“Wait, how do I copy and paste again?”
“I didn’t mean to do that!”
“Can you show me how to…”
Sound familiar? I love using technology to enhance my students’ time in my classroom, but I hate all of the tech support I need to do that stops me from helping students with actual content! Students have more access to technology than ever before – but that doesn’t mean they always know how to use it in the most efficient way. With increasing numbers of school districts moving to a 1:1 technology model, efficient computer use has never been more important. As teachers in the 21st century, we have a million and one tasks on our plate already, but taking the time to teach your students how to use technology correctly will only help your class run more smoothly and for your students to be successful in your class and beyond!
Here are my tips for easily teaching and incorporating effective technology use in your classroom!
Make Time to Review the Basics
Every student that walks through the door has a different comfort or ability level with technology. Maybe they are a wiz with Snapchat or Instagram, but when it comes to completing their assignments, Google Docs or Slides aren’t their thing. I get it – there are so many tools and steps, it can get overwhelming fast! Students can also forget some of these previously learned skills due to the dreaded summer slide, since most students aren’t working on digital assignments over the summer!
At the start of the year, it’s helpful to take some time to get everyone on the same page. I’ve been doing this during the first week of school every year since Covid, and it has been so helpful, even now that we are back in person full time! I love to use this Google Slides Activity to give students step-by-step directions and practice with a variety of editing tools on Google Slides, like inserting text boxes, dragging and dropping shapes, and changing the color and size of shapes! A quick review is so helpful in reminding students of these tools and skills before they need to use them, kind of like when we review prerequisite skills before a math lesson!
Use Visuals
We use visuals to remind students of classroom expectations and procedures and anchor charts to remind students about learned concepts, so why not do the same with technology? I love decorating my classroom with this set of 30 posters of Google editing tools and keyboard shortcuts that my students can use on their Chromebooks! We reference them all the time, and it’s drastically reduced the number of times my students ask me how to copy and paste! I’ve even picked up a few new tips and tricks from having them in my classroom!
Reinforce with Practice
Now that your students have the skills, they need to actually use them in order to become true tech masters! Assigning online or digital activities have a lot of benefits, including allowing students to practice their technology skills in a meaningful way. Digital assignments also help cut down on paper waste and can be easier to use and maintain for teachers and students alike! I love using digital task cards through Google Slides, pixel art activities using Google Sheets, and digital escape rooms using Google Forms and Slides! However, I’ve found that only using online resources can also have some downsides, so I recommend using online activities to supplement print work, but not to completely replace it. Students (and teachers) need variety in order to maintain attention and become well-rounded with all kinds of resources and tasks.
How do you teach your students about using technology? Let me know in the comments!
