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Classroom Management in the Digital Age: Effective Practices for Technology-Rich Learning Spaces
You can set the learning in your classroom free with a strong classroom management plan. The education landscape is shifting. Information accessibility grows while attention spans shrink. Media is king and yet teachers are expected to effectively harness it for learning while also managing the distractions technology tools bring. Keeping up with the times while keeping time-wasters and senseless screen staring down is new and difficult territory for the most seasoned educator.Don’t fear the devices! In the willing teacher’s hands, this is a new and welcome age to harness for exponential learning. It is a frontier where technology equipped teachers learn alongside students and utilize current tools to maximize collaboration, creativity, and communication in relevant ways. Classroom Management in the Digital Age guides and supports established and transitioning device-rich classrooms, providing practical strategy to novice and expert educators K-12. Update your own operating system for the digital age by Getting attention from those device focused facesEstablishing procedures for daily class routines that harness the power of technology toolsCultivating a culture of student ownership and responsibilityDeveloping routines that increase on-task behavior and lessen teacher anxietyCommunicating with parents on best practices and consistent school to home behaviorsDecreasing distraction with simple, helpful tipsLetting go of being the expert and taking charge by partnering in learningClassroom Management in the Digital Age offers teachers competency and confidence. If you have devices in your classroom already or if you’re moving towards implementing tablets, iPads, Chromebooks, or any other device, Classroom Management in the Digital Age will partner with you in creating relevant classrooms where learning rules.
104 pages, Paperback
Published August 17, 2016
94 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 26, 2017
I think this book would be more beneficial to teachers that are just getting technology in a high school setting. As an elementary teacher I did not have a lot to take away from this.
March 2, 2018
Classroom Management for the Digital Age written by Heather Dowd and Patrick Green seeks to offer insight into how to apply much of what classroom management educators already know and use plus new strategies in a classroom that has technology. Both authors are qualified educators that are leaders in technology education who are passionate about teaching and learning. Heather Dowd helps lead professional learning on helping teachers develop engaging learning experiences. The co-author, Patrick Green, is an Educational Technology Coordinator and Site Director for the Global Online Academy for the Singapore American School.
Although the book discusses various scenarios and classroom situations, it is geared more towards a classroom that is a 1:1 setting. The book uses the term “device” which can be anything from Macbooks and Chromebooks to iPads and Android tablets. Classroom procedures, rules and expectations, teaching tips and strategies, and partnering with parents are the four chapters in the book.
Dowd and Green say that procedures decrease poor behavior and disruptions in class since students are less likely to misbehave when expectations are thoroughly understood. As technology is often criticized for being a distraction they recommend a variety of ideas to get attention off of a device. One procedure that takes time to perfect and needs to be consistently practiced is how students turn in work digitally. Using methods such as using a digital drop box or student blog to turn assignments in can save time.
Classroom management is having clear rules and expectations in place. Dowd and Green believe that a school wide discipline plan such as a Digital Citizenship Agreement is the best place to start and every school should utilize one. Creating rules that are realistically enforceable and following through with consequences will help with difficult behaviors. As teachers contemplate their expectation for their class it is necessary to keep in mind the end goal of using technology for learning and if challenges arise always keep that goal in mind.
Classroom arrangement it at the top of the list of strategies for improving classroom management. In the digital age it is necessary to be flexible with seating. Many activities include the use of technology and collaboration and classrooms are more student- centered, teachers need to be more mobile and flexible with seating. The best way to combat difficult behavior is by designing lessons that challenge students and allow them to be creative. Getting them interested in what they are learning or giving them more choice about how they can complete assignment is effective.
Establishing communication with parents helps create a partnership that centers around the goals for the students. Some ways to improve parent involvement when it comes to technology are through classroom websites, newsletters, social media pages, and open house nights where parents can come and learn and interact.
Classroom Management for the Digital Age is a user friendly book that is easy to read and apply to any classroom that has electronic devices. Many of the ideas for classroom management are things that teachers do naturally in the classroom before technology became so widely used. There are useful ideas in the first two chapters of classroom procedures and rules and expectations. The biggest take away would be the section on charging devices that go home with students. This is often a problem in the 1:1 setting and the responsibility of having a device charged needs to be on the student. The expectation needs to be clear that coming without the device charged is showing that you are unprepared and there are consequences.
Chapter three is full of tips and strategies for successful technology implementation and the most useful chapter for someone who is already implementing technology in a 1:1 setting. The information on the importance of classroom arrangements and having screen visibility at all times is important. This is often one of the biggest obstacles to overcome because it can be difficult to keep each student on task. The teacher tips on how to stay organized in technology lessons are things that many teachers would benefit from such as book marking pages one intends to use. Ways to keep students engaged with technology to improve classroom management effectively outlines ways for teachers to motivate students to work hard and be 21st century learners. The chapter on parent partnering is a fantastic section that briefly explains how to involve parents in the process of technology implementation and use, but it is short and requires more specific examples as this is an area that is often overlooked. A section on getting parents involved in their learning through technology would have been a great addition.
Although the book discusses various scenarios and classroom situations, it is geared more towards a classroom that is a 1:1 setting. The book uses the term “device” which can be anything from Macbooks and Chromebooks to iPads and Android tablets. Classroom procedures, rules and expectations, teaching tips and strategies, and partnering with parents are the four chapters in the book.
Dowd and Green say that procedures decrease poor behavior and disruptions in class since students are less likely to misbehave when expectations are thoroughly understood. As technology is often criticized for being a distraction they recommend a variety of ideas to get attention off of a device. One procedure that takes time to perfect and needs to be consistently practiced is how students turn in work digitally. Using methods such as using a digital drop box or student blog to turn assignments in can save time.
Classroom management is having clear rules and expectations in place. Dowd and Green believe that a school wide discipline plan such as a Digital Citizenship Agreement is the best place to start and every school should utilize one. Creating rules that are realistically enforceable and following through with consequences will help with difficult behaviors. As teachers contemplate their expectation for their class it is necessary to keep in mind the end goal of using technology for learning and if challenges arise always keep that goal in mind.
Classroom arrangement it at the top of the list of strategies for improving classroom management. In the digital age it is necessary to be flexible with seating. Many activities include the use of technology and collaboration and classrooms are more student- centered, teachers need to be more mobile and flexible with seating. The best way to combat difficult behavior is by designing lessons that challenge students and allow them to be creative. Getting them interested in what they are learning or giving them more choice about how they can complete assignment is effective.
Establishing communication with parents helps create a partnership that centers around the goals for the students. Some ways to improve parent involvement when it comes to technology are through classroom websites, newsletters, social media pages, and open house nights where parents can come and learn and interact.
Classroom Management for the Digital Age is a user friendly book that is easy to read and apply to any classroom that has electronic devices. Many of the ideas for classroom management are things that teachers do naturally in the classroom before technology became so widely used. There are useful ideas in the first two chapters of classroom procedures and rules and expectations. The biggest take away would be the section on charging devices that go home with students. This is often a problem in the 1:1 setting and the responsibility of having a device charged needs to be on the student. The expectation needs to be clear that coming without the device charged is showing that you are unprepared and there are consequences.
Chapter three is full of tips and strategies for successful technology implementation and the most useful chapter for someone who is already implementing technology in a 1:1 setting. The information on the importance of classroom arrangements and having screen visibility at all times is important. This is often one of the biggest obstacles to overcome because it can be difficult to keep each student on task. The teacher tips on how to stay organized in technology lessons are things that many teachers would benefit from such as book marking pages one intends to use. Ways to keep students engaged with technology to improve classroom management effectively outlines ways for teachers to motivate students to work hard and be 21st century learners. The chapter on parent partnering is a fantastic section that briefly explains how to involve parents in the process of technology implementation and use, but it is short and requires more specific examples as this is an area that is often overlooked. A section on getting parents involved in their learning through technology would have been a great addition.
September 14, 2016
This book was MARVELOUS. If you have ever thought to yourself, hm, the classic ed texts are great, but we really could use some digital updates - this book is for you! I was writing "yep" and "wish I knew that earlier!" the entire text. Awesome resource for educators. May well be a great book club selection too for PD or PLCs!
December 30, 2019
I led a book study group of 24 teachers for this book. It's a quick and easy ready (only 68 pages) with good information for those new to teaching or new to using devices in the classroom.
"The education landscape is shifting. Information accessibility grows while attention spans shrink. Media is king and yet teachers are expected to effectively harness it for learning while also managing the distractions technology tools bring. Keeping up with the times while keeping time-wasters and senseless screen staring down is new and difficult territory for the most seasoned educator. Don't fear the devices! In the willing teacher's hands, this is a new and welcome age to harness for exponential learning. It is a frontier where technology equipped teachers learn alongside students and utilize current tools to maximize collaboration, creativity, and communication in relevant ways. Classroom Management in the Digital Age guides and supports established and transitioning device-rich classrooms, providing practical strategy to novice and expert educators K-12."
"The education landscape is shifting. Information accessibility grows while attention spans shrink. Media is king and yet teachers are expected to effectively harness it for learning while also managing the distractions technology tools bring. Keeping up with the times while keeping time-wasters and senseless screen staring down is new and difficult territory for the most seasoned educator. Don't fear the devices! In the willing teacher's hands, this is a new and welcome age to harness for exponential learning. It is a frontier where technology equipped teachers learn alongside students and utilize current tools to maximize collaboration, creativity, and communication in relevant ways. Classroom Management in the Digital Age guides and supports established and transitioning device-rich classrooms, providing practical strategy to novice and expert educators K-12."
June 10, 2017
This quick, intensely practical read will help teachers adapt their teaching practices to a 1:1 setting. However, it will also be helpful for a teacher looking for new ideas for how to incorporate technology and devices in a classroom setting while keeping students engaged in the task at hand.
February 13, 2019
Manejo del salón de clases en la era digital
Excelente libro, con muchas pautas y guías de cómo desempeñarse en un aula del siglo XXI, un libro que te convertirá en un maestro ATREVIDO con la tecnología 😉
Excelente libro, con muchas pautas y guías de cómo desempeñarse en un aula del siglo XXI, un libro que te convertirá en un maestro ATREVIDO con la tecnología 😉
May 1, 2019
Classroom for the Digital Age, written by Heather Dowd and Patrick Green, offers insight into classroom management for the 21st Century classroom. It applies what a lot of teachers already know about classroom management, and adds new strategies to help a classroom with technology run more smoothly. Both authors are qualified educators that are leaders in technology education, and both are passionate about teaching and learning. One of the authors, Heather Dowd, is a teacher, educational technology coach, Google for Education Certified Innovator/Trainer, an Apple Distinguished Educator, and a Common Sense Digital Citizenship Certified Educator. The coauthor, Patrick Green, is an Educational Technology Coordinator, Site Director for the Global Online Academy at the Singapore American School and is nearing his twentieth year as an educational leader.
Classroom Management for the Digital Age is divided into 4 main parts: Classroom Procedures, Classroom Rules and Expectations, Teaching Tips and Strategies, and Partnering with Parents. The book uses the word device, and that refers to any electronic device from a Chromebook to an IPad. A big takeaway from this book was the section on charging the device, especially when the devices go home with the student. The responsibility for having the device charged is on the students and that expectation needs to be clear that coming without the device charged is showing that you are unprepared and there are consequences.
In the first part, Dowd and Green say that putting procedures into place decreases poor behavior and disruptions. in class. This is true because students are less likely to misbehave when expectations are thoroughly understood. Technology is often criticized for being a distraction, so the authors recommend a variety of great ideas to get attention off of a device. An example is to have the students remove their earbuds or headphones when the teacher requires their attention. Another procedure that takes time to perfect and needs to be consistently practiced is the procedure for turning in work digitally. Some time-saving methods recommended in this book are a digital drop box or student blog.
The second part of this book is Classroom Rules and Procedures. Dowd and Green recommend that having a schoolwide discipline plan such as a Digital Citizenship Agreement or Acceptable Use Policy is something that every school should have. This establishes school rules and expectations for technology. Classroom management means that there are clear rules, procedures, and expectations in place. Creating rules that are realistically enforceable and following through with consequences will help with difficult behaviors. As teachers contemplate expectation and procedures, it is important to keep in mind that the end goal is using technology efficiently for learning.
Dowd and Green go on to discuss Teaching Tips and Strategies in the third main part of the book. This section is full of really useful to the teacher that is already implementing technology in a 1:1 setting. The authors believe that one of the key strategies for improving classroom management is a flexible classroom arrangement. Many technology activities require collaboration and classrooms need to be more student-centered. One of the best ways to combat difficult behavior is by designing lessons that challenge students and allow them to be creative. Connecting lessons to student’s interests and giving them more choice on how the assignment can be completed is effective.
Establishing communication with parents, and involving them in what is going on in the classroom, helps create a partnership that centers around the goals for students. Some ways that the authors suggest to increase parent involvement are classroom websites, newsletters, social media pages, and open house nights where parents can come, learn and interact.
Classroom Management for the Digital Age is a user-friendly book that easy to read and apply to any classroom that utilizes electronic devices. The teacher tips on staying organized in technology lessons are things that many teachers would benefit from. An example of this is bookmarking frequently used web pages for convenience. There are many strategies to help motivate students to be responsible users of technology and productive 21st Century learners.
Classroom Management for the Digital Age is divided into 4 main parts: Classroom Procedures, Classroom Rules and Expectations, Teaching Tips and Strategies, and Partnering with Parents. The book uses the word device, and that refers to any electronic device from a Chromebook to an IPad. A big takeaway from this book was the section on charging the device, especially when the devices go home with the student. The responsibility for having the device charged is on the students and that expectation needs to be clear that coming without the device charged is showing that you are unprepared and there are consequences.
In the first part, Dowd and Green say that putting procedures into place decreases poor behavior and disruptions. in class. This is true because students are less likely to misbehave when expectations are thoroughly understood. Technology is often criticized for being a distraction, so the authors recommend a variety of great ideas to get attention off of a device. An example is to have the students remove their earbuds or headphones when the teacher requires their attention. Another procedure that takes time to perfect and needs to be consistently practiced is the procedure for turning in work digitally. Some time-saving methods recommended in this book are a digital drop box or student blog.
The second part of this book is Classroom Rules and Procedures. Dowd and Green recommend that having a schoolwide discipline plan such as a Digital Citizenship Agreement or Acceptable Use Policy is something that every school should have. This establishes school rules and expectations for technology. Classroom management means that there are clear rules, procedures, and expectations in place. Creating rules that are realistically enforceable and following through with consequences will help with difficult behaviors. As teachers contemplate expectation and procedures, it is important to keep in mind that the end goal is using technology efficiently for learning.
Dowd and Green go on to discuss Teaching Tips and Strategies in the third main part of the book. This section is full of really useful to the teacher that is already implementing technology in a 1:1 setting. The authors believe that one of the key strategies for improving classroom management is a flexible classroom arrangement. Many technology activities require collaboration and classrooms need to be more student-centered. One of the best ways to combat difficult behavior is by designing lessons that challenge students and allow them to be creative. Connecting lessons to student’s interests and giving them more choice on how the assignment can be completed is effective.
Establishing communication with parents, and involving them in what is going on in the classroom, helps create a partnership that centers around the goals for students. Some ways that the authors suggest to increase parent involvement are classroom websites, newsletters, social media pages, and open house nights where parents can come, learn and interact.
Classroom Management for the Digital Age is a user-friendly book that easy to read and apply to any classroom that utilizes electronic devices. The teacher tips on staying organized in technology lessons are things that many teachers would benefit from. An example of this is bookmarking frequently used web pages for convenience. There are many strategies to help motivate students to be responsible users of technology and productive 21st Century learners.
June 9, 2017
Overall, I thought the book was fairly simple, and a huge percentage of the advice is already at work in our schools. Still, some good points were raised. Issues I highlighted:
- consequences for digital misbehaviour
- avoiding techno panic
- activators to start each class
- student-built cumulative (digital) portfolios of work (probably on Slides)
- Ask 3 B4 Me
- thoughtful arrangement of classrooms for max. visibility
- helping students find workflow
- key student attitudes/skills in the digital age: critical/creative thinkers, problem-solvers, collaborators, communicators
- LOVE what they say to teachers on p.48 ("I'm just not a tech person") and p.69 (adopting a growth mindset instead of fixed mindset)
- techxperts in the classroom
- Analog or Digital Tool? (p.57) Consider 1 efficiency, 2 learning impact, 3 transferability
- consequences for digital misbehaviour
- avoiding techno panic
- activators to start each class
- student-built cumulative (digital) portfolios of work (probably on Slides)
- Ask 3 B4 Me
- thoughtful arrangement of classrooms for max. visibility
- helping students find workflow
- key student attitudes/skills in the digital age: critical/creative thinkers, problem-solvers, collaborators, communicators
- LOVE what they say to teachers on p.48 ("I'm just not a tech person") and p.69 (adopting a growth mindset instead of fixed mindset)
- techxperts in the classroom
- Analog or Digital Tool? (p.57) Consider 1 efficiency, 2 learning impact, 3 transferability
July 29, 2017
I selected this book for its title: I’m interested in classroom management strategies and have been working in a 1:1 environment for the past three years. What should I be thinking about with my students’ chromebooks, I wondered? Is there some way to avoid off-task behavior that I’m not aware of, because it’s hidden behind a computer screen?
Overall, the book dealt with classroom management in fairly traditional ways: how to arrange your desks, how to partner students, how to prepare your lessons. It also offered suggestions such as “Let Students Explore” and “Don’t be Boring.” (pgs 46-47) Hmmmm. Classroom Management in the Digital Age did not offer me anything particularly thought-provoking or new, which was a disappointment.
Overall, the book dealt with classroom management in fairly traditional ways: how to arrange your desks, how to partner students, how to prepare your lessons. It also offered suggestions such as “Let Students Explore” and “Don’t be Boring.” (pgs 46-47) Hmmmm. Classroom Management in the Digital Age did not offer me anything particularly thought-provoking or new, which was a disappointment.
November 20, 2019
A bit redundant for my line of work, seeing as I work all day long with students learning computer skills, therefore I've already processed through a lot of the struggles mention in this book and have arrived at similar conclusions, however that doesn't mean there weren't some useful tidbits here and there that I can't wait to implement in my technology class. For a classroom teacher who is struggling with getting a grasp on moving towards 1:1 learning, this is a great resource that is a quick read.
July 9, 2021
So, this was a book. I am not sure how many ideas I was expecting to get out of it, but there weren't that many. I was looking for information on how to keep students on topic and tools to help redirect if needed. Instead this seemed to have more advice that seemed to be it's the teacher's fault if the students are using the tech incorrectly, but don't help the students out so that they learn how to problem solve.
April 27, 2020
Fine, but not what I was expecting
I had hoped this book would talk about cell phones and other personal devices in the classroom, and what others have done about it. While I appreciate that this book had lots of good stuff on organizing technology, I was looking for a little more.
I had hoped this book would talk about cell phones and other personal devices in the classroom, and what others have done about it. While I appreciate that this book had lots of good stuff on organizing technology, I was looking for a little more.
May 8, 2017
This book is an EXCELLENT resource for any teacher who is about to enter a 1:1 or a BYOD environment, or who may be struggling in their digital classrooms. It's a super fast read with a lot of great tips. Great for a staff book study when preparing to go 1:1, too!
June 21, 2018
I will use this book, plus others and my own experiences to create a guide for the teachers I work with at my school and in my district.
There are so many layers to this book: routines, best practice, parent connection, etc. all mirroring the analog classroom.
There are so many layers to this book: routines, best practice, parent connection, etc. all mirroring the analog classroom.
August 19, 2020
It was alright
Ok read. Was hoping for more in depth tips. This just went thru basics of dealing with students and technology. Stuff you probably already know just by being a teacher.
Ok read. Was hoping for more in depth tips. This just went thru basics of dealing with students and technology. Stuff you probably already know just by being a teacher.
November 13, 2017
Short, good read for those teachers scared of 1:1 transition. Took me, a slow reader taking notes about 1 hour 45 minutes so super short read.
May 12, 2019
It's a great basic book. If you are a fan of rules and procedures in the Harry Wong world, you will like this book.
July 12, 2019
Good book for beginning teachers on classroom management
June 5, 2020
This is a super quick and easy read with lots practical suggestions.
June 27, 2020
Informative
Enjoyed reading the book and all the tips she gave. Must read for all those that are new to using technology a lot more in the classroom.
Enjoyed reading the book and all the tips she gave. Must read for all those that are new to using technology a lot more in the classroom.
December 13, 2018
I felt this book was more geared towards a teacher who has a firm grasp on general classroom management already, and is looking for some ideas for what to THINK about when implementing technology in the classroom. Not many practical take always, more general “consider this” broad strokes
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews