Managing students in 1:1 environment

                                                 

I delivered a presentation in the third annual GESS conference which held in Dubai 3-5 May 2011. Below is the abstract and the link to the conference.

http://www.gesseducation.com/gef/sessions/managing-students

Classroom management is indispensable if you want the students to learn. One of the most respected, effective and reputable teachers’ fundamental skills is efficient classroom management. The sheer volume of literature on this topic reveals that classroom management must be built from the ground up so that teachers shun the problems from occurring and be able to simply relax and teach.

However, the introduction of network computers and the one to one (1:1) learning environment (1:1 refers to having one PC or laptop for every student) in the school have presented immense potentials to engage the minds of learners. But it also presents temptations and distractions unknown to the history of formal education; the potential for computers to subvert teachers’ goals is undeniable and needs to be addressed.   In this presentation, the presenter will reflect on his experience as a Master Trainer and a Head Teacher at the Institute of Applied Technology that is one of the first institutes to adopt the 1:1 learning environment in the UAE. Since one to one computing is relatively new but is rapidly growing, many teachers would ordinarily feel very much challenged by the demands of managing classrooms and that finding classroom management resource for this environment is difficult.  So a good number of educators view introducing the computing environment as a complicated matter and would lead to wobbly classroom management. But in reality, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

The presenter would also review the challenges that teachers face in managing students with laptops and keeping them on task.   Fortunately, managing students with laptops is mostly about managing the students.  This means that the same tools for basic classroom management can be used in managing ”laptop” classrooms.  The presenter will look at the most successful management strategies in managing students with laptops, in particular the ones that have been implemented in the IAT.