11 Tech tips for a smooth start to the year
It's that time once again!
A brand new school year looms on the horizon for many of us, which can be an exciting yet nerve wracking time for teachers and students alike. Starting the year with a solid digital plan can make all the difference.
To help you hit the ground running, I've rounded up 11 essential back-to-school tech tips to save you time, reduce barriers, and get your classroom running smoothly from the very first day.
Establish physical routines
Co-create clear habits with your students for handling devices to minimise damage. This could include strategies like teaching carrying with two hands, designating specific home stations for each device, and practising lids/screen down when you are giving instructions.
Teach visual and auditory cues
Use non-verbal signals to manage common instructions without interrupting the flow of the lesson, such as using hand gestures to signal 'screens down', or having students wait for a specific cue word before resuming their work.
Simplify logins
Reduce the time spent on frustrating password mishaps by streamlining the login process, such as using QR codes for easy logins, printing student account details on physical cards, or sharing a personal digital "password cheat sheet" with your students.
Set up new classes
Get your digital workspace ready for the new school year before the first day back, by archiving last year's classes, updating email groups, and ensuring all your digital tools are updated with your new roster.
Co-create a digital citizenship agreement
Build ownership and responsibility by involving students in setting the rules, such as creating a poster together that defines what it means to be kind, safe, and respectful online, and including a "Tech Contract" that students agree to in the first week.
Establish AI expectations and boundaries
Define how Artificial Intelligence fits into your classroom to prevent confusion, such as being explicit about when AI is a helpful tool for learning or when it is off-limits, while ensuring alignment with your school's policy.
Blog post: Students are already using AI - so what should we teach them?
Streamline your app toolkit
Prevent digital overwhelm by focusing on a select few high-impact tools, such as sticking to one platform for assignments and one for communication, rather than asking students to navigate several different apps each day.
Check out my Tool Library, a collection of high-impact tools across all areas of digital learning
Plan for tech trouble
Prepare for the inevitable tech-related problems so you don’t lose too much time, such as teaching a "Three Before Me" rule where students try to fix issues or ask a partner before coming to you, and creating a list of common errors and solutions that's clearly visible in your classroom.
Organise digital folders
Keep your own digital resources clean so you can find exactly what you need quickly, such as using consistent naming conventions and colour-coding your folders to save time during lesson planning.
Set up focus modes
Protect your own productivity by managing digital distractions on your devices, such as using "Focus" or "Do Not Disturb" modes during teaching time to block notifications while working with students.
Create a fast finishers station
Provide a productive digital space for students who finish their work early. This could include displaying a QR code or setting up a bookmark folder on student devices with curated, self-paced learning activities or enrichment tools that they can access independently.
Here’s to a smooth, stress-free, and tech-friendly start to the school year! If you ever need help troubleshooting issues, exploring new tools, or navigating AI policies, just reach out. You've got this!
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