1. Establish an electronics policy
If you are a teacher who plans to use technology in the classroom, you should clearly explain what your rules are for acceptable use. If you do not have a policy in place, technology standards can seem arbitrary to students, which can lead to problems as the school year progresses. These policies do not have to take the fun out of the experience, but teachers need to explain the reasoning behind such policies and discuss them openly create a reasonable expectation for student behavior.
2. Create consequences that do not disrupt classwork
Rules only hold up if the teacher enforces them. Keeping students on task in spite of all of the distractions that technology creates requires both active monitoring by the teacher and consequences for misuse by students. If a student is using applications or browsing the internet in ways that are unrelated to schoolwork – especially after a warning – the simplest response is to take the student’s device away for the duration of the class. For chronically distracted students, consider giving them extra work within the assignment that forces them to stay on task.
3. Make your own key words or phrases to restore the students attention
It is a task to reclaim the attention of a classroom full of students who are engaged in a project. It is especially difficult when those students are focused on the screens of their computers or tablets. Using repeatable phrases like “eyes up front” or “close your devices” will train students to react quickly. It will also help if you clarify the consequences if they don’t respond. Also, giving students a “two-minute warning” to wrap up what they are working on can help prevent rushing to complete work before moving on to the next activity.
4. Always monitor proactively
Teachers must always be walking around the classroom looking over their students shoulders. Students are far less likely to play games or get on social media if they know that at any moment their teacher will appear behind them. The layout of the classroom can make this easier, desks should be organized in such a way that teachers can move around easily. Without some sort of accountability, some students will almost certainly take advantage of “device time” and lose focus on the task at hand, which will distract them and other students.
Annie Casey's Blog 