Tech Tools - Classwize

 Today's tech tool is more useful in more ways that many initially think.

At first glance, most think of device monitoring software as just that... a way to keep an eye on what your students are doing on their devices during your class. If you take some time and think about it less as a disciplinary tool, and more of a feedback tool.

When talking with some of my colleagues about rolling out Classwize, I was often told to get ready for an influx of discipline referrals pertaining to Chromebook use. I didn't understand why it would lead to an increase in referrals. I think if you're using this correctly, it will lead to a decrease in device related referrals.

No matter which monitoring software you use, don't use it as a "gotcha" tool. Students want to go to explore the internet. They want to discover. They want to find what's out there. That's a good thing... in moderation. Use this as a tool to guide them, and to spark a conversation about why they're being redirected.

Anyway, I made a quick training video about using Classwize. Keep in mind that the feature set in Classwize can be different based on how your school system is set up. There are available features we do not have. Check it out.

Do you use Classwize? What's your favorite part about it. If you don't use Classwize, how do you think your district's monitoring solution stacks up? Drop a comment below or on the YouTube page and let me know what you think.