Managing a 1:1 Classroom

Today nearly everyone in the United States has access to the internet. Furthermore, children are learning to learn on digital devices in classrooms and at home. What does this mean for the future of educators in the classroom?

First, technology management skills will be crucial. While these devices are powerful learning tools they are not without their downsides. Many children get distracted working on projects or playing games on their computers while the teacher is talking. This is not good for learning. Teachers in the 21st century and beyond will have to learn how to manage their students use of technology appropriately without seeming like the bad guy. Some simple tricks could involve having students shut their computer screens when the teacher is talking or simply rotating the screens of their children when they are talking and giving group directions. These strategies not only enhance the degree to which students are paying attention, but also help the students use their technology when it is an appropriate time. With 1 computer to 1 student classrooms on the rise, it is vital that management tools be used.

 

Second, teachers need to catch up to their students! Today, many students know more about their devices than the students do. This is not good. Teachers who wish to tech must know how tech is used. This sounds simple enough, but the point could not be more crucial to learners and teachers today. Using systems look zoom, google classroom, and other platforms are going to be crucial to keeping children ahead of the curve globally and the work could not be done soon enough.

Lastly, teachers need not fear technology. Technology has a long history of resistance and fear dating back to the days of the original luddites in the early 19th century. While their fears of their jobs being taken over by technology may have been valid, today jobs are being created because of technology. Many people work from home and have jobs that were inconceivable 10 years prior. This means that fear of technology needs to go away and instead we need to embrace all the wonderful things it can do for us as a human race. This starts with educators in the classroom being pro tech.