Every good teacher knows his Harry Wong. That is, Harry Wong, the author of “The First Days of School: How To Be An Effective Teacher.” For beginning and veteran teachers everywhere, Mr. Wong has written a practical survival manual. A main crux of his approach is the development and implementation of classroom procedures. When students have a clear idea of how the class is supposed to run, they tend to have less discipline issues and learn more. I’ve been brainstorming about procedures for using the iPad in my classroom, and here’s what I’ve come up with so far.
As I anticipate students using the iPads en masse, I envision having difficulty keeping the kids on task with a particular assignment. The fact that the kids will be holding the iPads facing themselves means I won’t be able to see what they’re doing. Internet browsing, playing a favorite (albeit music-related) game or composition software, or just fiddling with different settings (eg, the background image) are all quite seductive. My solution is to implement a procedure I call “Flip ‘em 3-2-1.”
Here’s how it works. At any time, the students will be using their iPads, to read a piece of music, or to work on a composition or theory assignment. Regularly, and without warning, I will give the command, “Flip ‘em,” and count “3, 2, 1.” If, by the count of 1, a students’ iPad isn’t flipped over with the screen facing me, or if the screen (which will automatically adjust orientation so that ‘down’ is still ‘down’ when flipped over) isn’t on the correct app or assignment, they get ’5 minutes off’. The iPad is turned in (or the case is closed) for 5 minutes, and then the student may resume using it. A second infraction in the class period means the loss of the iPad for the day. I’ll have secondary paper-pencil assignments for the kids to do in case they have their iPad taken away for the day.
I think that the procedure will prove effective quickly, because the motivation for using this piece of technology is so high. Once kids see the procedure is implemented consistently, they will stay within the confines of the assignment for fear of losing the iPad for the day.
Posted by Dave Martin 
