Using devices, no matter how many you have!
If you're just starting to dip your toes into the world of technology, chances are you don't have a ratio of 1 device to 1 student. That's okay! It can be daunting trying to figure out how to set up rotations to ensure each student has equitable access to this wonderful technology. I've got you covered. Click on the links below that most closely match your current classroom setup to get an idea of which apps and websites are most suitable for your unique situation.
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1:2 RatioLucky you! You've got one device per two students in your classroom. That's a lot of opportunity for tech, and here are some ideas.
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1:5 RatioWow! You have one device for each five students in your classroom. Here are some ideas for sharing that technology in meaningful ways.
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1:10 RatioSo you have one device for each ten students in your class - great! You can still get students using tech! Click below for ideas.
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Rotations
If your students are anything like mine, you know they do well with structure and routine. That is especially true for using technology since students can't WAIT to get their hands on it. To ensure equitable access for all my students (and avoid headaches over students fighting for a device), I set up a weekly rotation. I adapted my Daily 5 routine to incorporate technology each day. If you're not familiar with Daily 5, it's a Language Rotation where students engage in five activities: read to self, read to someone, listen to reading, word work, and writing. This has absolutely transformed during the year into a Language/Tech Rotation that includes:
Below is a picture of the Daily 5 Board that helps keep us on track. I group students based on reading level as well as instructional needs. I laminate student names individually so I can change them around during the year, if needed.
- Read to self: Read Scholastic News and discuss with your group.
- Read to someone: Partner read to practice fluency and comprehension.
- iPad work: This is where I assign Seesaw task cards.
- Chromebook work: This is when students log into Google Classroom and complete the assignment of the week.
- Macbook work: Students log into iReady.com and practice individualized reading lessons.
Below is a picture of the Daily 5 Board that helps keep us on track. I group students based on reading level as well as instructional needs. I laminate student names individually so I can change them around during the year, if needed.
Each day, students have 25-30 minutes to engage in their Daily 5 station. I cannot stress enough how much my students looked forward to Daily 5 - no matter which station they were at on a particular day! They literally groaned if we had to skip a day, and they cheered and jaws dropped if we got to do two Daily 5 rotations in one day. It was absolutely a class favorite. Each morning, all I had to do was rotate the pictures on the left by shifting them down one space. The bottom image (read to a partner) gets moved to the Red group on top, and the rest all move down to the group below.
This rotation works, even if you have less technology! Perhaps, for you, only one group works on devices each day. No worries - at the end of the week, each group will have rotated through that station, meaning they had access to the tech! As you acquire more technology, you can modify your rotation to accommodate additional devices. During my first year teaching, I didn't have any technology during Daily 5. Then in my second year, I had five Macbooks. During that same year, I used DonorsChoose to fund five Chromebooks and four iPads. As we gained more devices, we modified our Daily 5 routine to allow more tech time!
This rotation works, even if you have less technology! Perhaps, for you, only one group works on devices each day. No worries - at the end of the week, each group will have rotated through that station, meaning they had access to the tech! As you acquire more technology, you can modify your rotation to accommodate additional devices. During my first year teaching, I didn't have any technology during Daily 5. Then in my second year, I had five Macbooks. During that same year, I used DonorsChoose to fund five Chromebooks and four iPads. As we gained more devices, we modified our Daily 5 routine to allow more tech time!