Classroom Managment Tips with iPads - Black Screen Challenge

(The image above is of an anchor chart explaining the steps in the Black Screen Challenge.) 

 

When you hear "Black Screen Challenge!" follow these steps, as fast a possible!

1. Tap the power button to put your iPad to sleep.

2. Turn your iPad over so the screen is facing down.

3. Look at the person who said "Black Screen Challenge!"

(The images above are from a slide in the webinar I did for Wonder Workshop hosted by edWeb showing classroom managment strategies.)

I am working on a series for the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) blog on Positive Technological Development (PTD) and learning in a hybrid environment with Amanda Strawhacker. Our current post is on Choices of Conduct and I want to share the Black Screen Challenge. The Black Screen Challenge is a classroom managment strategy that I have been using for years. I can't remember who shared it with me. If you are reading this and it was you, please reach out and let me know so that I can give you credit! 

I would introduce the Black Screen Challenge when first using iPads with my students, typically in the primary grades. We would talk about the challenge and practice doing it before going off and working on their own. 

A few of the questions I would ask as I introduced it include:

• Why do you think we want the screens to be shut off?
• Why do you think we turn the iPads over?
• Why do you think we do it quick?
• Why do you think a teacher would need everyone to give their attention at the same time?
• What do you think should happen if someone doesn't follow the steps in the challenge?

(The image above shows a classroom of young students using iPads in pairs sitting on the classroom carpet.)

If everything would go as planned, the Black Screen Challenge allowed me to get the attention of a the class in a matter of seconds!

I hope this helps! Let me know what other strategies you have! 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Elementary School in Collaboration with ISTE

A topic that I am incredibly intersted in learning more about and the impact it has on education is Artificial Intelligence (AI). You can find some of my work regarding AI at the following places:

ISTE's AI Explorations Capstone Project

I created a unit on chatbots. Chatbots and ELA: 5th grade students create a chatbot that will chat from the mindset of a character in the book, The Vanishing Coin, after understanding how chatbots are created and what purpose they serve. They will also learn about a lead developer who works on chatbots.

ISTE Artificial Intelligence in Education - Elementary Educator Guide  

"The Hands-On AI Projects for the Classroom guides from ISTE and GM provide elementary, secondary, elective and computer science teachers with innovative curricular resources about AI across various grade levels and subject areas. Each guide includes background information and four student-driven projects that directly relate to subject area standards, while providing foundational learning on what AI is, how it works and how it impacts society."

CSTA Blog Post - Hybrid Learning to Support Children’s Positive Technological Development: Communication

Head over to the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) Blog to our latest post and read more about:

Hybrid Learning to Support Children’s Positive Technological Development: Communication

https://csteachers.org/Stories/hybrid-learning-to-support-children%E2%80%99s-positive-technological-development-communication 

Inquiry Based Research - A project in a 6th grade computer science classroom

Over the past few months I have been working with my friend Becky and her 6th grade Computer Science (CS) class. Her current learning situation is set at hybrid. Half of her class is in person with her in her classroom and the other half joins via Google Meet from their homes. We decided to see how we could support students in learning more about a CS topic of their choice through inquiry based research. 

You can learn more about our project at http://bit.ly/InquiryBasedResearch . We share resources for each step in the process as well as presentations we have created for online conferences. 

Early Childhood Technology - Webinar Series (Spring 2020)

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In response to distance learning due to COVID-19, we wanted to create a series of webinars to support educators and caregivers around the topic of Early Childhood Technology. I hosted the following webinars:

• ScratchJR at Home
• ABC's of STEAM
• KIBO at HOme
• How to Talk to Your Kids Without Giving Them the Answer
• Unplugged Activities
• Makerspaces
• A Round Table Discussion

You can learn more about these webinars and access the recordings and materials on https://sites.tufts.edu/devtech/biography/webinars/ . 

Picture Books for the Hour of Code (or anytime you want to teach computer science topics)

 Connecting Computer Science (CS) topics to picture books has been a favorite way for me to bring CS into elementary classrooms!!

Here are a few places you can go to find picture books that may help you too! 

Click here to view my Wakelet.

Common Phrases Adults Should Rethink

I've engaged in many conversations over the past few months with adults who are helping learners at home during distance learning due to COVID-19. A topic that often comes up is around the difficulty of the work and not knowing the answer or how to support their learner. 

I reached out to my friend Amanda Sullivan to get her permission to share information from her book Breaking the STEM Stereotype Reaching Girls in Early Childhood and we hope you find it helpful.

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