Technology can bring wonderful experiences to learning in and out of the classroom. With all it's benefits, however, sometimes it's difficult to manage. Whether a classroom has one computer, five computers, a building computer lab, or one-to-one computing, it doesn't matter. Each situation has its challenges and benefits. Being able to manage technology assignments and projects in each environment will help ensure that technology is being used effectively by students.

Classroom Management and Configuration is a simple page that provides easy steps that can be taken to increase student productivity using one, several, or many computers. It's a good place to begin thinking about how to control student use of technology.

Single Computer

25:1 can be a difficult ratio of students to computers. Trying to give each student equal access to the computer can be nearly impossible. The following links provide tips and strategies to make the most of limited resources. In addition, teachers whose classrooms have several computers can still use many of the strategies described for one computer classrooms.

For a quick list, check out Ideas for the One Computer Classroom. Organization is the key using the technology effectively.

Marilyn Western, from Mt. Pleasant, MI, has developed Using 1 Computer in the Classroom. This page highlights a variety of strategies that can assist teachers who only have a single computer in their classroom. Included are activities for students, managing tips, links to other resources, and ways in which teachers can increase their own computer productivity.

That's Not a Drinking Fountain is a terrific description of management strategies for a one computer classroom.

Multiple Computers

Computer labs are a good way to provide near-equal access to all students in a school. Besides the traditional notion of dedicating a room to the computer lab, some schools are opting to purchase mobile labs of laptops computers, sometime called COWS (computers on wheels). Still other schools are exploring the possibilities of providing laptop computers to all students all the time.

Classroom management involving multiple computers is essential, because if students aren't managed they will manage themselves. Classroom Management in the Modern Classroom brings to light some possible issues related to students staying focused, on-task, and in control.

Part of classroom management is expectations. Henrico County Public Schools in Virginia has set Laptop Regulations for each student to follow.