"Oh no. The internet is broke!" You see their eyes widen as they look down at their device, their mouth drops in confusion and they immediately start looking frantically for their teacher, you have a student that is lost in the digital world. Maybe it's a dropped internet connection, a forgotten username/password or a webpage that only partially loads, but whatever the cause the digital malady that results is many times the same- sheer panic. The following is a simple protocol that I've taught my students that has greatly increased our digital success and minimized our technology freak outs.
When something doesn't work as it should...
1. Try It Again, Three Times
We've all had that weird glitch where we click on a button and nothing happens, then we click on it again, and voila, it suddenly works- like it's suppose to. I make it a point to teach them NOT to ask me the first time something doesn't work and that many times when something hiccups, it may not be your fault just stay cool and try a few more times.
2. Try Several Different Ways
I teach them that sometimes the glitch is our fault, and sometimes it's the computer's. If it doesn't work one way try another. Are you clicking on the right link/button? Did you spell everything correctly? Do you have an internet connection? Teach your students to ask, "How else can I solve this problem?"
3. Ask a Neighbor
I also teach my students that the answer you need for your technology woes could be as close as your fellow student sitting next to you. Instead of just teaching that my students should ask other students for help, I also teach them that they should be proactive in helping others that need it too. I share with them that they shouldn't just watch someone struggling, they are my co-teachers and they should help others as well.
4. Ask the Teacher
Finally, if all else has failed, they can ask the teacher and we'll work until we get it fixed. Once I installed this digital routine I found that the instances of students getting to the point where they needed my assistance with their digital needs significantly decreased.
Bonus: In Class Help Desk
Employ those students that are already adept at technology as class tech helpers by establishing official tech support roles in your class. This can be manned on a rotational basis and give motivation to many students to develop their digital and collaborative skills.
My class went from a near constant slew of hands being raised by students trying to remedy their digital conundrums to a class of empowered students not intimidated by technological problems. The best lesson my students learn beyond just fixing the occasional glitch is that they can persevere, devise multiple solutions for a problem and get help from their friends.
Twitter: @WilCodilla
When something doesn't work as it should...
1. Try It Again, Three Times
We've all had that weird glitch where we click on a button and nothing happens, then we click on it again, and voila, it suddenly works- like it's suppose to. I make it a point to teach them NOT to ask me the first time something doesn't work and that many times when something hiccups, it may not be your fault just stay cool and try a few more times.
2. Try Several Different Ways
I teach them that sometimes the glitch is our fault, and sometimes it's the computer's. If it doesn't work one way try another. Are you clicking on the right link/button? Did you spell everything correctly? Do you have an internet connection? Teach your students to ask, "How else can I solve this problem?"
3. Ask a Neighbor
I also teach my students that the answer you need for your technology woes could be as close as your fellow student sitting next to you. Instead of just teaching that my students should ask other students for help, I also teach them that they should be proactive in helping others that need it too. I share with them that they shouldn't just watch someone struggling, they are my co-teachers and they should help others as well.
4. Ask the Teacher
Finally, if all else has failed, they can ask the teacher and we'll work until we get it fixed. Once I installed this digital routine I found that the instances of students getting to the point where they needed my assistance with their digital needs significantly decreased.
Bonus: In Class Help Desk
Employ those students that are already adept at technology as class tech helpers by establishing official tech support roles in your class. This can be manned on a rotational basis and give motivation to many students to develop their digital and collaborative skills.
My class went from a near constant slew of hands being raised by students trying to remedy their digital conundrums to a class of empowered students not intimidated by technological problems. The best lesson my students learn beyond just fixing the occasional glitch is that they can persevere, devise multiple solutions for a problem and get help from their friends.
Twitter: @WilCodilla