<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is an article written by Michael Linson for his blog Smart Classroom Management<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the American Heart Association, children ages 8-18 spend an average of more than 7 hours a day on their phones, playing video games, or watching TV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s a staggering statistic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But here\u2019s the kicker: That was before the pandemic. Now, because so many schools are online, and with social and athletic activities on hold, that number is surely higher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014Which means an even greater risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, anxiety, depression, low motivation, and falling further and further behind in school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This underscores the importance for us to do our part in limiting their screen time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I feel strongly about this topic and for years have pushed for less<\/em> technology in the classroom, not more\u2014which we\u2019ll be sure to cover in detail in a future article. More urgently, however, is the question of what we can do about it right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How can we limit screen time for our students when it\u2019s the only way they can access learning?<\/p>\n\n\n\n And how do we get around the substantial number of hours schools and districts are mandating we teach online lessons?<\/p>\n\n\n\n The answer is to focus on independent work.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re a longtime reader of SCM, then you know that weaning students off the scourge of learned helplessness, poor work habits, weak motivation, short attention spans, and low levels of pride and self-worth through a greater push toward independence<\/a> is one of our core principles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Great teachers are those that are able to teach compelling lessons and then shift 100% responsibility for actually doing the work\u2014performing, responding, answering, solving, creating, building, etc.\u2014over to students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So how does this translate online?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not perfectly, of course. Nearly everything is made more difficult in a virtual environment. But it\u2019s doable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s how in five steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step #1 \u2013 Have one objective.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This may be teaching 101, but few teachers actually do it. While online in particular, you must, must, must teach lessons that show students one thing<\/em> they must be able to do or know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Otherwise, you will lose them to boredom, distraction, and confusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step #2 \u2013 Make it short.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep your lessons brief. Do not digress or over-talk<\/a>. Do not waste time. Efficiently as you\u2019re able, teach that one objective and then move on to the next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure you\u2019re able to show them via a document camera or Zoom whiteboard exactly what they\u2019ll be doing. Leave the rest on the cutting room floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step #3 \u2013 Check for understanding.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Distance learning via Zoom or Google Meet lends itself well to checking for understanding. Your students can simply hold up a sheet of paper or small whiteboard to the camera that proves they know and understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It can be an example, a sketch, a solution, a response, an answer to a question, or the first part of their assignment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step #4 \u2013 Have them work in front of you.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This step underscores the importance of making sure students have their camera turned on<\/a>\u2014which, despite the many justifications for not doing so\u2014is both critical to learning and doable for all students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is always a workaround.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Step #5 \u2013 Use pencil and paper only.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Let them work silently without frequent need to look up at their screen or check in with you. Push for longer and longer work times as the weeks go by.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Have them complete their work using good ol\u2019 lead and timber\u2014which has unique benefits that we\u2019ll also cover in the future\u2014while you observe from your end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ratio<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I recommend a ratio of 1:4\u2014that is, your lesson to their independent work time. This way, you cut way down on their screen time while at the same time accelerating improvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You also improve those areas so critical to learning (i.e. stamina, focus, motivation, and pride in doing well).<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is a lot to the topic of independent learning and why, done right, it can be so remarkably effective. If you have questions, please check out the Learning & Independence<\/a> category of the archive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n