1 to 1 Quick Tips

Do you have a quick tip about learning in a 1 to 1 school?  Please share by contacting us.

Step away from the workbook
Your school didn't spend millions of dollars on infrastructure, training, and computers so they could save paper.  1 to 1 isn't about the computer, its about how you can leverage the technology to impact learning.  You gave worksheets and multiple choice quizzes because thats all you had before.  That time is over.  You now have the whole world at your, and your students' fingertips.

Don't sit down
You didn't give the power of the world-wide web to every student to stand in front of them and lecture, and sitting at your desk is an open license for students to be off-task.  Move around the room and check in with random students.  Think of the constant motion as behavior monitoring and formative assessment checks all in one.

Let students learn independently
Independent learning should be the ultimate goal, but you have to practice.  Your students have an independent learning machine in their hand, so its time to slow down on the 'Sit-n-Git' method.  This will free you up to bounce around the room and 'spot teach' where you need to and allow those who can learn independently do so.

Get a PLN
You can't do this alone--you need a Professional Learning Network.  Face to face support is great, but there is a world of experience and knowledge out there.  If you are doing this right, the endless possibilities are enough to overwhelm you to the point of inaction.  Start a Twitter account; just watch some Twitter chats such as #1to1techat, ask questions--everyone is happy to share and guide.  Start reading more blogs.  Books are sometimes obsolete by the time they are printed.

Try a project
Projects aren't just for dessert anymore.  A good project can teach content, not just present what you have already taught. Get crazy and make your own project. Too crazy?  Search for projects online and find one that would be fun for your kids and tweak it for your class.  Let them build, explore, and create.  Jump off the bridge with no parachute and give the kids choices of fun projects they can do.

Build a website
Move your class into the digital world by creating a digital classroom.  You can curate content resources and lesson plans and provide a digital meeting place for you class.  An LMS is a one-size-fits-all approach, but might help the transition toward a customized websites that meets your needs.

Give up a little control
The limitless options available to you in a 1 to 1 environment should be available to your kids too.  Your student now have a tool with the potential to personalize their learning or at the very least provide a variety of choices in how they demonstrate their understanding. 


Its time to experiment
Your class is now a learning laboratory with the knowledge and creative tools of the entire world at your fingertips.  Try new things.  You will fail, but that is how we learn--you will be a model for your students, and they will respect your bravery.  Talk to your students about how they would like to learn about a particular topic.

Present, publish, and share
The need for knowledge is changing.  Learning is changing.  Assessment must change too.  Multiple choice, true/false, and turning in papers needs to evolve into presenting, publishing, and sharing.  Invite the community in, Skype, have students publish blogs, or have them teach another class something.