An issue that has reared it's nasty little head since we piloted the laptop initiative in the fall of 2006 is the the classroom management issues laptops present. While I have been somewhat casual in dismissing these issues; to the classroom teachers they are real. My philosophy to teachers is "treat it like you would any other tool in your classroom".
However, often it is difficult for me to make suggestions on classroom management to our staff. Well, that's not exactly true, generally I am full of advice (some good and some not so good). Probably heavy on the latter. So, it is probably no surprise that I often get the impression that teachers roll their eyes the minute I leave the room and question what planet I fell from. So, when I came across Vicki Davis' post for starting the school year I couldn't resist. Although, she does not address specifically a 1:1 laptop environment her "Pace, Flow, and Plan" would help to prevent or resolve most issues that we have struggled with in the past.
Starting the School Year off Right: Part 1 -- Set the Pace
Starting the School Year off Right: Part 2 -- Establish the Flow
Starting the School Year off Right: Part 3 -- Create the Plan
"Just because you got the monkey off your back does not mean the circus has left town." George Carlin
