One to Five Computer Classroom Management Strategies

If this is one of the first times you are planning a unit that uses technology or small groups, below are commonly overlooked but important planning details.

• Computer use ground rules:  Acceptable Use Policies are often not enough, nor are they written in students’ language.  Post some ground rules relevant to use in your classroom.
• Computer use instructions:  If your lesson includes computer use, make sure step-by-step instructions are clear.
• Information processing:  If students are visiting web sites, make sure it’s clear what they are to do with the information once they find it.
• Hardcopies:  Computer activities can flow better if hardcopies are made to facilitate pre-computer work.
• Non-computer details:  Teachers designing their first computer activity sometimes forget to design what the rest of the kids are doing.
• Station checklists:  Checklists that list all activities that need completed at a particular station can help students begin to take ownership of their learning and free teacher.
• Station logs:  Teachers can learn important things if logs are kept, particularly at computer (e.g., time on computer, usefulness of site, usability of site, ect.).
• Rotation strategies:  Rotation strategy should be clear.  When to rotate and what to do if group is finished prior to rotation, or what they should do if not finished.
• Student roles:  Defining role prior to total breakdown is commonly overlooked.
• Group ground rules:  How are they to act, and what are they to do if they get stuck?
• Plan B:  What are you and your students going to do if something goes wrong (e.g., network down)?

Taken from ETIP Project 2002