As 7th grade teachers are aware, improper use of cell phones is no longer a major issue in our classrooms. The misuse of Chromebooks has taken the top spot in many classrooms as the distraction of choice. Recently, I caught a trio of students, who all happened to have seats toward the back of the room, playing games on their devices while we were in the middle of a non-tech whole group activity. My first clue about their improper behavior was certainly the fact that they had their Chromebooks open at all. My second clue was that they seemed to be looking at each other's screens and whispering to each other. Knowing that they would quickly shut their Chromebooks if I even thought about walking toward them, I decided to go with a more innovative approach.
I simply asked them to bring their Chromebooks to the front of the class. I know just how quick and clever these students can be, so I suspected that when they handed me their devices, they would all be on a wonderfully educational Spanish-related website or activity. Guess what? I was absolutely right! They confidently walked back to their desks thinking they had pulled one over on this middle-aged middle school teacher.
Imagine their shock when I quickly pressed CTRL-SHIFT-T on each of their devices revealing their last closed tab. Madden Football. Madden Football. Madden Football. BINGO! There were oohs and aahs from the class as it dawned on all of them (even the well-behaved ones) that there truly is no place to hide when it comes to technology.
While I don't particularly like catching students doing things they aren't supposed to be doing, I think it is a valuable lesson when we remind them that in spite of the freedom that having these devices gives them each day, it still comes down to good choices and bad choices. And while it may be even more challenging this year to stay one step ahead of them, we do it because we care about their learning. Put this one in your repertoire and use it as needed. CTRL-SHIFT-T
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