Tips for Using Technology in the Classroom

1. Use a Noise Meter (we particularly like the one on our website or on our app). There are plenty of good options. You can use the noise meter to keep the class quiet or set a high bar and see if they can get excited and set off the meter (assuming you have something they should be excited about and some noise won’t hurt.)

2. Use video for lessons and response material. It’s easier than ever to find informative video on the internet. A short video can help create an engaging lesson. Having students watch a short video so that they can identify main themes, information and react to the content can also provide a change-up to the practice of reading a passage then reacting to develop reading comprehension and writing skill.

3. Play a podcast. This online listening format is growing in popularity and you can find them on a variety of subjects in startling levels of depth. Find a good podcast on a subject. You can assign it the same way you would a reading passage, provide it as optional material or let it play in the background while students are doing independent work.

4. Share an online class calendar. There are an number of online calendars with sharing options, including the widespread Google Calendar (if you don’t mind a little spying). It will take some planning to get maximum benefit, but a shared calendar will help keep students coordinated with all the class activities. It may not eliminate all the excuses for missing assignments or due dates, but it can help.

5. Provide online content and activities for students who finish early. Collect as much additional material as possible so that students who complete lessons or independent work early have something to do besides become bored or disruptive. You may have to prepare some devices, depending on the age of your students and your school’s phone policies.

6. Study, proofread and critique the content of webpages. Huge amounts of content are published online everyday. If you frequent many websites, you’ll find that the writing isn’t always top-notch, often because the digital nature of the web means that mistakes can be easily corrected. That provides a lot of opportunity for students to try out their proofreading and editing skills. It can also be a chance to exercise logic and communications skills — did a blog post do a good job of conveying an idea? Was is clear? Was it easy to follow? Were ideas supported by facts?