Best Practices

When you decide to incorporate technology in your lessons there are a few things to keep in mind.

1. What is the overall goal for your lesson?
2. How can the tech help you achieve that goal?
3. How does the tech improve upon other methods of instruction?

You could also look at it like this:

1. What do I want to teach?
2. What tools will help me do this most effectively?

Tips for Managing Digital Distraction in Your Classroom

• Give kids meaningful things to do on their devices.
• Capitalize on tools that promote higher-order thinking and learning.
• Look for platforms that encourage digital creation, online collaboration, communication beyond the classroom, and new perspectives for critical thinking.

Set appropriate boundaries for in-class device use.

• Find the right middle ground for you and your students, and make these boundaries clear.
• Consider the needs of your classroom as a whole, and differentiate boundaries for students with specific learning differences.

Build lessons that have a predictable flow of tech and nontech activities.

• Incorporate both screen-based and traditional activities in your daily lessons.
• Consider taking “tech breaks” — a time when students can check their devices.
• Or if you’re using tech a lot, make sure to build in device-free activities.