Physical Space

When setting up your classroom, think about having a flexible, digital-friendly environment.

• Where will you have whole group learning take place? Will students be able to see a screen when needed to view examples or digital media? Will you be able to easily access a device connected to the projector?

• Does your classroom furniture allow for flexibility? Can student transition quickly to work independently, with peers or with small groups? If students are working independently, consider having their backs face you so their screens are visible to you. Consider having pairs work on the perimeter of the classroom to reduce disruption. Small groups or teacher led groups might meet towards the center of the room.

How will you organize, distribute and secure devices and peripherals?

• Will devices be stored in the cart by the end of the day, each day? Or will you have a place for devices to live out in the classroom or at student work spaces?

Where is the best space to place your cart?

• Is it located near an outlet to charge devices?

• Is it in a safe and secure location (away from windows, sinks, etc...)?

• Where can you store and lock student badges if in a PK-3 classroom (closet, drawer, file cabinet, inside the cart)?

• Where will headphones and badges be stored in relation to the cart or device storage?

Need some ideas to get started?

Building Routines

What will your procedure be for assigning devices in a 2:1 or 1:1 environment?

• Will you number or color code your cart and devices? Will a device be assigned to a student or multiple students to create accountability? Will you print and display a device assignment list near the cart so you and students can easily track which device is used by who?

• What should a student do to report any damage to a device? What happens if they break their headphones? Family notification

How will students retrieve devices (access on own vs. distributed by adult) and other materials, like headphones and log in badges?

• Will you have a classroom job? Will students need a visual cue near the cart to provide orderly retrieval of devices?

  • Will table captains retrieve and distribute devices?

  • Troubleshooting techies or geniuses?

  • Cart manager- plugs in devices to charge at end of day, accounts for all devices, reports any damage.

• Will Quickcards (QR code) log in supports be used in your K-3 classroom? How will you store them? On lanyards in the cart? On headphone bags? Please remember QR codes for accessing students accounts are considered student data. They should be locked up when not in use to prevent unauthorized use and access. Lost Quickcards should be voided and regenerated. Old Quickcards should be placed in the office shredding bin.

Technology Rules & Expectations

What are the expectations for using a device? How will those routines & procedures be explicitly taught, modeled and established?

• We recommend establishing these as a class. Begin with a whole class discussion about how fortunate we are to have technology in our classrooms and it is up to us to care for it s we may use it throughout the year. We can prevent accidents by following some rules while handling devices. Combine student ideas with your non-negotiable expectations. Create a written anchor chart; keep it simple and visible. Go into detail in the discussion, have students model and practice, just like any other classroom routine.

• Discussion ideas:

  • How to transition between seat and device storage/cart

  • How to carefully put device away and how to put materials away (headphones/badge)

  • How to gently plug in charger, headphones and other external periphreals.

  • How to wrap and store headphones or badge (avoid tangles).

  • Staying on task when on a device and using assigned apps or websites

  • Dangers of having food, water, and other materials near a device

  • How common damages occur (carrying other things along with the device, closing a writing tool in the device, distractions)

  • How to troubleshoot when your device is not working

    • restart device

    • clear cache/browser

    • adjust device and/or headphone volumes

    • log out of apps

    • checking for wifi connections

When will devices be charged? How will devices be stored when they are out of the cart and not being charged?

Teaching digital civics helps to create habits that have a lifelong impact on students.

Here are some key concepts to cover at a minimum:

• How to stay safe

  • Tell an adult when something does not look or feel right

  • Do not share personal information or account information online

  • Keep your password private between you, your teacher and an adult family member

  • Know how to spot cyber-bullying and how to report it

  • How to access valid and reliable online information

• How to take responsibility

  • How to protect your digital footprint

  • How to balance online and offline activities

  • How to report a damaged device

• How to share technology (practice, practice, practice)

  • How to co-use a device with a partner

    • strategies to share: A/B partners, recorder, timed use, how to settle disagreements, how to sit together to share a device

• Resources

  • PPS Digital Literacy & Civics

  • Common Sense Media

  • BrainPop Jr.

  • NetSmartzKids

  • Be Internet Awesome

  • Check with your building's media specialist/teacher librarian!