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In today’s world, chances are you use technology in your classroom. And who wouldn’t, right? Technology has great benefits.
But if you’re like me, the thought of having 28 sixth graders online at the same time, feels like a disaster waiting to happen.
The last thing I want is my own child googling who knows what – and I definitely don’t want to manage a classroom of students with who knows what popping up on the screen.
So what’s the answer?
As a good teacher, you want to take advantage of the web. And yes, there are wonderful lessons on using technology responsibly, and how to search, evaluate, and identify reliable resources.
But let’s face it – there’s not always time for that. And sometimes, you want the students to focus on the research/information, or another aspect of the particular lesson.
My answer: Use your classroom website.
When I have a lesson that involves students being online, their instructions are to navigate to my classroom webpage (which is posted on the board nice and big – they type in the URL address) and use ONLY the links I have provided on my webpage for the assignment.
Sometimes those links are to individual biography webpages. Sometimes the link is to an entire lib-guide put together by my librarian.
No matter what they are doing online – the links are provided for on my webpage.
My #1 rule with technology with my students = the ONLY thing you are allowed to do, is what you are instructed to do! Anything else results in losing computer privileges and a zero on the assignment. (This includes everything from visiting other sites to changing settings and pictures)
This takes away SO much of the classroom management stress of worrying my students are in the wrong place – or seeing the wrong thing!
There is a time and a place for every lesson. Conducting online web search responsibly, is definitely one of them. But sometimes the content needs to be the focus. And alleviating the management piece makes it easier to keep that focus!
But if you’re like me, the thought of having 28 sixth graders online at the same time, feels like a disaster waiting to happen.
The last thing I want is my own child googling who knows what – and I definitely don’t want to manage a classroom of students with who knows what popping up on the screen.
So what’s the answer?
As a good teacher, you want to take advantage of the web. And yes, there are wonderful lessons on using technology responsibly, and how to search, evaluate, and identify reliable resources.
But let’s face it – there’s not always time for that. And sometimes, you want the students to focus on the research/information, or another aspect of the particular lesson.
My answer: Use your classroom website.
When I have a lesson that involves students being online, their instructions are to navigate to my classroom webpage (which is posted on the board nice and big – they type in the URL address) and use ONLY the links I have provided on my webpage for the assignment.
Sometimes those links are to individual biography webpages. Sometimes the link is to an entire lib-guide put together by my librarian.
No matter what they are doing online – the links are provided for on my webpage.
My #1 rule with technology with my students = the ONLY thing you are allowed to do, is what you are instructed to do! Anything else results in losing computer privileges and a zero on the assignment. (This includes everything from visiting other sites to changing settings and pictures)
This takes away SO much of the classroom management stress of worrying my students are in the wrong place – or seeing the wrong thing!
There is a time and a place for every lesson. Conducting online web search responsibly, is definitely one of them. But sometimes the content needs to be the focus. And alleviating the management piece makes it easier to keep that focus!
Welcome! I'm Hillary Midgley, a 6th grade teacher of 14+ years. This website is dedicated to helping fellow teachers become the teacher they want to be. I strive to provide resources and guidance to help teachers in as many ways possible. Learn more about me here.
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