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 faces
  
• Establishing procedures for daily class routines that harness the power of technology tools
  
• Cultivating a culture of student ownership and responsibility
  
• Developing routines that increase on-task behavior and lessen teacher anxiety
  
• Communicating with parents on best practices and consistent school to home behaviors
  
• Decreasing distraction with simple, helpful tips
  
• Letting go of being the expert and taking charge by partnering in learning

Classroom 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.

“I have had the pleasure of collaborating and leading with Patrick and Heather on several growth and change initiatives associated with teaching in a digital age; this book represents the thoughtful and practical ideas they use to support professional development of teachers and student learning. In an environment where electronic tools offer incredible opportunity and potential distraction this will prove to be a go-to resource for new and experienced teachers as they seek to harness the power of a digital-rich classroom.” —Devin Pratt, Assistant Head of School at Frankfurt International School

“Heather Dowd and Patrick Green’s Classroom Management in the Digital Age will make a significant contribution to the teaching and learning strategies employed by teachers in schools. The authors bring their extensive knowledge and experience as educators to the added layer of tech implementation and device usage. Not surprisingly the advice and strategies they provide are based on sound educational principles and common sense. “What sets this book apart is that they acknowledge the importance of partnering with parents so that there is a consistency in terms of expectations of behaviour and usage and the reinforcement of them in the home. The also authors outline the benefits and methodologies for collaboration, sharing devices and extension opportunities as well as what may be considered basic but in reality are significant skills and knowledge. They address the importance of developing students who engage with technology in safe, smart, respectful and responsible ways and the most appropriate resource for explicitly addressing the key concepts of digital citizenship. Educators are always on the lookout for ‘gems’ to enhance their teaching; this one is gold!” —Robyn Treyvaud, Founder Cyber Safe Kids

“From two leading practitioners with first hand experience, Heather Dowd and Patrick Green's book is a rich resource and reference point for educators engaging with mobile technology in a 1:1 environment. Classroom Management in the Digital Age is full of concrete, actionable strategies ensuring student-centered collaborative learning is at the center of the mobile device experience.” —John Mikton, Director of E-Learning at Inter-Community School Zurich

“Classroom Management in the Digital Age is a perfect addition to any 1:1 implementation plan. It is something I would definitely include in my IT/EdTech Roadmap process and hand out to teachers before adding more devices to their classroom. Heather and Patrick have written an easy to follow step-by-step guide for today’s teachers and schools acknowledging the concept of ‘New Approaches for New Tools.’ Well done!” —Mike Pelletier, VP, Technology, Nobel Education Network

“Balance is essential. Taking us through the reasons behind our choices to use or set technology aside, Heather and Patrick show both veteran and new teachers a toolkit of tips and tricks that are very easy to add to your routines. My mentor once advised that the best indicator of a successful teaching day is leaving the building with the kids more worn out than you are. If trying to figure out how to manage the devices in your room leaves you frustrated—or if you just need a few new resources to up your game—read this book.” —Rebecca R. Clark, Middle School Teacher and Google Certified Innovator