Don’t forget about reinforcing digital citizenship when
demonstrating the device. You can ask students what they
should do if someone writes something that is not very
kind. Students might respond that they should remind
their classmate not to use technology to be unkind. Students might also answer that they should stop working
with that student and tell the teacher. This meets the
ISTE Standards on digital citizenship: advocate and
practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information
and technology.
When you have finished reviewing this information,
ask a student to demonstrate what you have just done.
Now the class can make rules—no more than five—for
using the device. These will be different from the rules for
handling the device. Make sure the students feel as though
it is a collaborative effort.
Below are some examples of rules:
• Open only the apps or websites that the teacher asks
you to access.
• Do not let friends do the work for you.
• Friends can help you find, locate, or get to the activity
if you are struggling.
• When you are done with the activity, click the home
button (on an iPad).
• Gently turn the device over when not being used.
Ask students to come up with a consequence for not
using the devices properly.
Practice using the device. Hand each student a device
and ask them to keep the iPads turned over until you say
they can use them. You might also tell students that when
they hear “turn over,” they need to stop their activity and
turn their iPad screenside down (or in the case of
a computer, they may need to turn them around or turn
over the keyboard).
Of course, no amount of preparation will prevent
all devices from being mishandled, damaged, or used
inappropriately, but by introducing devices, expectations,
and consequences before handing the tools to students,
you will increase the chances of a smooth learning
experience.
—Liz Kolb is an adjunct assistant professor at Madonna University in
Michigan and a doctoral student in learning technologies at University of
Michigan. She previously taught high school and middle school social studies and worked as a technology coordinator/integration specialist in Ohio.
your students should offer an emphatic
“No!” and be able to explain that it could
lead to a place where they could get lost or
misuse the device.
You can also quiz them about how they should respond if they were using Doodle Buddy, for example,
and could not figure out what to do. They should already
know that they can ask a friend for help, ask their teacher,
or watch a tutorial if one is available.
