Thing Fifteen- Digital Classroom Management
This module was all about adding technology and computer devices to the classroom and how technology can help with classroom management and enhance teaching and learning experiences. The first management tool that I created was a ClassDojo account. This tool will be so useful for when I have my own classroom and I can add each one of my students to it and keep information about assignments and behavior, and much more. It is like having a virtual classroom that I can connect to other classrooms with as well as give access to administrators, parents, and even students. Below is a screenshot of the ClassMojo account that I created.
As a teacher, I plan on providing my students with access to a device for certain activities and lessons. I do plan on implementing a 1:1 student to device ratio in my classroom, however I will not provide access to those devices at all times. I do not want my students to become totally dependent upon technology and I hope that I can keep them engaged off of screen time. I think including technology in my classroom will definitely change the classroom climate, and I think in some ways it can help students stay more engaged however, if it becomes a distraction, I will have to take away privileges until students can learn to respect and properly use the provided devices. Overall though, having a 1:1 classroom will be a huge help and make teaching and learning a more enriching experience.
The next thing I created in this module was a Celly account. Celly lets anyone - organizations, groups, and individuals - create "cells". The "cells" are instant, free, and create mobile social networks for group communication. I can send out group or group texts to families or other teachers, or even students that they are not able to reply to. This is a way to send out quick reminders or pieces of information to families that I want them to remember. I think this will be a great resource to use as a teacher. These and so many other Positive Behavior and Communication tools can be used with students and parents to maintain strong classroom management and keep everyone on the same page about classroom happenings such as events, field trips, speakers, and due dates.