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8 Strategies to Manage the
21st Century Classroom Email

By Nicole Mace, MEd • August 7, 2018

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We’ve all seen the black and white images of the one-room
schoolhouse. Students sit in perfect rows that face a teacher who’s
writing on a chalkboard. Up until the last decade, our classrooms
haven’t drastically di ered from those 100-year-old images. We are
so fortunate to be living and teaching in a time of rapid educational
change. Instead of personal student chalkboards, a number of
students now have access to electronic tablets. Many teachers can
now use Smartboards instead of dry-erase boards. The limits of the
central textbook have transcended the limitless information
gathered online.

Although these changes are exciting, using technology in the

classroom can seem overwhelming when you have multiple
objectives to achieve each day and 30 – 35 students to engage
simultaneously. So how do we manage the advancing 21st-century
classroom environment? Here are eight real-world strategies to slay
the daunting, technology classroom dragon.

1. Start with your classroom set up

Just as any well-managed classroom, set up is essential. First,
configure the desks in such a way that you can see all or most
screens. For example, student desks can face the outer walls of the
classroom in a circular fashion. Or, if rows or pairs work best for your
class, consider setting up your desk at the back of the classroom.
You’ll be able to view all screens and students without being front
and center.
Establish, display, teach and repeat your classroom rules and
procedures when using devices. Students should be clear on their
expected behavior and how to handle arising technology use issues.
To help create this structure, number each device. Students will have
a sense of ownership, and the numbering assists with technology
support communications.

Lastly, have a system for student logins. Any teacher with computer
use experience knows the student login headache. Help students
become more independent by creating login cards. Each
personalized login card should include the device login, then a
couple of the main websites or apps used. Be sure to keep a master
list of logins. For the most part, logging in should be the
responsibility of the student — though that does depend on age and
whether or not your students have any special needs.

2. Make digital citizenship a priority

Now that you have the devices in the hands of each of your students,
they’re ready to engage in this type of learning. This is your chance
to teach one of the most essential skills needed in a 21st-century
classroom: responsible use of technology, also known as digital
citizenship. Students can’t automatically navigate the internet
safely, communicate e ectively and respectfully, and handle other
digital dilemmas. These are all skills that have to be taught.

No matter what grade you are teaching, take the opportunity to

guide students so they become responsible digital citizens. While
this can be a daunting task, there’s a vast depository of lessons,
materials, and entire free curriculums online. One of my favorite
resources when teaching digital citizenship is Common Sense
Education, which provides curriculum for each grade level and
includes teacher tutorials, materials, and truly engaging lessons for
every classroom.

3. Teach mini-lessons before using

devices
The number one mistake I’ve seen in classrooms using devices is the
order of process. Imagine a student-filled room start to vibrate with
excitement as the teacher rolls the C.O.W. (computers on wheels)
into the classroom. The teacher hands out the numbered devices to
his students and their fingers punch in their personal logins the
moment they get their hands on them. Relieved that all the devices
are in functioning condition, the teacher begins his directions for
today’s lesson and the goal in using the devices. What is wrong with
this picture? What percentage of students do you think are actually
listening to the directions or the lesson’s concepts?

Teaching mini-lessons prior to student access is the key. Students

won’t be distracted and are likely to fully participate because they
know that paying attention and demonstrating their understanding
of rules, procedures, and tasks means they will get the privilege of
using devices. Mini-lessons also give you time to make sure students
fully understand your expectations and the assignment involving
technology. Even if the lesson is inquiry-based, students should still
know what is expected of them before logging in.
4. Use the power of choice
Traditionally, the teacher is the center of instruction. In a 21st
century classroom, instructional technology provides the
opportunity for each student to make choices over their own
learning. Making a choice provides student ownership over what is
learned. In each of the three categories of instructional technology
activities (practice, creativity, and discovery), there are
opportunities for students to make choices.

Applications that allow students to practice and advance their skills,

such as Khan Academy, usually allow them to choose what to work
on or which game to play when practicing. A creativity assignment is
full of choices for students to show their ability to apply the concept,
to evaluate their own work, and take full ownership of the finished
product. A discovery assignment allows for students to use their
natural curiosity as a navigation tool.

When designing a lesson involving instructional technology,

remember to include the chance for your students to make a choice
that appeals to them. To learn more about the importance of
providing choice, check out the research done by Universal Design
for Learning.

5. Remember that sharing is caring

Allow time for students to share something they have created or
discovered. Knowing they will have this opportunity encourages
focus. In addition to focus, other students will be inspired by their
peers and find value in their own work. Sharing doesn’t have to be
done at the end of a project.

As you are circulating around the room, catch a student who’s doing
something well and point out that student to the rest of the class.
O en times students who don’t excel in traditional class settings
don’t have a chance for a lot of praise. Technology changes that
environment, providing opportunities for all students to shine,
including English learners, introverts, and those who may lack
proficiency in certain subjects.

6. Conduct teacher check-ins

One of my favorite strategies for managing a complex classroom is
conducting ongoing teacher check-ins. Instructional technologies
give our students the chance to have a more individualized learning
experience: working at their own pace, using tools that work with
their learning styles, and learning about topics that interest them.

Although this can create an optimal learning environment, how can

a single teacher manage each student’s learning? Build in time for
teacher check-ins to confer with each student once a week. Or,
conduct these check-ins using an online poll such as Google Forms.
Your online survey can include guiding questions related to
challenges and achievements. Feedback is quick and you can use it
to create a plan to support and intervene as needed.

7. Build in breaks from devices

Technology can be motivating for students in and of itself. Still, like
adults, students’ focus can wander when working online. To have
students re-engage with the task at hand, give them a couple
minutes o their devices and have them turn to engage with a
classmate face-to-face. If possible, have students sit away from their
devices or use management so ware such as Veyon to view and lock
their devices for three to five minutes.

8. So ware tools are your friend

About five years ago, when the one-to-one (one device for each
student) initiative started to take o , educational technology took a
huge turn from teacher-centered tools to student-centered tools.
Many students are now in the driver’s seat learning on their own,
thanks to these educational technology tools. Di erent types of
so ware were developed to assist in managing this new landscape.
Classroom management so ware tools have been created to assist
with behavioral management such as Class Dojo and Class Cra .
Open-source learning management systems such as Canvas,
Moodle, and Schoology have been designed to assist with course
design, assignment submissions, file organization, and digital grade
books.

More recently, so ware tools have been developed to be the “all-

seeing eye” on students’ devices in use. Device management
so ware such as GoGuardian allows teachers to view, take control,
and freeze student devices from one single teacher control panel.

Our classrooms are finally starting to evolve with the surrounding

world and, by implementing these eight strategies, you’ll create an
innovative and successful learning environment for your technology-
hungry students. If you’re interested in taking your “EdTech” skills to
the next level, check out our MEd in Educational Technology
Leadership for a comprehensive program that will help you lead the
way as a 21st-century teacher.

Nicole Mace earned a MEd in Educational Technology from Lesley

University and a professional graduate certification in instructional
design from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. She’s spent nearly a
decade in education, teaching multiple grade levels in the U.S. and
South Korea and working as a lead instructional designer at the
college level. Currently, Nicole serves as an adjunct online instructor
and a freelance instructional designer. Her website o ers key
resources for instructors looking to crack the code on quality online
instruction.

You may also like to read

21st-Century Alternatives to the Classroom

Blackboard

What's in the Well-Equipped 21st Century Classroom?

Classroom Management Strategies: How to Keep Your

Classroom in Line
 Middle School Classroom Management Strategies

Classroom Management Strategies for High School

Teachers

Strategies to Improve Classroom Behavior and

Academic Outcomes

Tags: Educational Technology, Educational Technology Leadership

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