Just another technology

"Low-tech Texting..." by Jon Mott (licensed CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

The introduction of new technologies into the classroom always presents new challenges in behaviour management, but maybe the adjustment is not as big as it first seems.

Technology may continuously change, but student behaviour remains constant. Therefore, use the skill you have developed over the years to address the behaviour not the technology. This frame of mind enables you to approach ICT use in your classroom with your normal classroom management techniques.

Draw Parallels

The way I apply this methodology is is to draw parallels between the ICT behaviour and the non-ICT behaviour. Since I was far from a model student, I may have the advantage of personal familiarity with the non-ICT behaviours, but I'm sure that you will recognise them from your time in front of the class. Below are some examples.

• Texting - Passing notes
• Online chatting - Passing notes
• Playing computer games - Playing tic-tac-toe or dots-and-dashes
• Watching YouTube - Staring out the window
• Surfing the web - Reading a book
• Cyber-bullying - Bullying

Once, the parallel has been draw between the behaviours, then it's a short step to applying your classroom management techniques.