Tech Trouble: Tips and Tricks for When the Tech Lets You Down

Recently, I asked some teachers in my schools and online, what causes some of their biggest tech headaches in the classroom.  I found that many of the answers were similar no matter what grade level they taught.  While the optimal scenario would be for everything to work out perfectly every time, the chances of that happening are slim.  However, in order to save our teacher sanity, I do think it is important to stay solutions-focused and at least share with you some strategies, fix-its, and workarounds that have worked for myself and my teachers.

According to my data, the biggest frustrations stem from:

• Planning a great lesson that integrates technology and the tech not working at the exact moment you need it.
• Keeping kids focused and not straying to other websites/apps.
• Too many usernames and passwords for different sites (remembering them all)
• Devices being taken for testing dates
• Filters being different for the teachers and the students

Tech not working?

This is the number one complaint across the board.  Unfortunately there is no easy fix.  Did you have everyone restart their devices? When in doubt, turn them off and back on again.  However, if it isn't just a hiccup and the whole building is down, you'll need a back-up plan.  Don't create a second lesson plan.  It isn't practical and you have quite enough planning to do already.  Instead, think of a way you could adjust it so students still receive the same benefit from the lesson.  If your schedule allows it, be flexible. Can you flip today's lesson with tomorrow's lesson or save this lesson for the afternoon instead of the morning?  If you work with high schoolers, have them get out a few phones and work in groups.  The phone can be a functional tool in the classroom when used appropriately.  Above all, don't sweat it.  Focus on what you can control.  Your awesome lesson will still happen, just not at that moment.

Kids easily distracted?

If your district doesn't subscribe to a service such as Hapara or GoGuardian where you can see student screens on your teacher computer, you have to be creative with your device management.  I suggest setting up guidelines from the start, giving the students ownership of their behavior.  Begin with mutual trust and give them a chance to show you that they can be responsible while also letting them know your expectations.  Using iPads?  Guided access will be your best friend.  Set a password and kids can only use the app chosen.  Chromebooks?  Do random history checks.  Have them sign a contract at the start of the year, discuss with parents how they can support you and their children.  If you do have a problem, have a plan for how you will deal with it.  

Too many usernames and passwords?

So many different websites have sign in credentials.  If you are a Google Suite user, this isn't so bad but if you aren't and you have multiple e-mails or passwords, this can be a nightmare.  My suggestion is to use an app on your phone such as Keeper or, if you prefer paper and pencil, a little password book.  You can get one on Amazon for under $10.  For younger students, print out their logins and use clear packing tape to put them inside the front or back cover of a notebook or homework book. Don't forget to make sure the websites you are using are ok for the under 13 crowd.

Devices collected for testing?

Unfortunately, aside from chatting with your admin about how this can be remedied, there isn't really an instant fix.  Our admin bought four Chromebooks for each classroom in addition to the carts so that stations could still be run throughout testing.  Our older students are all 1:1 so it is no longer an issue.  I do think it is worth the conversation with your admin however, to brainstorm possible solutions to this problem.

Teacher filters are different than student filters?

We have this issue as well.  My advice to my teachers is to use a Chromebook, iPad or even with your phone connected to the student wifi to test the sites a day or two before they are to be used.  This does take a bit of time but it prevents the frustration on the day of the lesson when students can't get onto the site.  Another option is to create a student tech team in your classroom and make this one of their jobs on Friday afternoon or Monday morning.  They can report back to you and you can adjust as needed.

Obviously, there are no quick fixes.  The best remedy is a mindset that allows you to stay calm and not let frustration take over.  Model for the students how you are solving these challenges with creativity and finesse.  A strategy they can use outside of the classroom as well.