4 Classroom Management tools for Blended

One of the biggest questions I get while coaching teachers on how to implement blended learning into the classroom setting is, how do I manage and control the classroom while I am working with a small group of students.  My first advice to the teachers is to set high expectations for each rotation location.  Next, I like to implement classroom management tools that make the students want to be on their best behavior.  Below are my top four tools that I have helped to implement into the blended and personalized classroom setting.  

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Middle and High School

Free classroom management tool that can be implemented into any classroom setting.  This tools works really well in a blended learning environment where students are working at their own pace, place, and path. 

Classcraft is a customizable avatar game system that allows the students to earn individual and team points.  The characters can be customized to showcase the personality treats of each individual student.  I like using Classcraft with the middle and high school students in a blended learning classroom for the following reasons. 

• Increase student engagement
• Holds the students accountable for the actions
• The team and indiviual scores
• Power Ups:  Meaning they can earn prizes for the classroom
• Students can use and see their aviators on their own devices
• Turns learning, collaborating, and teaching into a realistic adventure. 

All Grade Levels 

ClassBadges is one of my go to classroom management tools not only for in the classroom but also while providing professional development trainings.  ClassBadges is a free reward system that allows the teacher to quickly give out badges for student accomplishments.  The following ways are how I use the badge system in my blended learning workshops and in a blended learning classroom. 

• Awarding badges for completing a project
• Teamwork rewards
• On task and staying focused during rotations
• Completing a standard or skill
• Mastering a concept that was taught in class

Elementary School

Free Classroom management tool that has been around for years but is still one of my favorite tools to use within the elementary classroom setting.  The new improvements and easy to use features makes this one of my go to tools when working with blended learning teachers.  

Class Dojo allows the teacher to quickly input the students into the classroom and monitor their positive and negative behaviors.  The teacher can display the points on the overhead projector as a class view or as individual students.  The following reasons are why I like ClassDojo. 

• The ease of being able to give points to the students
• Increased classroom behavior
• Whole class or individual rewards system
• Collaboration between other teachers
• Announcements to parents
• Instant communication with parents and school 
• Ability to send photos to the parents. 

Noise Control

The new online Too Noisy Tool is always one of the classroom management tools that I bring out during every training and classroom coaching session.  Too Noisy allows me to monitor the noise level while working with small groups of students.

In a blended learning classroom the students should be collaborating, communicating, using critical thinking skills, as well as being creative.  With all of that motion in the classroom, the noise level tends to go up as the students get more engaged.  Instead of always telling the students to lower the noise level, I use the online tool TooNoisy to help monitor the noise for me.  Students love being able to watch the happy face go from happy to sad once the noise level raises.  This tool still allows the students to talk and work together but at an appropriate noise level.  Try it out in your classroom!  

• Allows for the 4 C's to happen in the blended learning classoom
• Allows students to monitor their own noise level
• Turns ownership of the classroom over to the students