First - there is no right or wrong on this. We are providing suggestions and tips on what has worked for us and our groups of students and we believe it will work for you ... but be mindful of your students and the rules for your school/district.
Tip #1: Assign your devices
Have the same student(s) use the same device every time. We recommend numbering the devices - littles recognize numbers quicker than letters. And from our experience, numbering students, whether it's desks or cubbies, etc, is a very normal part to a primary classroom, so this builds off of what is already in place.
If you are in a 1:1 situation, great! Assign each student their own number. If you are in a shared device situation, attach BOTH numbers on the device to help students identify theirs.
Tip #2: Create to - and stick to - a simple routine of getting devices out, (and putting them back)
Sending young students to the cart to pick up their device MUST be done in an organized manner. From the beginning, setting up this routine is CRUCIAL. Don't depend on the students to correctly identify their devices ... an adult should be providing that guidance, as well as keeping space between students and reminding them how to properly carry their device back to their seat.
Tip #3: Simplify the login procedure as much as possible
I love the ability to have a QR code login, but if your district doesn't have that, keeping this simple is critical to keeping your sanity. Quite often, devices can remember at least the username after the initial login. Students then can master their passwords.
THIS PART WILL TAKE A LOT OF TIME & PATIENCE! But it is super important to practice ... the more the better. Even if it's the ONLY thing you do with your device for the first couple of weeks, mastering getting the devices out and logging in will build your students independence for this part quickly.
Bonus tip -- as much of a headache as this part can be, if your students HAVE to do a full login every time they open their device, this will become part of the process. It becomes "normal" very quickly. You can even "dangle a carrot" by rewarding those who can log in independently with "fun time" on simple websites like ABCya or Starfall.
Tip #4: NO food or drinks near devices. Ever.
We can't stress this enough. Water bottles get put on the floor or in cubbies BEFORE devices come out. NEVER have snacks around devices. Never. Ever.
Liquid spills almost certainly lead to damage of devices. It may not be immediate, but a it's good motto is "Liquid and electronics NEVER mix." Food particles - or dirty fingers - will "gunk up" devices quickly and can most definitely interfere with the performance. Primary students greatly respect their teachers and by building this habit, future teachers will thank you!
Tip #5: Believe your students CAN.
It's a myth our littles are "digital natives". It's true they have had access to and devices since they were born, but it's only when someone TEACHES them how to use it that it will be used well.
They aren't necessarily timid about using technology, but don't assume they KNOW HOW to use it, or use it properly.
Using technology in school is quite different than using technology at home. Talk about this. Remind your kiddos about the rules consistently. Remind them about routines.
Littles CAN and WILL use technology ... how well? That's up to you. Talking with your grade level and future year teachers will also pay off if you can all agree to the same rules, procedures, and routines.
We have found there is very few things the "littles" can't do with devices. Give the proper time, patience, and scaffolding, and they CAN accomplish it!
Do you have suggestions on how to handle devices in your classroom?
Please let us know how it went with your students -- Did you leave it as is? Did you modify it? Leave a comment below or tag us on social media.
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