as the parents and the administrators. Teachers are able to track behaviour and look back at a student’s progress. It is a website specifically set up to help with classroom management! Please Visit @ http://www.classdojo.com/
WHEN USING TECHNOLOGY ALWAYS MAKE SURE:
· Students are aware of how to handle the technologies being used
· Have classroom rules that must be followed when using technologies, or privileges may be taken away
· Demonstrate proper usage and proper netiquette to students so they are aware of what you expect
· If you are unsure of how to use a technology, learn more about it first before implementing it into your lessons
· Always test a technology before you use it for a lesson, to ensure it wont fail in the middle of an instructional block
· Make sure the technologies are up and running before students use them to cut down on wasted time
References
Anderson, L. (2011, 12 12). Technology integration in elementary classroom . Retrieved from
http://www.edutopia.org/groups/professional-developmentpersonal-learning-network/88375
Katz, S. (n.d.). Classroom management-high school. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/stevekatz/middle-
school-laptops
Unknown. (2011, 08 08). Essential educator . Retrieved from http://essentialeducator.org/?p=8191
Unknown. (n.d.). Conversation tools- mindtools 21st century education. Retrieved from
https://sites.google.com/site/mindtools21/conversation-tools