iManage the Classroom

5 Management Strategies from the Trenches for Teachers to Utilize in the One-to-One Classroom


It’s often said that when all students in your classroom have iPads (or other tablets) that “it changes everything”.  This is certainly true for learning, but often overlooked is classroom management.  With multiple companies selling products and software to schools the single best management tool is, and always has been - the teacher.  Here you will find teacher tested management strategies in the evolving world of one-to-one instruction.


1.  Expectations have to be clear.

The best run 21st century classrooms are always the ones where teacher and students are completely on the same page regarding rules and expectations.  Good teaching is good teaching, and collaboratively setting class rules/expectations and posting them for all to see apply to “one-to-one classrooms” just as they do in traditional classrooms.  Good teachers clearly state expectations and stick to them.  Consider posting them on your class website or social media feeds as well.

2.  Students switching from work to games during your lesson.

All educators know that today’s digital natives can quickly move from a game on their iPad to an appropriate learning activity when they see a teacher coming.  The students are often too fast to catch, even for the best of us who pride ourselves on moving around the room throughout the lesson.  To solve this, get in the habit of asking your students to clear/close their running apps at the beginning of class.  They can do this by double clicking the home button or four-finger swiping up.  Then they should hold down an open app until the minus sign comes up.  By closing all running apps they not only will save battery life but also give you the ability to do spot checks of what they have been using during your leson.  If the students know you can quickly find out what apps they have been using they will be far less likely to sway from your lesson plan.

3.  Losing my signal to the LCD projector.

We know the iPad was not created with the teacher and certainly not with the LCD projector in mind.  It’s wifi’s promiscuity, hiccups with mirroring, and inability to secure cables into it’s connection slot makes projecting often a nightmare.  Many of us have lost great teachable moments due to our screens suddenly going blank and our kids attention lost as we attempt to reconnect.  Get in the habit of “freezing” your projector.  Most remotes have a button allowing you to freeze whatever is on your screen while you do different things behind the scenes.  When you are not moving from screen to screen simply freeze it and you will never get that black screen again.  You have a much better chance of maintaining student engagement while trying to reconnect if you have something on the screen.  This is also a great way to take your attendance while your anticipatory set is up on your smartboard.

4.  Collaboration and when students should work together.

One of these device’s strongest attributes are their natural tendency toward collaboration - they were designed for this.  We must be crystal clear about our collaborative expectations for each assignment we give.  Digital natives are wired collaboratively and now have devices that encourage this.  They can share and work together across the classroom and across the globe without anyone knowing.  We must specifically tell them when it is and when it is not appropriate to work with others … a good rule of thumb is that if we don't tell them they can’t - then it is appropriate.  

5.  Digital Literacy and Turning In

It is now common place to ask students to submit their writing digitally. They can draft in Google Docs, share their drafts with peers/families and teacher for in-process feedback. Teachers then bulk download work as pdfs, save them on Google or in DropBox, and open on iPad with a digital copy of the rubric where they respond using a note-writing app where they write on them with a stylus.  Getting in this habit is not only strong process but it creates a digital log for the student, family, and teacher.

iTeam in Action

Birth of the iTeam

The need for a student led technology club came simultaneously with our one-to-one iPad deployment this August at Croswell-Lexington High School.  Our school culture supports clubs of all kinds and the “iTeam” was a natural fit when the entire student body was issued  iPads this year.  The club’s present goals are to help fellow students and teachers who need tech support and to assist in guiding our school policy as it evolves with the addition of 800 iPads.

I knew the group was going to be popular, but was surprised by the immediate pride our members took in the iTeam.  They designed a logo and ordered t-shirts.  When a student asks a teacher for help with their iPad, team members jump at the chance to interject.  They solve problems quickly.  They have created a google doc of common problems and how to fix them and even taken broken iPads - opened them up and repaired them.

Our next step is to work directly with Apple and broaden our goals. Team members are interested in:
- getting sponsorship to support new objectives
- schedule office hours where students can get help with technology from our members
- create a course so team members can receive high school credit for their service
- obtain Apple certification

Armed and iDangerous

The Pioneers are now armed with the power of iPads.  Who would have believed that an economically challenged rural district like ours could have found a way to tip the scales and provide each middle and high school student - 1600 in all - with an iPad to take home and computer/iPad access for all 700 students K-4 students all day. We found a way …

The real excitement began five months ago when we deployed about 100 of the devices to our teachers and began to systematically offer progressive professional development we termed iPD.  Most teachers begin running on reserve fuel as the end of the school year approaches … our teachers started running on adrenaline.  

Their excitement and fear was demonstrated in many ways, but none so apparent than their willingness to attend iPD sessions.  Change is tough.  We offered purely volunteer training sessions once a week - all summer long - and were amazed by the attendance.  We deliberately set them early, so our teachers could work for a few hours and still enjoy the summer weather.  iPD became contagious and our numbers continued to grow throughout the summer months.

If we thought the the teachers were excited, nothing could have prepared us for the students.  Our August was packed with 14 different iPad deployment sessions.  Every student was required to attend a session with a parent/guardian.  They began listening to our dynamic superintendent - Dr. Kevin Miller - describe the vision behind the one-to-one initiative. Principals then discussed expectations and students were divided into small groups for a 30 minute set up and basic tutorial.  They left excited about school and proud to be a student at Croswell-Lexington.  

We watched as students began to post on facebook things like “I lost my girlfriend to an iPad” and “Ok i said these iPads were a dumb idea before i actually got to learn with them. A year of intro to chem and a year of chem i didn’t understand anything. A night with one of the chem apps and i understand it. Best Idea Ever!”  It was by design that we deployed the devices early.  We wanted our teachers to have them ASAP to plan with them and we wanted the students to have a few weeks before school started to get their “sillies out”.

Now, a week into school and we have had the expected bumpy start.  As the Principal, I have never been prouder of my students and teachers.  When the digital textbooks were delayed … they shook it off and kept going.  When the internet service provider went down day one … they shook it off and kept going.  When our system hiccupped day two … they shook it off and kept going.  When Self Service determined it couldn’t handle all our kids at once … they shook it off and kept going.  It certainly wasn’t a smooth beginning, but we all knew patience was going to be the key.

Now in the midst of resetting google accounts and trying to get the reflection software to work consistently, if you look closely you will see some incredible things going on at Croswell-Lexington Schools. You will see flipped science classrooms where students are watching lectures at home and working under direction of the teacher the next day.  You will see digital textbooks having replaced all of their old and heavy predecessors.  You will see “edmodo” conversations where normally shy quiet students are able to have an equal voice.  You will see an exponential rise in formative assessment and this is driving instruction.  You will see PDF notes being sent seamlessly back and forth between teacher and student. You will see all students having continuous access to their google apps and the world wide web.   You will see 2300 students armed with iPads and excited about learning.

Pioneers, Come Get Your iPads

We are very excited about our One-to-One Technology Initiative for all students in grades 5-12! Our teachers have been preparing diligently for a major shift in how we teach and how our students will learn … with iPads.  

We feel it important to answer any questions you have and to do some parent/student training prior to handing the devices to our students. The most commonly asked question so far has been about insurance.  

• The district has a 3-year lease on the iPads and will offer a 3-year insurance policy to parents for just $20.  
• That $20 covers the entire 3-year period and has a $50 deductible.  
• With the insurance, if the iPad is damaged or lost, the student/parent will be responsible for the deductible and a replacement iPad will be provided.
• If you choose not to purchase the insurance, replacement of a damaged or lost iPad will cost $400.  
• Please bring a check or cash to orientation to pay for insurance - credit cards will not be accepted.
• We request that you set up an iTunes account prior to the orientation meeting.  Please bring your iTunes account password and your pioneers.us school email password.

Our goal is to get the iPads in the students’ hands about three weeks before the school year begins so they can “hit the ground running” on the first day of school.  We have set up the following dates and times for a parent/student orientation and training session.  Our superintendent, Dr. Miller, will begin the session by laying out the vision behind this initiative and answering questions you might have.  You and your student will then sign the technology acceptable use agreement and will receive the iPad.  A copy of the acceptable use policy is included in this packet for you to review.

CL5 Students only Monday Aug 13 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Seniors only Tuesday Aug 14 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Juniors only Tuesday Aug 14 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.

Sophomores only Tuesday Aug 14 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Freshmen only Tuesday Aug 14 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

If you are unable to make your designated daytime training, evening orientation/training sessions will be held at the following dates/times:

Make-up session Tuesday Aug 21 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.

Make-up session Tuesday Aug 28 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.           

BOTH the student and parent must be present at the orientation/training.  Fall sports practices will be held at times that do not conflict with these times.  Families with more than one child can call ahead and reserve the time that they will attend together.  For those families, we will have all iPads ready for them if an RSVP is made.  Please RSVP to 679-1000.  A tentative agenda for the orientation/training will include:

• meet in high school cafetorium for an introduction by Dr. Miller
• sign district technology agreement and purchase insurance
• receive your district issued iPad
• participate in a small group training sessions on how to use your iPad
• check out district approved covers
• set up iTunes account if you don't come with one already

As you can see from the agenda, this orientation and training has been designed to help both you and your student feel more comfortable with our one-to-one technology initiative and be ready for day one of school.  On the left side of district website at www.croslex.org under “District Documents” there is a document called “iPad Q&A for Parents and Students”.  It has been updated with the latest information and will answer many questions you have.  In their advertisement about the iPad, Apple says “This Changes Everything!”  As “Pioneers” we have looked at recent data from schools using iPads who have seen dramatic increases in learning.  We believe the iPad is truly “Pioneering” in education.